Water Square in Tiel

The water square in the Vogelbuurt district in Tiel-Oost officially opened in 2016. During dry periods, the square serves as a place for play and social activities, while during heavy rainfall it temporarily stores excess water. The construction of the water square was an important step in making the Vogelbuurt more climate resilient and formed part of the programme Tiel-Oost Drier and More Attractive.

Within this programme, the municipality and the water board worked together with residents to create an attractive and liveable neighbourhood that is better prepared for water and climate challenges, now and in the future. The programme started in 2010 and was formally adopted by both the municipality and the water board.

Together with other measures, such as disconnecting rainwater from the sewer system, installing water-permeable paving and improving drainage, the water square helps reduce flooding in the low-lying neighbourhood. The area has long experienced problems caused by high groundwater levels and seepage from the nearby river Waal. De Urbanisten, also known for the water square in Rotterdam, designed a solution that combines water storage with recreation and social interaction.

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.

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