Amsterdam Academy of ArchitectureGraduation Projects 2014-2015Urbanism

A.H.G. Fokkerstraat 573555 BC Utrecht0031-(0)628433364sjmwolbertus@yahoo.comREO | Stedenbouw en Planologie (Urbanism and Physical Planning) | Municipality of Utrecht

Sjoerd WolbertusThe Periphery CentralBuilding on a distinctive Lübeck on the Trave Fjord

Urbanism

The periphery is of vital importance for every metropolis in order to continue to grow. Optimisation of infrastructure is one of the most important tasks connected with that. In addition, the periphery is often frequently subject to economic and demographic contraction. As the largest port on the Baltic Sea, Lübeck has strong competition and the opening of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel in 2021 will further reinforce the drop in transshipment figures. In the meantime, the number of inhabitants of the once so proud ‘Queen of the Hanse’ is steadily decreasing.

As part of this project, leverage was sought for a favourable strategy for Lübeck as distinctive city on the Trave Fjord. In this project, the possibilities are shown for the city to tackle the changing international dynamics for qualitative growth. The development of the Lübeck is mainly based on planning policy and autonomous building developments. As a result, the city is becoming increasingly fragmented and the public domain is making it less and less inviting for Lübeck citizens to stay. That which makes Lübeck ‘unique (city on the Trave, stream valleys, industrial heritage) is increasingly falling into disrepair. This strategy will ensure that the contraction continues further, that the city becomes increasingly less liveable and vital, and that unique qualities are definitively lost.

In the Periphery Central, the foundation is laid for qualitative growth. In order to achieve this, strategic choices are made for the urban traffic network, efforts are concentrated on clustering of port activities and the Trave and stream valleys from a powerful framework for the city. The design consists of spatial interventions between Altstadt and fjord, with transformation of the city entrance and Teerhofinsel as key projects. The restored Struckbachtal is the heart of the transformation that is created through a gradual transformation of the business area. Living on a stream valley and fortress determines the revitalised identity of this city district. In addition to the monumental city centre, Teerhofinsel is the second ‘jewel in the Trave’. This island is the gateway to the fjord and will soon be the place where city and fjord meet each other. From a closed military training ground to an inviting and natural destination for every Lübeck citizen and visitor.

The restored Struckbachtal is the heart of the transformation of the city entrance, between the A1 motorway and Altstadt. The crucial intervention is the railway tunnel, with which a sharp cut is stitched through the city. Between St. Lorenz, the restored Struckbachtal and the banks of the Trave, missing routes can be created and space arises for new inhabitants. Industrial heritage is given new significance again with public functions and space for events. St. Lorenz can grow once again and the location on the Struckbachtal and Trave will definitively rescue the old suburb from its isolation. Outside the UNESCO-protected Altstadt, the rich industrial history of Lübeck will become visible and perceptible once again. Lübeck’s tangible past will be definitively safeguarded

Building on a distinctive Lübeck requires time and patience, and strong coalitions of public and private parties. The city will have to lobby strongly to profit from regional assignments. By embracing the new course and through focused investments, Lübeck will slowly but surely become a vital and proud city on the Trave Fjord once again.

Graduation date25 06 2015

Commission membersJeroen Ruitenbeek (mentor) Riëtte BoschHans van der Made

Additional members for the examinationKirsten van den BergRein Geurtsen

Sjoerd WolbertusThe Periphery CentralBuilding on a distinctive Lübeck on the Trave Fjord

Sjoerd Wolbertus

Urbanism

Spatial assignmentsChanging international dynamics as opportunity

Changing international dynamics is putting economic position under pressure

Powerful framework of stream valleys and Trave

Compact ports

Lübeck on the Trave circa 2015: no vision on added value for the city.

Traffic network and city in balance

LÜBECK

Ports LübeckTransshipment volume

2007-2012

-25%

€

Ring road

City streets

Sjoerd Wolbertus

Master plan

Urbanism

Restoration of Struckbachtal as support for city entrance

City front St. Lorenz on Struckbachtal

Railway tunnel St. LorenzRailway runnel binds, links and creates space for development

Struckbachtal connects city, Trave and countryside

Struckbachtal, powerful support for the city entrance

Sjoerd Wolbertus

Fortress: new life in the historic heart of the city

Cultural heart St. Lorenz

New gateway to the city centre Development process city entrance

Amsterdam Academy of Architecture

Architects, urbanists and landscape architects learn the profession at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture through an intensive combination of work and study. They work in small, partly interdisciplinary groups and are supervised by a select group of practising fellow professionals. There is a wide range of options within the programme so that students can put together their own trajectory and specialisation.With the inclusion of the course in Urbanism in 1957 and Landscape Architecture in 1972, the Academy is the only architecture school in the Netherlands to bring together the three spatial design disciplines under one roof. Some 350 guest tutors are involved in teaching every year. Each of them is a practising designer or a specific expert in his or her particular subject. The three heads of department also have design practices of their own in addition to their work for the Academy. This structure yields an enormous dynamism and energy and ensures that the courses remain closely linked to the current state of the discipline. The courses consist of projects, exercises and lectures. First-year and second-year students also engage in morphological studies. Students work on their own or in small groups. The design

projects form the backbone of the syllabus. On the basis of a specific design assignment, students develop knowledge, insight and skills. The exercises are focused on training in those skills that are essential for recognising and solving design problems, such as analytical techniques, knowledge of the repertoire, the use of materials, text analysis, and writing. Many of the exercises are linked to the design projects. The morphological studies concentrate on the making of spatial objects, with the emphasis on creative process and implementation. Students experiment with materials and media forms and gain experience in converting an idea into a creation. During the periods between the terms there are workshops, study trips in the Netherlands and abroad, and other activities. This is also the preferred moment for international exchange projects. The Academy regularly invites foreign students for the workshops and recruits wellknown designers from the Netherlands and further afield as tutors. Graduates from the Academy of Architecture are entitled to the following titles: Architect, Master of Science; Urbanist, Master of Science and Landscape Architect, Master of Science.