Lakenplein square in Leiden being converted into Laken Park
The city of Leiden has completed the first council housing project featuring climate adaptation as a primary element in the construction tasking. The set-up of the Lakenplein Square Climate-Proof, Water-Conscious, and Attractive project has proven a success. The collective efforts of the Portaal housing corporation, the municipality of Leiden, the Rijnland district water control board, Dunea water company, the architect, the construction company and local residents (among whom representatives of the adjoining playground association) have managed to future-proof a restructuring project in Leiden city centre.
The result, a compact Zero on the Meter housing block, comprises indoor parking facilities and is surrounded by plenty of greenery. The outdoor spaces have been geared to the collection of torrential rain. Rainwater buffers in the soil reduce the impact of prolonged periods of drought. Lots of greenery, featuring large groups of trees, help to reduce urban warming. This makes the area an ideal and attractive place to live, now and in the future. Climate adaptation thus visibly enhances the living environment.
Results
By working together from the earliest planning stage, the aims and interests of many different stakeholders could be brought together. This differs from more traditional processes, where parties often review each other’s proposals one after another, leaving little room to contribute their own ideas. Because the process was led by an independent party without direct interests, participants were able to discuss plans openly.
During the development of the final housing design, attention to climate adaptation unfortunately became less prominent. As a result, not all parts of the project were designed in the most climate-resilient and water-conscious way. A fully climate-resilient approach means reducing rainwater discharge to the sewer system as much as possible and preferably allowing water to infiltrate locally. In particular, the homes themselves could have made better use of solutions such as rainwater use and water-saving measures.
At the same time, many climate-adaptive measures were included. Large amounts of greenery were added and the outdoor space was designed with climate resilience in mind. Rainwater can be retained, and the public space is designed to better cope with heavy rainfall while also creating room for biodiversity. Parking spaces were kept as small as possible and built with water-permeable materials. Wadis were also added to collect excess rainwater during heavy showers.
Trees provide cooling, shade and a more attractive living environment. In addition, plans were developed for green embankments along the Katoenpark, a water connection between the Binnenvestgracht and the Singel, and a water play area for older children. Residents can also contribute by managing rainwater more consciously in their own outdoor spaces, for example through front gardens and green terraces.
Many parties involved were new to the topic of climate adaptation. The project devoted ample time to the sharing of expertise and skills. The collaboration on a specific location proved refreshing, in particular on account of the diversity of the participants. This form of collaboration between a municipality and a housing corporation is new. Immediately involving all sections of the organisation is difficult yet essential. It calls for an administrative statement and administrative guidance. Everyone was given homework to do: what can be done within one’s own organisation and in collaboration with others in order to ensure that a climate-resilient approach will be a matter of course in the future? Many agreements were made to collectively explore opportunities for further collaboration. The optimum goal is a climate-adaptation agenda. This project constitutes a perfect basis for the further elaboration of several districts of the city.
Contact person
Anneke van Veen
Ambassadeur Water, Vereniging Gemeenten voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling
ae.van.veen@kpnmail.nl
Hiltrud Pötz
Atelier GROENBLAUW
hiltrudpotz@ateliergroenblauw.nl