New recreation area near the centre of Hardenberg also serves as water storage
During extreme precipitation, water can be collected in the Kruserbrink park. A separate rainwater sewer system discharges excess rainwater from Hardenberg city centre to the nearby park. On other days, the area is used for recreational purposes and nature.
The restructuring of Hardenberg city centre posed a major challenge to the municipality and the district water board. Initially, 26 sub-projects would be launched. For each of these projects, a water assessment would have to be conducted, an instrument intended to factor in water and climate issues in spatial planning. During a meeting, the idea arose to draw up an integrated plan for the entire city centre, with water as its point of departure. Both spatial developments and the urban water tasking have been incorporated into this plan.
This has resulted in the construction of an over-dimensioned rainwater sewer system in the city centre restructuring process. A separate rainwater sewer ensures that rainwater is no longer discharged along with waste water. Instead, rainwater is discharged to the nearby Kruserbrink park. The quays in the park have been designed in a manner that ensures that initially only part of the park fills with water. In the event of an excessive supply of water, the authorities may decide to also inundate the sports section of the park.
The former Kruserbrink park no longer met the requirements of residents, users, and the municipality. As a result of the integrated approach, the park now serves several purposes: the park can be used as a water storage facility, while its recreational and nature functions have been improved. For example, a high-grade skate track has been constructed and an assortment garden has been set up which is used by an agricultural college.
In future restructuring projects, the municipality and the district water board also intend to disconnect rainwater downspouts from the regular sewer system and instead discharge rainwater to the park. The design has already been prepared.
Lessons learned from the project
- The project could be realised because the participants looked beyond their own project goals.
- A win-win situation facilitates the process.
- A project group needs people with mandate and budget authorities.
Contact person
Bart Visser
Bestuursdienst Ommen-Hardenberg
0523-289171
Bart.visser@ommen-hardenberg.nl