WATERSHORE HABITAT

INTERNATIONAL UNESCO COMPETITION -FIRST PRIZE- NETHERLANDS 2010-11

David Garcia Studio’s submission for the International UNESCO Delta City of the Future competition, has been awarded first prize. The brief aimed to give solutions to the flood risk area of the harbour and the redevelopment taking place in Rotterdam. The Netherlands, and by extension Rotterdam, is in danger of being covered by water due to multiple causes, mainly sea level rise, river discharge, rainfall and ground water levels. If this is to be a serious undertaking, one must plan for worst case scenarios; that is, major sea coverage can be a reality in the distant future. The heightening of dikes or the raising of land with sea sand is inflexible, and per definition, bound to be covered at some time. We propose planning for the worst case scenarios, while offering solutions for the short and medium term. These solutions are aimed at the new residents of the harbour area as well as the community of Rotterdam and beyond.