This project is about an area in the inner city of Vlissingen which belonged for more than a century to a major shipyard company (Royal Scheldt Group) that is moving out of town. The redevelopment of the area will be the key to many problems. One major opportunity is the maritime heritage on the site. This exists from buildings, quays, cranes, (incomplete) structures and stories.

Dit project gaat over een gebied in de binnenstad van Vlissingen dat in eigendom was van de scheepswerf de Schelde en dat vrijkomt door de verhuizing van de scheepswerf. De herontwikkeling van het gebied zal de sleutel tot vele problemen zijn. Één belangrijke kans is het maritiem erfgoed. Dit bestaat uit gebouwen, kades, kranen, (onvolledige) structuren en verhalen.

DOKKERSHAVEN VLISSINGEN

In the next fifteen to twenty years, a new urban area will arise at the former shipyard of the Royal Schelde Group in the city of Flushing (Vlissingen). A multifunctional urban area adjacent to the city centre; an area for housing, retail, commercial and light industrial uses; an area in which water will be the dominant aspect, but also with great respect for the maritime history and its industrial buildings, being mastodons in the city. An urban area with character: robust, unpolished and colourful.

In the year 2005 the city of Flushing commissioned the design for a masterplan to VHP, a Dutch bureau for urban planning, design and architecture. Together with the civil engineers of Tauw and the traffic planners of GoudappelCoffeng, VHP made an urban design for the area. The 31 hectares area is approximately one-fourth of the built-up area of Flushing. This means this masterplan will have a serious effect on this town.

Flushing is strongly related to the water. The Northsea, the Westerschelde, beach, harbours and canal can be sensed almost everywhere in the town. This water provided Flushing employment. During a 150-year period shipbuilding became a large industry, literary in the town. The shipyard in the end was adjacent to the historic city centre, and the bows of new ships and the shipyard cranes became the image of this town. Even important historic buildings were deteriorated for the expansion of the shipyard. As a negative effect, the city centre was only accessible by a detour around the yard.

The shipyard was the major employer. This means there is a great connection between the town and the shipyard.

A socio-economic challenge

In the 1970’s shipbuilding in the Netherlands was on its return. For Flushing this resulted in large unemployment since that period. As a result the economic basis of the town is very weak. By rebuilding the shipyard-area, the challenge is also rebuilding, and even reinventing the essence of Flushing. So, the assignment for the planners was to transform the shipyard into an urban area with respect for its past and meaning for the town, but moreover to create a better and sustainable future.

Given its size and location, the cultural meaning for its inhabitants, and the socio-economic challenge, it became clear the participation of the people of Flushing in the planning process is fundamental for its success.

Process

The city administration provided the opportunity for its inhabitants to participate in the planning process from day one. Before any design was made, or any concept created, the administrators asked the people about their ideas, suggestions, needs and wishes, do’s and don’ts. On the 10th of July 2004 a large public manifestation was held on the shipyard area in one of the industrial ‘cathedrals’. The city presented the process, the people presented their ideas. In the same period the city’s planners started their surveys necessary for the planning process. The main surveys were on soil pollution, the market potential and the cultural history of the area. The cultural history clearly showed the maritime history. Hidden in the soil in the area is the oldest European Dry-dock, possibly in good condition, and worthy of restoration. But moreover, the fact that almost anyone in Flushing, for many generations, had been working at this shipyard, certainly means a lot for the planning process.

Based upon the results from the first manifestation, and based upon the first surveys, three designers were each commissioned to make a first planning concept for the area; a planning concept, not just as a design, but as a ‘light’ edition of a masterplan. Neither the city administration, nor the city’s planning agency had any influence on this design process; thus, leaving maximum space for creative ideas. The three plans were subject for debate in the second and third public manifestation. In front of a critical audience, the urban planners explained the concepts and received criticism, suggestions and advice from the public. After this, the direction for the planning concept became clear, and the city administration commissioned VHP for the masterplan.

Together with VHP the city administration decided to start this stage in the process with a great number of workshops with different societal organizations. Workshops on traffic, recreation, housing, culture, sports and so on. Thus obtaining accurate information, but also being able to discuss the different aspect for the masterplan. It can be concluded that as a result of these workshops and the manifestations, the public support for the plan is enormous.

The masterplan is presented in its final form to the audience on the 17th of December 2005. During the following weeks, the public has the opportunity to give their final remarks, before the city-council will give its final approval to the plan.

The relatively short period in which this masterplan is created, is remarkable. It is believed to be possible, because the public has been involved from day one. By continuously letting the public participate in the process, a relationship of trust between administration and public is created, thus creating public support for the masterplan.

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