The Netherlands
text. OKRA believe that public space should merely
be a stage for the performance of everyday actions.
It should support people’s lives and facilitate a wide
range of activities. OKRA never want to make the
functional gestures too strong, since people can-
not be made to conform to the designer’s wishes.
Through design, the landscape architect can, how-
ever, guide the public in a more natural and subtle
way, by providing paved surfaces, technical details
and furniture where appropriate. When a place is
quieter, less bustling with people, the pleasant
appearance of that space becomes more important.
Therefore, OKRA’s designers always consider the
appearance of the project area at night, or in the
poor weather conditions that are so common in
the Netherlands, and take that into account when
determining the materials.
Design development
The waterfronts
The development will in fact lead to the crea-
tion of three separate waterfronts on the IJssel:
besides the riverfront, there is also the canal along
the former fortification. Like the IJssel quay itself,
the inside and outside of the former moat will be
treated as waterfronts in their own right.
Naturally, though, the main IJssel quay is distin-
guished by its exposure to the influences of the
river. It also marks the meeting of water and town.
First and foremost, it is a defence against the river,
with the height of the quay being determined by
that of the embankment – itself determined under
the auspices of the Deltawet Grote Rivieren (the
Rivers Act). In this part of the IJssel there is a
considerable difference in water level – some 5m
between the highest and lowest levels.
If the quay is to meet its full potential for liveliness,
it should provide moorings for a wide range of ves-
sels. It should also provide potential for long-term
transformation, not only with regard to the prop-
erties that stand along it, but also to public open
space.
In principle, the low quay is under the influence of
the river. As it will sometimes be submerged, it
