Stadsblokken / Meinerswijk, City of Arnhem

For Summary, please click here.

What is Stadsblokken Meinerswijk?

The floodplain Meinerswijk is situated south of the city of Arnhem along the river Rhine. This floodplain currently has an ecological function, while the adjacent area Stadsblokken is protected against high water (flooding). Stadsblokken is part of the Interreg IIIB project Urban Water.

History

Until 1995, the priorities were as follows:

• Rijkswaterstaat (National Department of Transport and Watermanagement) wanted to retain room for the river.
• The Municipality of Arnhem wanted to connect the northern and southern parts of the city by developing residential housing in Stadsblokken.

However, the high waters (floods) of 1993 and 1995 caused considerable problems in the Dutch river landscape, with residential areas inside the dikes being flooded. Stadsblokken Meinerswijk is part of the winterbed (floodplain) of the Rhine and has since been designated in the national policy directive Ruimte voor de Rivier, in order to retain and enlarge the room for the river. The plans have since been elaborated on and taken shape in the national Spatial Planning Decision (PKB) Ruimte voor de Rivier, leading to a revision of the development plans for this area. The municipality of Arnhem subsequently set out to create a city park in Stadsblokken.

Exploratory study

Together, Rijkswaterstaat and the Municipality of Arnhem agreed to investigate the possibilities of uniting the diverse wishes:

• more room for nature development
• more room for the river
• more room for the city (municipal park/ multi-purpose grounds)

Given the diversity of interests and goals, an integral approach is necessary. To research the possibilities, together the parties have had a close look at the diverse options in an Reconnaissance study (Survey). The resulting solution directions were incorporated in the National programme room for the river (called PKB; see also www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl). The next step would be a decision by the State Secretary on the need for a planning study. This constitutes research into everything necessary to solve a particular problem. The study continues until all legal procedures are completed and the project is ready for execution. At the end of 2005, the Dutch Cabinet decided to give Meinerswijk the ‘front runner status’, allowing for the start with a proposal for a planning study. The Municipality of Arnhem will take this on in close cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and Waterways, the Province of Gelderland, the Ministry of Housing, Regional Development and the Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries. They will enter into a governmental agreement in which the project conditions are laid down. The area Stadsblokken Meinerswijk has been included in the limitative list of main river winterbed (floodplain) locations for the purpose of ‘Experimenting with Adapted Building’ (so-called EMAB-location).

Hereafter you will find more information about:

Project frameworks

• PKB Ruimte voor de rivier (national programme Room for the river)
• River workshop
• Urban Water (EU-project)
• Main Ecological Structure
• Spatial Memorandum

Reconnaisance study

• Summary
• Solution directions

Planning

In the middle of 2006, Rijkswaterstaat and the municipality of Arnhem will enter into a governmental agreement in which the conditions for the project approach are laid down. The municipality of Arnhem will subsequently present a proposal for the planning study. The State Secretary will then decide on this proposal by the end of 2006, and the complete study phase could run to 2010. Public inquiry will beheld after a decision has been made. Realization (preparation and execution) of the project will take place after that, as from 2010.

Public involvement

In the coming year the city of Arnhem will assess the level of public support. This is not yet a formal inquiry procedure, which will follow during the regional and zoning planning procedures.

Downloads and links

PKB: www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl

Nota Ruimte: www.vrom.nl/pagina.html?id=3410

EHS: www.minlnv.nl/servlet/page?_pageid=508&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30

Structuurplan gemeente Arnhem: www.arnhem.nl/sites/internet_nieuw/actueel/projecte0/structuurplan_arnhem_2010

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