Concept

The design proposal for 'De Waterkwekerij', an urban development in the town of Alkmaar, have been characterised by a high-density building program and extensive public green and water areas. The new development will be located on the former waste water treatment plant in Alkmaar, a plant soon to be replaced by a new membrane bio reactor (MBR). As a result of the latest technologies, MBR plants have become much more compact and can now be placed underground for most part. The MBR earmarked for implementation on 'De Waterkwekerij' will be situated in the southern part of the site and will be covered by a publicly accessible waterpark. The northern part will comprise offices and a mix of 500 residential units, in apartment buildings and terraced houses. Commercial and cultural facilities will also be part of this development. The total project will be constructed according to strict sustainable principles, e.g. heat recovery from waste water. Water will continue to play its central role on the site: treated effluent, the clean water leaving the MBR, will be revitalised and will flow around a newly created island. The former sludge depositions will be submerged in water. The island, with its floating houses moored around it, will be made accessible through a natural system of dykes.

Water plays a central role in Group A's sustainable development

Group A’s design is one of the three schemes that have been selected for the EURPA by the BNSP, the Dutch association of Spatial Planners. Sustainability, an exemplary role, innovation, participation and transformation were key issues for the jury. The three shortlisted projects will represent the Netherlands in a European competition that is issued every two years by the European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTP). The three nominees will be submitted to an international jury, who will choose an overall winner from all the European nominees this coming autumn.