Luchtsingel

The Luchtsingel in Rotterdam is a 390-meter-long wooden footbridge that connects the Schieblock area with the Hofbogen.

The project, initiated by the architects ZUS, won the first Rotterdam Stadsinitiatief competition in 2011. In addition to the 4 million euros earned, the bridge was also funded through crowdfunding, where people could contribute by buying one of the 17,000 planks of the bridge.

The Luchtsingel was officially opened on June 20, 2015.

In the late 2000s, the northern part of Rotterdam was separated from the city center by busy roads and railways, making it inconvenient and sometimes impossible to cross. As a result, the northern part of the city suffered economically and was neglected by both residents and the city itself.

To reconnect the neighborhood, the residents came up with a plan to build a raised pathway above the road. Instead of waiting for the city to act, an innovative architectural studio launched a crowdfunding campaign, allowing donors to buy planks for the bridge and have their names engraved on them.

The campaign was successful and won a design competition, providing additional funding for the project.

The ZUS architectural studio believed that the city should continue to develop, even during economic crises when funds for new projects are limited.

The Luchtsingel was the first step in revitalizing the area between Rotterdam’s central district and the Hofbogen. This area was dominated by large infrastructure, tall buildings, and heavy traffic. The challenge was to use unconventional means to bring life to the area.

Combined with other urban initiatives and street-level developments, the Luchtsingel transformed the area into a high-quality residential zone in a short period of time.

The Luchtsingel project consisted of four elements:

A 390-meter-long wooden footbridge

The DakAkker on the Schieblock

A public space at the former Hofplein station

A park at Pompenburg

The Luchtsingel was finally lifted over the railway line on the night of November 2-3, 2013. It took a considerable amount of time to obtain permits and go through bidding and approval processes.

Now, the angular bridge is accompanied by a landscaped area and a scenic roundabout, making it an attraction. It has become a radical symbol of the possibilities inherent in a city built by its residents.

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