IABR: Making City

Date: 20 April thru 12 August 2012
Opening: 19 April 2012
Location: Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi), Museumpark 25, Rotterdam
Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, Sunday and holidays, 11 am-5 pm

Stroom Den Haag presents two projects at the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam.

The 5th IABR: Making City explores the making of tomorrow's city and the designer's role in that process. The inevitable urbanization presents a huge political, social, economic and ecological challenge. At the same time, cities offer solutions for the tasks that face us in the 21st century. The city can lead us to a better future, but it must be better planned, designed and managed than it is at present. Making City explores future urban scenarios and, in the process, puts design first. Stroom Den Haag presents twp pojects: Haags Havens and Erasmusvled Nuts. Both projects ars made possible by the generous support of the Netherlands Architecture Fund.

1. Erasmusveld Nuts - strategy for the sustainable development of Erasmusveld
This project is a continuation of a research project Studio Makkink & Bey first presented during the Foodprint festival DAG HAP, that took place in October 2011 in the urban development neighborhood of Erasmusveld in The Hague. The design duo proposed to introduce a number of public utilities: ‘Compost', ‘Clean Water' and ‘Energy Path'. During the festival thirty-seven people from the neighborhood showed their interest and subscribed to these utility companies. For the IABR Studio Makkink & Bey will further develop these plans for the long-term future, in collaboration with the city of The Hague. The study of Makkink & Bey received financial support of Stichting DOEN.
Makkink & Bey at DAG HAP (2011)
www.studiomakkinkbey.nl
 
2. Haagse Havens - a new way of making city
The project Haagse Havens (i.e. Harbours of The Hague) presents the city as a laboratory for the development and testing of a new way of making cities. This initiative by Stroom Den Haag and the department of urban planning of the city of The Hague, will be developed in collaboration with Sabrina Lindemann (Mobiel Projectbureau OpTrek) and the faculty ®MIT of TU Delft.
 
‘Haagse Havens' explores new ways of making cities and explores the way in which urban development can actively contribute to this process. The industrial area of the Binckhorst and the neighboring area of Laakhaven in The Hague will function as a testcase for this study. The existing city is the starting point for the new development of both districts and the city of The Hague is actively looking for new collaborators. This approach requires a clear survey of the current qualities present in these districts. It also requires a more functional use of available time, energy, finances and the active participation of entrepreneurs and residents in this area. In addition flexible planning and new methods of government are required.

'Haagse Havens' focuses on three specific case studies: Autonia - linking the area's current cultural (car-dominated) identity to its future development; Hybrid Kiosk - about the creation and use of public facilities as a catalyst for public space; Case Study House - about creating room for ‘wild housing' in this industrial setting ruled by a Nuisance Act and environmental rules and regulations. The first result of these case studies will be presented during the IABR.

5th IABR: Making City
The 5th IABR is open to the public from 20 April 2012. Various exhibitions and debates will take place at the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi). In addition, plans for the future will be presented at venues in the centre of Rotterdam. The Schieblock building will be the hub with a series of events, exhibitions, pop-up stores and pocket parks. The 5th IABR will also present exhibitions in Almere, São Paulo and Istanbul, an international conference, debates and lectures, publications and, in partnership with the VPRO broadcaster, TV and radio programs.
For the full program: www.iabr.nl