Zoetermeer Afrikaweg
One’s masterplan for the Afrikaweg helps the municipality redefine its role in planning by utilizing its assets, the municipally owned green spaces and road systems.
The current zoning plan allows for new commercial spaces and offices to be build alongside the main thoroughfare only if connected to a service street running behind it. Our proposal uses the momentum of the imminent restructuring of the main traffic system to connect the new programme directly: cars can drive directly into the parking structure. The zigzag shape, with almost Stalinist lawns in front, allows for the greatest number of offices to be visible from the main road, thereby increasing their real estate value. By working perpendicular (rather than parallel) to Afrikaweg, the existing city, now hidden, becomes finally visible.
The municipality’s role changes from passive facilitator to active entrepreneur. The 300.000 m2 project forces a land swap with the owners of the individual lots; the city-owned green buffers and service street will be developed, while the areas between concentrated developments will be kept green. The perpendicular structure, with its additional depth, allows for apartments, mixed functions, and better links with the existing neighbourhoods. In short, it will make Zoetermeer less boring.
