Ral2005.nl

At the turn of the 19th Century, Bloemhof in the south of Rotterdam was developed as an affordable neighbourhood for harbour workers. During the 1920’s and 30’s a number of housing experiments were conducted resulting in ‘pearls’ such as the Kossel, Stulemeijercomplex and later the Kiefhoek by J.P Oud. Low, dense housing with narrow streets filled with cars generates a homogenous urban fabric.

The higher denser buildings around the edge creates a kind of island condition. Developing the area without destroying the strong social structures forms the basis for the strategy. Low, dense housing typologies that incorporate parking are proposed thereby freeing up the public space and providing a diversity of accommodation forms. More expensive housing along the green belts partly subsidises the social housing.