TOD CASTRICUM
urban development research
location for Landscape Orientated Development
The train station of Castricum holds within the Zaan corridor a unique location: it forms the entrance gate to the Kennemer dunes. As never before should one make use of this attractive feature and it should be transformed into a pleasant place to be in. We therefore propose to increase the size of station area which in turn will signify transition to the dunes. The area should be developed exclusively implementing the natural surroundings within the grand scheme: Landscape Orientend Development. An area where a nature swimming pool, nature graveyard and nature camping sites will be included where the essence lies in the experience of the natural surroundings.
- Tram across the dunes
The junction at Castricum forms an important part of the web of routes and transport facilities that cross the coastal area from the mainland reaching out to sea. Each destiniation will form his own charateristic appearance and will be logicly connected to the transportation network. Apart from foot and bicycle paths, a tramline across the dunes will form a connection between the regional and national train lines and the surrounding villages. Hereby reinforcing on a national level the 'trade mark' Castricum as a 'welcoming gate' to the sand dunes.
In 50 years: Mind shift
- Under the shadow of the metropolis
In 50 years time 75 % of the people will live in the city. Our relation with man made nature is intertwined with our everyday lives. Experiencing 'real' nature has therefore become more and more important, as our living environment ever more consists of virtual, unnatural landscape. Castricum as sanctuary has the grown in the economic sector of 'real nature, and as a result the village of Castricum has been transformed into a living enclave for people who like to reside in nature and be in the shadow of the metropolis.
- 'Liquid' transportation
Where we will move to in the next 50 years is yet to be answered. What we do know for sure is that, as today, routes must be created for getting up and about, though each route will be taken more individually. The coastal line will form a new route of transportation: namely, the tramline across the dunes which will evolve into a trail across the dunes. It will still follow the (railway) line, but now more designed on a more indiviual level.
urban development research
| client: | BNA Onderzoek; Provincie Noord Holland; Nederlandse Spoorwegen; Vereniging Deltametropool; TU Delft |
| design: | Benjamin Robichon |
| project team: | Barbara Dirks, Dirk Jan Schaap |
| in collaboration with: | Maike van Stiphout - DS landschapsarchitecten; Paul Baartmans - beeldend kunstenaar; Floris Visser - Groen Licht Verkeersadviezen |
| location: | Castricum |
| start design: | January 2014 |
| end design: | June 2014 |
| status: | design research |
location for Landscape Orientated Development
The train station of Castricum holds within the Zaan corridor a unique location: it forms the entrance gate to the Kennemer dunes. As never before should one make use of this attractive feature and it should be transformed into a pleasant place to be in. We therefore propose to increase the size of station area which in turn will signify transition to the dunes. The area should be developed exclusively implementing the natural surroundings within the grand scheme: Landscape Orientend Development. An area where a nature swimming pool, nature graveyard and nature camping sites will be included where the essence lies in the experience of the natural surroundings.
- Tram across the dunes
The junction at Castricum forms an important part of the web of routes and transport facilities that cross the coastal area from the mainland reaching out to sea. Each destiniation will form his own charateristic appearance and will be logicly connected to the transportation network. Apart from foot and bicycle paths, a tramline across the dunes will form a connection between the regional and national train lines and the surrounding villages. Hereby reinforcing on a national level the 'trade mark' Castricum as a 'welcoming gate' to the sand dunes.
In 50 years: Mind shift
- Under the shadow of the metropolis
In 50 years time 75 % of the people will live in the city. Our relation with man made nature is intertwined with our everyday lives. Experiencing 'real' nature has therefore become more and more important, as our living environment ever more consists of virtual, unnatural landscape. Castricum as sanctuary has the grown in the economic sector of 'real nature, and as a result the village of Castricum has been transformed into a living enclave for people who like to reside in nature and be in the shadow of the metropolis.
- 'Liquid' transportation
Where we will move to in the next 50 years is yet to be answered. What we do know for sure is that, as today, routes must be created for getting up and about, though each route will be taken more individually. The coastal line will form a new route of transportation: namely, the tramline across the dunes which will evolve into a trail across the dunes. It will still follow the (railway) line, but now more designed on a more indiviual level.
Castricum at this time will definitely represent the metropolitan gate to the sand dunes. After crossing this gate one will enter a place where the sun and wind can be felt and the vistas of the Kennemerduinen and sea can be taken in.
assignment
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a strategy based on urban planning using te principal of combining transport and spatial development. The Zaan Corridor consists of a number of villages and cities stretching out from Amsterdam to Heerhugowaard, with connecting roads, railroads, hubs, potential living locations, historic town centers, industrial areas and natural landscapes. This forms a big challenge because many people who live here, work elswhere. Commutors travel a great distance and change between stations frequently. As the location holds attractive potentials for architects, the counsil of 'practice in infrastructure' of the BNA research has set up a project where design force of architects can be implemented to give a fresh vision on developing various transport junctions.
Knevel architecten has been selected to shine a light on the Castricum HUB, in collaboration with DS landscape architects, Groen Licht traffic consultancy and visual artist Paul Baartmans.
In 5 years: Archipuncture
- 'Veluwe aan Zee'
Goal orientated marketing for both the village as the Kennemer Dunes, and the gradual transformation of Castricum train station into a 'nature' station make up the start for attracting new visitors. Effectiveness will increase due to stronger collaboration with other districts alongside the Kennemer 'Dunes'. Simpel visual references en temporary art projects and installations in and around the train station area will stimulate this proces of transforming the now anonymous station into a 'welcoming'gate for visitors to the village and natural surroundings.
- Devaluating traffic & parking
The commutor getting on the train at Castricum, lives attractively within cycling distance. The transition from bike to train is stimulated by using e-bikes and bike rentals. Making a bypass for automobiles through the N203 round the village, car traffic can bypassed round the train station area. As a result the area around the train station can be used for other functions like a terrace with a view on the dunes and optionally extra living functions can be established, bringing back the local identity to the area.
In 20 years: Step Change
- Development of the 'In-between-zone'
The railway lies exactly on the border of the dunes and village. It therefore conveniently forms a connection to these to elements. By pulling the traffic junction apart, extending and widening it, the train station area can develop into a countryside: Landscape Oriented Development. Within this zone the countryside will become a result of programming, making the natural countryside part of the area between dune and village and therefore giving it an identity that specificly defines Castricum. Conclusively the countryside is designed by implementing nature specific functions, such as tourism, recreation, education, healthcare and well being.
