In the ‘Hart van de Waalsprong,’ DE URBANISTEN designed the public space for a new, compact centre in Nijmegen, located directly across the river Waal from the historic city center. This lively district combines 11,500 m² of commercial space with 450 homes, all organized around a series of intimate and inviting public spaces. Moving away from traditional car-oriented shopping centres, the design focuses on a diverse, human-scale environment.
The main entrance for motorized traffic is on the northern side of the area. Cars are guided immediately to a central parking facility that is embedded within the built structures. By doing so, most of the public spaces in the centre will be free of cars and fully dedicated to bikes and pedestrians. Shared mobility is offered to all residents.
The main square is the beating heart of the new district. Around the square you can find a diversity of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and cafés. The square itself is suitable for both everyday use and special events like weekly markets or seasonal events. With temperatures rising, the fountain on the central square of Hart van Waalsprong offers a much-needed moment of refreshment during summer. The shopping centre will also be the first energy-neutral shopping centre in the Netherlands.
The main square is situated along the Rietgraaf. This old landscape structure connects the centre with the surrounding neighborhood and the station of Lent. A generous green street with a swale links the square to the wide-open landscape of the Waal. Additionally, a small area with steps leading down to the water of the ‘singel’ provides a peaceful spot to rest and enjoy the view of the historic fortification of ‘Beneden Lent’.
Sustainability is fully integrated into the design. The concept of the ‘sponge’ is elaborated in a water-sensitive design with raingardens and wadi’s, permeable pavements and rain streets, blue-green roofs, and the reuse of water within buildings. Green spaces and tree-lined roads provide shade in the summer and provide other ecosystem services.
Location | Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Year | 2018 – 2025
Clients | AM and Van Wonen
Status | Final design, completed
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