The development plan for the Kartesius green area in the municipality of Utrecht provides an insight into the public space for robust future living environments. In four areas, clear attention is paid to green and blue space that is safe for exercise for all ages and unprogrammed spaces that residents can fill in themselves.
“The ideal foundation for a healthy living environment lies in the appliances, or the built environment.” According to Cartesiusdriehoek CV, the consortium behind the development of the area, this is about greening and climate adaptation, good and safe infrastructure, meeting places and playing space.
The “soft” side of the neighbourhood, the social and human component, were also taken into account. He says about it New development plan Explain too.
The public space in the Kartesios district will consist of four different areas, each with its own focus on mobility, quality of accommodation or facilities. These are CAB Square, Kartesios Park, the Green Ring and the intermediate streets.
About the CAB building that served The CAB yard of the same name is located opposite the NS National Bus Services as a large regional bus repair shop. This will be the center and living room of the neighborhood with catering facilities in the corners.
The CAB building will also house the living laboratory, through which research on healthy urban living will be conducted. Space will also be given to initiatives from the same neighborhood there.
Kartesios Park will be a (partially noise-free) area, intended mainly for slower users, such as pedestrians, disabled people in wheelchairs and children.
Sharing gardens and water feature
The park will consist of a neighborhood park, open space, sharing gardens and a water feature. The participating gardens will be transferred to the municipality after they are completed.
The gardens will be given a programmatic design in which residents will participate. The municipality hopes that residents will also carry out maintenance work. This is in line with the movement “Self-management space in Kartisiusdryhoek”. Areas of approximately 600 and 400 square meters have been allocated for this purpose.
The Green Ring is planned on the edges next to the railway, and is the most public and green area in the area. The green ring is the main access point for cars. There is also parking space for some shared cars.
The intermediate streets will become quiet residential streets linking the park and the green ring, for people, plants and animals, according to the municipality.
Exceeded clearance standard
In the Green Ring and Kartesios Park, the emphasis is on sports, games, meetings and relaxation. The outdoor areas are designed for all ages and, according to the developers, are safe enough for children ages 6 to 12 to play without supervision.
The plan states that neighborhood play will not only consist of formal play facilities. According to the organization, informal play space such as “challenge paths” on the green loop and water features on the CAB plaza will also invite exercise.
“Thanks to this integrated approach, Cartesius exceeds the play space standard of the municipality of Utrecht, which stipulates that 5 percent of the outdoor space should be suitable for play and sports.”
Traffic takes care of itself
The infrastructure in Kartesios must be clear enough so that traffic regulates itself, according to the development plan. However, there is an emphasis on safety and space for pedestrians and cyclists. The pedestrian walkways are designed wide. With twisted roads, according to the municipality, the maximum speed for cars is imposed at 30 km/h.
CABplein and Cartesius Park will only be accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. “Convenient and attractive routes with slow traffic are a priority in Kartesios,” the developers write.
To entice residents to take a walk, much attention has been paid to a diverse environment. According to the authors of the plan, visitors choose their own route with informal comfort and seating facilities with transitions between rooms.
Delft pier
Overall, the public space in the Kartesios area should offer residents peace and relaxation, with plenty of opportunities to meet and interact, according to the municipality. According to the plan's authors, it meets the requirements “Blue Zone Ambition”: A living environment that helps you live long, healthy and happy.
The appliances, which, according to the autobiography of Cartesius Dryhoek, are the ideal foundation for a healthy living environment, would already be in place when the first inhabitants moved in. It is then up to residents to make the neighborhood healthier wherever possible.
A clear example of this is the Delvesti Pavement, a space between public and private. “Residents can take over the Delft sidewalk or replace it locally with open ground for climbing plants, so that a facade garden is created or green facades become possible.”
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