Samenvatting

‘Compounding Waalwijk. Transformation of the urban core’. The monofunctional shopping center in Waalwijk is no longer functioning. How can this location, in phases, be transformed for Waalwijk to regain its regional importance and revitalizing existing identity nodes? Inspired by midsize utopia, New Urbanism and the work of Gordon Cullen, a plan with three layers is developed. Waalwijk’s former factory types are the inspiration for the Waalwijk layer, which define the 6 compounds or neighborhoods (each with their specific mix of functions and architectural expression). A second layer is the midrise blocks, which add housing or commercial program to the different compounds. This to ensure sufficient dynamic (day and night) in the area. The midrise blocks have a similar architectural expression, different from the compound that they are in. This in order create a connection between the compounds. The final layer is the public space, which stretches outside the redeveloped area, and such connects it to adjacent identity nodes, such the park, church and the existing central square. It avoids making a distinction between old and new and as such the new area becomes a part of the existing core. Moreover, public space is a negative space between the compounds and forms the glue between them. At the central location where compounds touch, a new central square (linked to the route connection surrounding green areas) and a landmark (higher tower, which links to the existing towers of City Hall and Church) are created. Together the three layers form a permeable space, with areas of different sizes, intensive and extensive uses and architectural styles, which allows users to linger and discover new places.