The Maritime District, also called the “Wijnhavenkwartier” is a triangular area enclosed by the waters of various harbours. The Wijnhaven (“wine port”) and Scheepsmakershaven (“Shipmaker’s port”) are the main waterways of the district, which were created in a period when Rotterdam was thriving at the beginning of the 17th century. The Regentesses Bridge is all that remains from this period. After the war, the district was rebuilt according to a plan of Van Traa, which assigned shipping-related office functions to the area and created two extra harbours: Bierhaven (“beer port”) and Rederijhaven. Another part of this plan was the introduction of sightlines from the Coolsingel and Churchill Square to these harbours, because Van Traa stated that Rotterdam’s residents should be able to see the harbour activities. You can see
In the seventies the functions of the neighbourhood changed. The budget for planning offices came to an end, therefore the district focussed on building housing. As more and more companies left the area, more residents moved into the district. In the triangular area high rise buildings were constructed at the same time as high buildings arose on all sides of the district. The urban master plan in 1993 of Kees Christiaans officially transformed the Maritime District into a residential area. His plan proposed several new building projects with strict rules. For example, building plots larger than 2000 square metres had to be divided into smaller plots, and the higher one wanted to build, the slimmer the building had to be.
Brain Teaser
The functions in the district have changed multiple times over the last century. Because of these changes, the area could be characterised as an incoherent district or as an interesting residential area with a robust harbour character. What do you think?
When you leave the Martiem District, after passing the Puntbrug, you will walk underneath the Andre van der Louwbrug. Notice the detailing under the viaduct and discuss the space trees need underground.
Sources
Wijnhavenkwartier. (n.d.). Platform Wederopbouw Rotterdam. https://wederopbouwrotterdam.nl/artikelen/wijnhavenkwartier