Center inner city Zwolle
Strengthening the economic and cultural position
The development program focuses on strengthening Zwolle’s economic and cultural position and creating a more green, attractive and future-proof city center.
Assignment
Giving direction to future developments and steering towards important choices within the limited space in the center of Zwolle
Resultaat
Development program ‘Ons Stadshart van Morgen’
Location
Centre inner city Zwolle
Client
Municipality of Zwolle
Collaboration
B+B urbanism and landscape architecture, Studio Bereikbaar, Stadkwadraat BV and Merosch
Period
2020 – 2021
Marco Broekman, Robert ten Elsen, Milja Hartikainen, Rebecca Smink and Viktoria Papoutsidaki.
A future-proof city centre
Zwolle will be confronted with inner-city growth in the future, as a result of which the city center will grow within its existing boundaries. As a result, more people will work, live and recreate in the area. Important choices have to be made about the limited space, often in the areas of housing, mobility and economic and cultural capital. The ‘Ons Stadshart van Morgen’ development program therefore focuses on further strengthening Zwolle’s economic and cultural position and creating a more green, attractive and future-proof city center for both its residents and (international) visitors.
The development of a strong and well-connected Singel structure around the historic city center is the driving force behind the development programme.
The development principles
In ‘Ons Stadshart van Morgen’, the development principle (1) green and climate-adaptive city is seen as a precondition for realizing the future-proof city center. The development of a strong and well-connected canal structure around the historic city center is therefore the engine of the development programme. The Singelzone thus acquires a cohesive function that connects the city center and adjoining key areas. Other development principles for the future-proof city are (2) The sustainable and circular city, (3) The enterprising and creative city, (4) The city on a human scale and (5) The accessible city.
Strengthening the connecting main streets between the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods is an important step in the development of the center.
Key areas
The Singelzone provides a better connection between the core districts of Noorderkwartier, Roelenkwartier and Willems Knoop/Stationsbuurt. Important developments are planned in these key areas that will add qualities, restore connections and further strengthen the city centre. In addition to strengthening the Singelzone, strengthening the main streets as a connecting piece between the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods is also an important step in the development of the center. By diversifying and enriching experiences in public space, more meaningful places can be created for visitors and residents in the district and its neighbourhoods.
