10 min. leestijd design research

Weerbaar Weert is a future perspective on the city center of Weert based on (design) research. The focus is on the opportunities that a place's history can offer when considering solutions for climate change.


The climate is changing. Our cities are getting warmer, and we are facing heavy rainfall and water damage. The consequences range from flooded streets and basements, heat stress, health risks to high financial damage. How can we ensure that the Dutch city centers remain pleasant areas to live, work and stay in the future? The Weerbaar Weert vision provides an answer to this challenge for the city of Weert in Limburg. This research was conducted by Personal Architecture, NOHNIK architecture and landscapes, and architectural historian Lara Voerman.

Following this research, Personal Architecture is working with the same team on the design for the redesign of the city park for the municipality of Weert. We focus on the design of a circular pavilion. Read more →

 
 
 
artikel weerbaar weert hele pagina (002).jpg

MARTIJN VAN DEN HEUVEL

councilor of the municipality of Weert

"We may not be able to execute everything as they envision, but the ideas can serve as a guide for long-term plans for the city center," he says. "At least the ideas will serve as an inspiration for the canal vision we are currently developing."

translated quote of an article in “De Limburger→”

JIP PIJS

chief research Personal Architecture

We have worked very closely with the municipality because Weert was already working on climate adaptation and cultural heritage. The municipality may have never thought they would need it, but now that the study is available, they can immediately use it for current spatial projects.

translated quote of a publication in KEER→

 
 
voorstel voor de transformatie van het Collegeplein in Weert: van parkeervlakte naar een aantrekkelijke groene ruimte die plek biedt aan nieuwe programmering

proposal for the transformation of Collegeplein in Weert: from a parking lot to an attractive green space that offers room for new programming.

 

Urban planning for extremes

The vision is a future perspective on the city center of Weert, with a focus on the opportunities that the city's history can offer when considering solutions for climate change. The vision was developed as part of the open call "Urban Planning for Extremes," initiated by the Creative Industries Fund NL and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands as part of the Heritage and Space program.

 
 
de visie Weerbaar Weert

the vision “Weerbaar Weert”

 
 

an integrated vision

Weert faces a unique challenge. It is situated on a sand hill and lies higher than surrounding areas. It is generally warmer in the summer, rainwater drains quickly, and street trees struggle to grow. The challenge is different from that of Dutch cities: addressing heat stress and preventing drought. The urgency to take action against climate change is not yet fully felt.

That is why climate adaptation in the vision is linked to solutions for other major current challenges, such as the transition to sustainable energy, vacant retail space, the need for accessible housing, sustainable mobility, and aging. The result is an integrated approach for a livable city, in which interventions and transformations are proposed with multiple meanings and values for everyone who uses the city.

 
 
fragment uit het rapport - een fijnmazig netwerk van poorten en stegen kenmerkt het middeleeuwse Weert

fragment uit het rapport - een fijnmazig netwerk van poorten en stegen kenmerkt het middeleeuwse Weert

fragment uit het rapport - grote katholieke instituten brachten een nieuwe schaal in de stad

fragment uit het rapport - grote katholieke instituten brachten een nieuwe schaal in de stad

 
 

Lessons from the past

The vision is based on three essential periods from the city's history, from which lessons are drawn for the future. These historical periods are translated into concrete interventions and changes in the urban system, which are therefore embedded in the city center as a matter of course.

Willpower (until 1900)

During the "willpower" period, the structure of the Weert city center was established with the main streets, three stone squares, and a network of gates and alleys. The vision seizes on this to introduce a network of rainwater collection in the streets and to create a shaded walking network through gates and alleys.

Well-being (1900-1950)

During the "well-being" period, the canal had a special meaning as a public space, and the building size increased. In the vision, the Weert canal is brought back in a contemporary and green way, including a connection with the park around Nijenborgh Castle. The canal also plays a key role in collecting and retaining rainwater.

Prosperity (1950-2000)

The "prosperity" period was characterized by a strong improvement in the city's accessibility and the construction of a large shopping center with an extensive roof landscape. In the vision, the roof landscape of the Weert city center is used to create green roofs, water collection, energy generation, and places to stay.

 
 
voorstel voor een nieuw watersysteem waarin oude structuren nieuwe betekenis krijgen

proposal for a new water system in which old structures gain new meaning.

de singel en de oude achterterreinen van de voormalige katholieke instellingen in de stad kunnen opnieuw worden ingericht en geprogrammeerd

the canal and the old backyards of former Catholic institutions in the city can be redesigned and reprogrammed.

 

development of the area around Collegeplein, Muntcomplex, and Wilhelminasingel.

 

development of the area around the former town hall, Oelemarkt, and the castle park.

 
 

two exemplary developments

The vision is illustrated with two exemplary developments of parts of the city center. These developments serve as inspiration and discussion pieces to initiate improvements at various scales in the city center. There are plenty of opportunities for follow-up steps, from developing a new canal vision to inspiring residents to a prelude to an environmental vision.

 
 
 

PUBLICATIONS

 

research team

Personal Architecture / NOHNIK architecture & landscape / Lara Voerman architectural historian.

in collaboration with

the Municipality of Weert

part of the Heritage & Space program

the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, and the Creative Industries Fund NL.