Kop Boulevard is an area of more than 3 hectares on the west side of Enschede city centre. This unattractive, empty space dominated by infrastructure is not a suitable showpiece for an important gateway into the city centre. On this spot, POLO Architects is developing a vibrant new neighbourhood that creates a connection between the inner city of Enschede to the east and the city campus to the west. The integral area development is a response to the growing need for urban living and is one of the last major inner-city development locations of Enschede.

FOUR PILLARS

The urban development plan relies on four pillars resulting in an ambitious plan with a strong base. First of all, the project area will establish a unified connection between various parts of the city. Increased passability will allow public spaces to intertwine and the fragmented area to melt together into a place with a strong identity.

The second pillar ensures a smooth implantation of the project area into its urban surroundings. Through the creation of a dialogue with the buildings around the project area, the quality of life in the city is increased. This is achieved, among other things, by the implementation of sightlines offering interesting perspectives.

Housing blocks with a striking accentuated height and communal green gardens define the essence of the third pillar. The buildings form a unique hybrid between the small-grained city centre and the large-grained city campus. Furthermore, a variety of housing types caters to the various target groups’ different wishes and needs.

Finally, the green Stadskamer (council chamber) square is being developed as an intimate yet vibrant heart for the neighbourhood, a place for encounters. The project also foresees communal gardens, where visitors can enjoy the greenery in a more intimate atmosphere.

RADICAL TRANSFORMATION

In order to accomplish the ambitions for Kop Boulevard, it is necessary to look beyond the project boundaries. After all, a radical intervention is needed to transform the area and piece the infrastructural puzzle together in a new way. This transformation starts with the city structures.

To create space for the construction of new homes, the traffic infrastructure must be reorganised. For an long time, Boulevard 1945 was the main east-west connection, but nowadays, the wide road no longer corresponds with the boulevard’s limited traffic function. Along the boulevard’s axis, the new plan foresees an elegant crossing for cyclists and pedestrians. The existing roundabout is replaced by an intersection with extra attention for cyclists; motorised traffic will be limited or even banned around Kop Boulevard

ENSEMBLE OF BUILDING BLOCKS

The visual quality plan builds on the development plan and forms an assessment framework with guidelines for the project area’s future architecture.

Kop Boulevard will be an ensemble of buildings and building blocks. The cohesion of colour, materiality and green accents gives the whole project area a light and dynamic identity. Within the ensemble, a few iconic buildings will assume a prominent role in defining the new image of Enschede’s skyline. These striking towers exhibit their own individual architecture and, at the same time, manage to blend into the ensemble.

images: POLO Architects