Water Square in Tiel
A water square – climate adaptation in an urban area. In dry times, a playground and meeting place. In wet times, a temporary pond. The water square in the Vogelbuurt district in Tiel-Oost officially opened on 6 July 2016. The construction of the water square is the final achievement of future-proofing the Vogelbuurt district, and one of the measures from the “Tiel-Oost drier and prettier” programme. In this programme, the municipality and district water board worked with residents on creating an attractive and liveable district in which “life with water” is a reality for both now and in the future. The programme was ratified by the executive councils of the district water board and the municipality in 2010. In combination with other measures such as disconnecting rainwater from drains, water-permeable paving, and drainage, the water square must bring an end to the pluvial flooding that the low-lying district has experienced for years. Flooding that is amplified by high groundwater levels and the seepage of water due to the district’s location next to the river Waal. The Urbanisten (known for the water square in Rotterdam) designed a technical solution that also invites people to the square for recreation and to meet each other.
Results
The design of the water square came about with the input of the residents of the Vogelbuurt district and pupils from the adjacent primary school, De Achtbaan. During dry periods, the water square is an inviting spot where neighbourhood residents can meet and children can play. There is a sports court, a rink for everything on small wheels, and there are small islands. There are benches and rubbish bins; there is lighting and even apple trees. A red brick “snake” winds around the square. Its “head” forms the highest point and has edges that children can climb and slopes they can slide down. This has created an adventurous route around the lower-lying sports basin from which the neighbourhood children can look out over the square.
translation: Everything you can do on the water square: Play sports, go on adventures, relax, relax + watch others, everything on small wheels, playground for the little ones
How the Water Square works
The flanks of the square feature two natural basins, which are the first places to fill up with water during a rainstorm, and where stepping stones entice children to play. During a rainstorm, the square receives the rainwater in four basins from the schoolyard and the immediate vicinity. The rainwater then slowly sinks into the ground. During extremely heavy rainstorms, the central section that is designed as a sports court is also flooded. It then temporarily becomes a shallow pond. The water square can store a maximum of 550 m3 of rainwater. The water is then 70 cm deep. The rainwater then gradually drains away via the rainwater drain to a canal. The sports court is painted in clear shades of blue; the result of a participation project involving schoolchildren. The construction of the water square was made possible by a contribution from Future Cities and the Province of Gelderland within the framework of Incentive Funds.
Contact persons
Daan Willems
Waterschap Rivierenland
+31(0)6-10718734
d.willems@wsrl.nl
Mirjam Bussink
Gemeente Tiel
+31(0)344-637312
mbussink@tiel.nl