The September issue of the Blauwe Kamer traditionally focuses on the best graduation work in urban development and landscape architecture of the past academic year. MTD landscape architects congratulates two new colleagues, Jyoti Ghosal and Steffie Lenaers, whose graduation work is in the spotlight in the magazine de Blauwe Kamer.
First of all, urban designer Jyoti, her graduation work ‘Amsterdam Waterstad - Flows in opposite directions’, an exploration of the water challenges around Amsterdam in 2100. She concludes that the current system wastes fresh water, while shortages threaten in the future, with an estimated tipping point around 2050. At that time, the ebb will be as high as the inland water. Natural discharge will then no longer be possible and a complete dependency on the pumping stations will arise. Jyoti's design introduces a reversed water system, in which a water line with natural water forts around Amsterdam collects fresh water. This system serves as protection against flooding and shortages. The Marineterrein is transforming into a highly urban testing ground for innovative water solutions and as an example of the future-proof city.
In her graduation project ‘De Groene Boulevard’, Steffie responds to the radical transformation of the Spoorzone in ’s-Hertogenbosch. She sees opportunities for realizing a robust green-blue network by developing two nature reserves on either side of the Spoorzone. A unique quality of the plan is that the traffic bottleneck, the Oude Vlijmenseweg, is transformed into a green boulevard, with the Brabanthallen as an important entrance. Traffic is separated and the maximum speed is reduced, while the attention for cyclists and pedestrians ensures a socially safe place. The profile of the road is made as green as possible, both lengthwise and transversely.
