Location

Groningen

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Client

Municipality of Groningen, municipality of Midden-Groningen

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Period

February-July 2021

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Team

Floris van der Zee, Basia van Rijt (previous: Margaux Demange)

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Assignment

Development of an integral spatial vision for the A7 corridor

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Collaboration

Strootman Landscapsarchitecten, Stec groep, InVra plus B.V.

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Status

Completed

In between Groningen and Hoogezand-Sappemeer lies a varied landscape of lakes and linear settlements. Here, several developments, ambitions and infrastructure come together. The area is bisected by an economic corridor, the A7 highway, where several working areas are situated. Along the corridor new challenges have been arising as a consequence of growing needs for business locations, space for housing, sustainable energy generation and recreational networks. Proper coordination and direction is required for allowing different economic, recreational and ecological interests to coexist with each other. BURA urbanism was part of a team together with Strootman Landschapsarchitecten, Stec Groep and InVra Plus. Together, the team has created an integral spatial perspective that provides a vision on economic and landscape development for the Gemeente Groningen and Midden Groningen.  

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The economic and spatial perspective for the A7-corridor provides an answer on the following question: 'What are the opportunities for economic development of the A7 corridor, considering the urban context and sustainable future?'

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Five ambitions

The final result is a spatial vision consisting of five ambitions that serve as a guideline for a sustainable, qualitative and integral development of the project area. It includes the following five ambitions:

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1. A strong and well-connected green cultural landscape: 
   Spatial developments should be based on and respect the existing (structural) qualities of the characteristic ribbon landscape. Furthermore, use solid landscape elements in order fit in new developments properly. 
    

2. Soft transitions between the city and it’s hinterland with strong entrances: 
   Create a clear, green and robust network consisting of green blue 'entrances' and green lobes, in order to give the city dweller the opportunity to pleasantly take a stroll in nature. 
    

3. A climate-positive low peat belt:
   Solve different tasks in an integrated way and make the peat belt climate positive. 
    

4. An attractive living and working environment:
   Create an attractive and adaptive living environment that has the capacity to mitigate different aspects of future development. 
    

5. An unifying recreational network:
   Strengthen the recreational network and thus the connection between the city and surroundings.

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