In 2011, the municipality of Rotterdam organised the first ‘City Initiative’, an administrative instrument to stimulate administrative renewal and citizen participation. After receiving 130 submissions, 5 finalists were selected and the citizens of Rotterdam were asked to vote for their favourite initiative. The winning project would be realised using a maximum of 4 million euros in subsidy, which was made available using co-financing (public-private collaborations). The project “Luchtsingel”, a project from Elma van Boxel and Kristian Koreman (of architectural firm ZUS), won with 48% of the votes and was realised.

The Luchtsingel is a 390-metre wooden pedestrian bridge that connects Rotterdam centre with the north part. The bridge attracts new developments in a part of the city that was forgotten. In addition, the bridge is a catalyst for economic growth. Due to its length and complex construction, the construction of the Luchtsingel was carried out in pieces. There are six phases in total. The first was realised in April 2012, the last in August 2014.

It’s the world’s first piece of public infrastructure to be accomplished through crowdfunding. Together with the new public spaces, including the Delftsehof, Dakakker, Pompenburg Park, and the Hofplein Station Roof Park, a ‘three-dimensional cityscape’ has arisen.

Sources
Luchtsingel. (z.d.). 4 onderdelen van de Singel. Geraadpleegd op 23 juni 2021, van https://www.luchtsingel.org/over-de-luchtsingel/5-onderdelen/