This square in the heart of Delft has many functions. It is home to the weekly market on Thursday and Saturday as well as terraces, criss-crossing cyclists, weddings, tourists and big events such as an open-air cinema or live music.

The square originated on a higher situated bogged creek ridge, which explains the higher position and the relief on the ground level. On one side of the square you can see ‘De Nieuwe Kerk’ (the new church). You can go up to the tower of this church, which is the second highest church tower in the Netherlands with a height of 108,75 meters. The church also houses the royal crypt of the House of Oranje-Nassau. On the other side of the square the old city hall of Delft is located. It stems from 1620 and it is a great example of the Dutch Renaissance style. Which style elements do you recognise?

In the sixties the whole square was made up of parking lots until the renovation in 2004. Currently it is completely paved except for one row of trees in front of the New Church. The conse Trees are an important means of limiting heat stress in the city; through the shade and through the evaporation of moisture. On the heat-stress map the effect of the fully paved square can be seen on the temperatures. Adding more trees would also change the feeling of the space and would make the square for example seem less big and more sheltered.

Sources
Van Der Kruit, E. (2021, November 12). Stadhuis. https://www.delft.com/nl/stadhuis

Ontstaan. (n.d.). Oude En Nieuwe Kerk Delft. https://oudeennieuwekerkdelft.nl/nieuwe-kerk/geschiedenis/ontstaan

Perceived temperature heat map – Klimaateffectatlas. (n.d.). https://www.klimaateffectatlas.nl/en/perceived-temperature-heat-map