Man and nature haven't been getting along for some time now. The distinction between the two in the Western world-view has led, particularly in the past century, to a negative self-image of man polluting and disrupting a nature in need of help. This help could be given by unselfishly providing nature with areas of its own where it could proceed undisturbed by the human element. However, the fact that nature should be laid out without personal gain, has meant that the government's planned Ecological Main Structure has made little if any headway and existing nature areas are getting particularly stingy treatment. Integrating the ecological brief with others is more efficient, and more interesting. In Concervus Mix this is achieved by combining the large urban and ecological programmes in the polder of Zuid-Flevoland. We see man and animals as two species that both need food, others of their species and recreation. The way each achieves its aim is different, and a link for one can be a barrier for the other. We make use of this fact in this design by having Almere and the lakes of Oostvaardersplassen mesh in mutual expansion as a new wetland area where human settlement is isolated on islands. The western part of the wetland area is readily accessible to humans through the great expanse of open water. The eastern part is relatively dry and therefore less easily reached by boat. Accordingly, the area works as an ecological link between Oostvaardersplassen and the Horsterwold wildlife area to the south-east. Here, a wide variety in housing density and dwelling types may obtain. Here too, leisure-seekers are confined most of all by their own boundaries. In addition, the wetlands do duty as a water retention area. New highways atop dykes are links for us, but for large mammals they are barriers to keep them away from the surrounding farmlands. Piercements in the dykes provides ways through from one area to another. These could be closed if necessary, say in the event of foot-and-mouth disease. The wetlands reach right inside Almere, forming a front along which the city can compact and with which it can identify.

Place of education: Wageningen UR
Specialization: landscape architecture
Tutors: Paul Roncken, Jaap Lengkeek, Hanneke Kijne