Spatial Quality Programme
Rotterdam is one of the largest and best-organised ports in the world. The port’s most distinctive features are its direct access from the sea, its logistical and industrial facilities, and its hinterland connections. The port area extends over a distance of approximately forty kilometres.
The port’s dimensions and mix of industry and nature create a unique appearance and a distinctive character. Nowhere else in the Netherlands is there such a concentration of activity. The port combines economic strength and international dynamism with entrepreneurship. Safety, sustainability and innovation are paramount. Entrepreneurs, employees and visitors should feel welcome in this special area. This vision is reinforced by a safe, clean, sustainable and accessible port with an extensive range of identifiably top-grade activities and facilities.
Joint commitment
The port landscape is characterised by enormous structures and installations – the icons of the port. Companies largely determine the face of the port and are indispensable for improving its appearance and experience. The Port Authority aims to work with them and other custodians to ensure the port enjoys an image befitting a world-class port. Key elements of this include a calm and safe streetscape, beautiful panoramas and a pleasing, distinct and recognisable night-time landscape. This is reinforced by functional architecture with light colours, space for greenery and views of the port’s activities.
Spatial Quality Guidelines
The 10 general guidelines
The 10 general guidelines for improving spatial quality apply throughout the port. They apply to all areas under the management of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, both in the port of Rotterdam and the port of Dordrecht. The guidelines apply to buildings, structures and other constructions, but also to private land, public spaces, green areas and spatial integration into the area.
Additional guidelines per area
There are also guidelines that apply to area-specific structures such as continuous access roads, green structures and sightlines appropriate to the spatial characteristics of the area in question.
Process advisories and Spatial Quality assessments
At the port, the Q-team assesses permit applications
To ensure the port enjoys the desired image, the Q-team (Quality team) was established in 2007. The Q-team consists of experts in the fields of architecture, urban planning and landscape design, as well as a representative from the Environmental Quality & Cultural Heritage Committee of the Municipality of Rotterdam. Further information can be found on the Municipality of Rotterdam website.
Q-team members;
- Adriaan Geuze - landscape architect
- Bernadette Janssen - urban planner
- Paul de Ruiter - architect
- Nicolas Clarke – the Municipality of Rotterdam’s mandated Environmental Quality & Cultural Heritage Committee
The Q-team conducts assessments approximately once every six to eight weeks at the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Registrations must be received by the Q-team approximately two weeks before that date. Based on an objective report, they then advise the committees in Rotterdam and Dordrecht, which adopt the recommendations in principle.
The Q-team advises and assesses the plans based on the applicable guidelines and assists in translating the guidelines into the design phase (i.e. in the draft, preliminary and/or final design). The Q-team does this in accordance with a mandate agreement instead of the Municipality of Rotterdam’s Environmental Quality & Cultural Heritage Committee and/or Dordrecht City’s Spatial Quality Committee. Additionally, the Port Authority has designated Q-team zones for additional key sightlines along roads and waterways.
The Q-team only advises and assesses in aesthetic and Q-team zones. The Core Team for Spatial Quality assesses and supports this process, acts as the front line for the Q-team, and assesses and advises in the areas not subject to aesthetic regulations. The earlier the Q-team is involved, the easier it is to implement the recommendations. The Port Authority’s Q-team is keen to give its approval before the permit application is submitted to the local municipal authorities.
If you have any questions about the content of the guidelines and/or the Q-team’s advisory and/or assessment process, please contact our spatial quality advisers in the Core Team for Spatial Quality the form below.