The Rotterdam Municipality Executive Committee has presented the Watekant Ambition Plan, revised alongside the Feyenoord City masterplan, to the City Council for review. These two projects are significant to Rotterdam-Zuid (South Rotterdam), bringing 7,000 to 9,500 new homes, offices, schools, recreational facilities, and ample green spaces to the area over the coming decade. Both projects were developed after the new Feyenoord Stadium project was put on hold in 2022.
The Waterkant on the Nieuwe Maas is a key area within Feyenoord City. Designed by EFFEKT, LOLA Landscape Architects and OMA, the Waterkant defines a new urban planning approach for the upcoming high-density neighbourhood with approximately 4,000 homes. This development will link the existing neighbourhoods in Rotterdam-Zuid with the Nieuwe Maas, creating a new riverside cityscape for the local community and visitors. Green corridors will connect the bustling center, a promenade park, and a water sports area to offer a high-quality lifestyle along the Waterkant.
The Waterkant site will be enlarged through reclamation of the river. A new sloping terrain, running from the riverbank to the inner area over the rail tracks, will cover the existing elements on site. This will form a continuous topography with interesting height differences, and a unique landscape design that frames the entire urban plan. Landscaped streets will connect the Waterside with the other zones of Feyenoord City. Underground parking spaces will reduce the use of cars along the Waterkant, making the area more pedestrian and cycle friendly and strengthening the connection between Rotterdam-Zuid and the rest of the city.
Despite the density of the Waterkant area, the significantly reduced building mass scale and strategic positioning of the tall buildings will ensure a humanised scale of the public spaces and the streets. The Waterkant development will follow the principles of creating high quality public spaces and residential buildings with favourable living conditions, including the new tidal park right at the doorstep.
Rooted in community engagement, the Waterkant development will capture the identity of Rotterdam-Zuid and the urban street culture, with communal spaces for socialising, events, and shared dining. The ground floors of the buildings will include programmes that foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging among the residents.
The nature-friendly public boulevard will integrate the Waterkant with the new tidal park of Feyenoord City, creating a vibrant and appealing destination for all. Rotterdam's north and south banks will be more closely linked by a bridge and the creation of a Stadionpark station, a public transportation hub next to the iconic De Kuip stadium. The residential initiative of the Feyenoord Masterplan will be supported by various commercial elements that will provide employment opportunities, and leisure spaces that will create an attractive destination for everyone in Rotterdam.
Sinus Lynge, Founding Partner at EFFEKT Architects: “The Waterkant will become a new destination for the city of Rotterdam, introducing a unique waterfront and park experience with a special focus on quality of life for the residents of Rotterdam South. We have aimed to stitch together the dense cityscape and the waterfront landscape to create a network of attractive, safe and playful public spaces with streets, promenades, waterfront and tidal park, turning the area into a magnet for city life for people of all ages.”
Cees van der Veeken, Founding Partner & Senior Landscape Architect at LOLA Landscape Architects: “Waterkant fills a gap in the urban fabric of Rotterdam by connecting the old and new neighbourhoods with bike lanes and high-quality public spaces. Squares and parks with distinct characteristics including a new tidal park, will offer leisure spaces for the local community and visitors, creating a green and attractive waterfront destination in Rotterdam.”
David Gianotten, Managing Partner – Architect at OMA: “The collaboration between EFFEKT, LOLA and OMA has enabled us to bring together our experiences in creating masterplans around the world with long-term positive social impact. The Waterkant design captures our collective vision for Rotterdam-Zuid to become a new heart in Rotterdam, based on our knowledge, observations, and fresh perspectives about the potential of area.”
The revised Feyenoord City masterplan and the Waterkant Ambition Plan were created in consultation with the local community and diverse parties, including the residents and the entrepreneurs from Hillesluis, Feijenoord and Afrikaanderwijk. The positive input from the stakeholders, published in the "The Waterside Participation Report in April 2024, has been crucial in the creation and refinement of the design. Both projects will be further reviewed for approval by the wider Rotterdam City Council meeting in May.
The revised masterplan for Feyenoord City was developed by the Municipality of Rotterdam together with LOLA and OMA. In 2023, the Municipality of Rotterdam and Stichting Gebiedsontwikkeling aan de Maas (StiGaM) commissioned EFFEKT, LOLA and OMA to define a new masterplan for the Waterkant. The project was developed in collaboration with Royal HaskoningDHV, Wyne, Heijmans Vastgoed, and AM developers.
The Feyenoord City will be built in phases over the next ten years. Construction of the Waterkant will begin in 2027.