Public lecture by Marco Vermeulen
A public lecture by Marco Vermeulen on the "Water Atlas" - a design-based research into the current and future use of the inner-city Nieuwe Maas. Saturday 04 July at 10:30 - 12:00 as part of the studio Harbours are for Swimming.
The Water Atlas
Currently, in Rotterdam, water use is only considered within the context of area development or in response to a specific market initiative. There is a lack of city-wide spatial policy for water. This is necessary, however, because space on the water and along the quays is scarce, while at the same time water is important for the city's livability, health, development opportunities, and ecology
In this public lecture, Marco Vermeulen will explain how as the port is moving westward, and many port activities disappeared from the city, the river has been discovered as an important 'central park' in the heart of the city, offering sweeping vistas, tranquility, and space for new urban and ecological developments. But while the city is increasingly orienting itself towards the river, the former harbour basins remain largely empty and untouched, even though the potential of all that water is enormous.
The Water Atlas is a design-based study into the current and future use of the inner-city Nieuwe Maas, centering on the following research question: How can we better utilise the water of the inner-city Nieuwe Maas while taking into account the requirements and wishes of the water users, the residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods, the identity and size & scale of the water, and the future developments of the city?
Programme
10:00 Doors open
10:30-12:00 Lecture by Marco Vermeulen
About Marco Vermeulen
Marco Vermeulen is trained as an architect and urban planner at Eindhoven University of Technology and founded his own design and research firm in Rotterdam in 1999. As a versatile generalist, he seeks synergy between challenges such as sustainable energy, circular economy, climate adaptation, regional identity, and food production. His studio is often involved in projects that connect climate change with spatial quality and architecture. He integrates contemporary issues at various scales into spatial design or an inspiring vision for the future. As a critical team player, Marco quickly gets to the core of a project, identifies opportunities, and efficiently guides his team. He was the chief curator of the Landscape Biennale 2021 and presented his vision on plant-based materials during Dutch Design Week 2019 and in VPRO’s Tegenlicht broadcast 'Houtbouwers' (Wood Builders).