Rotterdam: Reinvention and Innovation

We marked ING’s 25th anniversary with a special excursion. But where would you take almost 50 built world specialists? To ensure we satisfied our architecture, infrastructure and city experts, there was really only one choice. From the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Keilehaven Tidal Park and the country's first Urban Surf Park, the question was, why did it take us so long to visit?

Rotterdam’s recent history is fascinating. It suffered significant bomb damage at the start of the Second World War and was gutted to a state of tabula rasa – but for a couple of historic buildings that survived. It meant that a new approach to urban planning was required.

A number of proposals were considered, which included rebuilding the historic centre, then a new plan focused on infrastructure and zoning strategy.

Despite that sizable rebuild, the city has evolved significantly again since the post-war City of Reconstruction plan was implemented.

Rotterdam in many ways, is unique. But its proactive approach to redesign and urban innovation is the reason why the team at ING made the four-hour trip, via Eurostar, to the Netherlands’ second city.

We’re all self-confessed lovers of architecture, design, culture, city placemaking and everything that goes into creating the built world. We looked to Rotterdam as a city that would both educate and inspire; a city that would help us to think differently about the built world – and we weren’t disappointed.

As communications specialists, what is particularly striking about Rotterdam is the way that the city capitalises on its unique architecture, and unique story, to market itself. Back during the Reconstruction Era (from 1947 to late 1960’s) exhibitions and guided tours showcased the construction work and the redevelopment plans.

A special monthly magazine accompanied an annual Construction Day (Opbouwdag), which allowed the public to marvel at the upcoming plans. Think of Rotterdam now and you think of Rem Koolhaas and Winy Maas. Or maybe it’s the striking yellow Cubehouses (Piet Blom), or the Markthal (MVRDV), or De Rotterdam (OMA). In the city centre at least, no two buildings are the same. This deliberate approach to design is not only visibly distinctive, but creates cultural capital and amplifies ‘Brand Rotterdam’ in a distinctive way from the country's other cities.

One of its most recent ‘icons’ – and the first stop on the ING tour – is the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. Designed by MVRDV, the bowl-shaped building is wrapped with 1,660 mirrored panels and beautifully reflects the Rotterdam skyline in its façade. Home to 150,000 artworks, the first-of-its-kind facility allows visitors to explore behind the scenes of art storage, restoration and processing. It’s the pinnacle of creativity and imagination – with space for biodiversity and greenery on its rooftop.

But Rotterdam isn’t just a city of standout architecture. It’s also a city of innovation, urban regeneration and curiosity. It leads the way in creative solutions that tackle some of the greatest challenges of the current day. With 90% of the city below sea level, Rotterdam’s innovators are face-to-face with the harsh realities of climate change.  neighbourhoods. The city is littered with pockets of space that are being reimagined; creating more sustainable and biodiverse neighbourhoods for all.

On a walking tour of historic and modern wonders, we visited the Netherlands’ first urban surf pool – an imaginative way to reposition and celebrate the city’s waterways. With some 4,000 cubic metres of water syphoned from the Rotte River and cleaned through an energy-efficient drum filter system. The walk took us past the Keilehaven Tidal Park, a scheme which is a brilliant example of reimagining a former industrial harbour into green and blue public space.

As a city, Rotterdam is a living embodiment of imagination, strategic intervention and activity. Its approach to city planning and future-proofing is both experimental and sophisticated. A city built – and often marketed around – architecture and modern heritage.

Why didn’t we visit earlier?