Wijnhaveneiland Rotterdam [NL]

Wijnhaven (‘Wine Harbour’) Island  lies at a strategic point between Rotterdam’s city centre and the River Maas. Allowing market forces free rein should ensure the accelerated transformation of this area into a lively city quarter. The application of a dynamic transformation model means that the location, form and dimensions of the buildings are not predetermined. Instead, Wijnhaven Island will develop gradually through the operation of the free market and the enforcement of a number of rules in an open-ended strategy.

The rules of the transformation model dictate that the existing urban block structure will be maintained to a height of 20 metres. High-rise construction is permitted above this height, providing it meets specific conditions pertaining to freehold boundaries, daylight penetration, sunlight, views, setbacks and wind nuisance. The maximum built volume is 22 cubic metres per square metre of land. This stipulation results in buildings which become more slender as their height increases, in turn ensuring sunlight and daylight penetration at ground level. Subsequently, the financial implications of slender buildings also regulates the construction height in the area.  As such, this dynamic transformation model is a zoning scheme that achieves a balance between the market’s demand for maximum building capacity and the realization of a vibrant­ urban appearance.


Client Municipality of Rotterdam, dS+V, Rotterdam
Program Flexible masterplan for the transformation of a 40.000 m2 area for living, working and leisure
Time 1996 - present
Role Masterplanner