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Rotterdam keeps empty heart

Oct 152007

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Photo by skintype

The empty street smack down the Rotterdam City Center apparently is here to stay: “de lijnbaan” has become an early “rijks-monument” [number 93].

Ugh ! Sofar for a potential impressive city center, with more elegant high condensed shopping centers, residence, entertainment venues, etc. etc. Gone now.

True, for some part it is a matter of taste and historical conscience. However, it is such a long dominant street, next to main street, it is unavoidable. It blocks the small corporate centers, splits the cultural places and drinking areas. And with only 2 (!) stories high, absolutely no highly demanded economical usage. Moreover, in a largely abstract architecture build city, wouldn’t you want some more warm buildings then small rectangular mini shops. A missed chance..

One Response to “Rotterdam keeps empty heart”

  1. Tijs says:
    October 18, 2007 at 17:05

    damn. that is one ugly street. maybe they should built in some sort of clause where if we still think it’s ugly in 15 years we can tear it down anyway.

  2. Sebas says:
    April 7, 2008 at 12:03

    1: lijnbann is not empty, if you take pictures when the shop are closed also disneyland seems empty.
    2: it’s a masterpiece of the dutch functionalist architecture of the fifthies, copied all over the world for it’s quality of pedestrian commercial space in the core of the city, with high density dwelling building on the back.
    3. a missed chance of what?!?!?!?!what do you need in the center of the city?a multistories mcdonalds?is a multistories building the warmth that you need??don’t be ridicolous…

  3. Administrator says:
    April 7, 2008 at 23:53

    rebuttal:
    1. Because the buildings are just one straight line, them being open or closed is almost the same.. especially since the minimal shapes makes it empty. Disney is quite ugly too by the way.
    2. high density?? you’re joking. 2 stories is not my idea of high density. Besides, most shops are only one/two stories high. It would be more functional to concentrate the shops more and make even more room for walking and trees. (PS. the new shopping mall at the end is just an indication how much high rise is needed incl. parking space).
    3. Yes, a missed chance. You can’t seriously want a center that is so widely spread and inefficiently used. I also don’t see how these buildings with no strings attached provide ANY warmth. Giving it a second chance would be a healthy thing.
    I will have a look if I can find the old city center picture.. talking about how it could be done better.
    but thanks for your input anyway. :)

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