European Landscape Architecture: Best Practice in Detailing

Quay on the River IJssel, Doesburg

contains nautical fixtures only, and is entirely free of
street furniture. The high quay will always lie above
the high-water mark, and will thus be in constant
use.

Thanks to the difference in elevation between the
old ground level and the new embankment, it will
be simple to build car-parking space under the
housing, thus keeping public space free of cars.
The boundary between the high and low quay
is defined by a slightly sloping wall topped with
railings; both will be adapted to the scale of the
river.

In the profile of the quay, the row of trees marks
off the space close to the buildings on the higher
quay, in contrast with the edge of the quay with
its view over the river and the floodplains. At the
same time, specific lines of sight are included in
the various perspectives, such as the view towards
the centre, with the tower of St Martin’s as a
landmark.

At the lower quay, the focus lies principally on

the direct contact with the water. Because of the

wall along the convex riverbank, it is not possible

to stand on the long quay and view the totality of

events along the river in a single glance. Moving

along the river means that something new is con-

stantly entering or leaving the field of vision.

As highlights, the quay will feature some striking

elements. One will be a flight of grandstand steps;

orientated towards the sun, and overlooking the

harbour basin, these will provide a natural place

to sit. Another will be the Doesburg Panorama, an

observation tower built on a pontoon on the penin-

sula that is to be tackled at a later date.

On the town side, the various fragments of the

canal that used to surround the town centre are

joined again. On the side of the old rampart, the

new canal is given a soft bank; on the side of the

new riverfront, the bank is stony.

Veerpoortwal quay

previous situation

situation after a traditional dike improvement

new situation including the housing scheme

reconstructed defence canal high quay low quay

6.3

Cross-section of the IJssel and the town of

Doesburg