Schieveen Polder north of Rotterdam is part of the Green Heart of the Randstad and in principle cannot be built on. All the same, the City of Rotterdam wants to develop a business park there in association with Natuurmonumenten, a non-governmental nature conservation organization. Another part of the polder is to be developed along natural lines by way of compensation. My project takes up this latter task and explores the possibilities of combining economic activity with a high-grade landscape eco-system. The proposal is to have advantageous results at the regional, provincial and local levels.

I decided to develop my project in accordance with the concept of Ecological Networks. By using this scientific methodology and analysis, the process can be monitored and repeated in planning processes at other sites. In the case of Schieveen, the ecological analysis led me to conclude that a wetland would be the best ecosystem for the area. This would benefit the region's sustainability and the wetland condition would further enhance the productive qualities on site. The water could be purified and stored and the area used for recreation and as a habitat for game. At the regional scale it means that the ecological network is strengthened. The business park must be designed so as to prevent the landscape from fragmenting further. Lastly, the site and its surrounding context have to become part of the regional ecological network. The Ecological Networks model makes it possible to maximize the level of biodiversity.

It is difficult establishing how much scientific knowledge is needed for a design proposal that enhances the ecological qualities of a chosen area. This is mainly because the landscape and the cities are constantly changing so that we can never be fully informed about the ecological state of play. The further we look into the future, the greater the uncertainties become. So it is important that we proceed from the present degree of sustainability in the ecological conditions on site and get this up to the maximum feasible level. Within these parameters, sustainability relates as much to the ecological aspects of the location or the project as to the social and economic aspects. It is all about creating the best possible departure-point for the future and building in enough leeway to be able to take up unforeseen developments. Further, it is important to avoid encouraging negative reactions, and to use the information currently available to the best of our ability. In the words of Paul Opdam: 'We need to start designing spatial solutions to fragmentation of our habitats and we have to start doing it now. We will continue to learn as we move forward with this, as it is a relatively new process and something that needs to happen quickly, perhaps without the luxury of learning prior to application' (Paul Opdam, 'Creating networks for nature', Branch Workshop, Kent, UK, 2007).

Place of education: Wageningen Universiteit | Specialization: landscape architecture | Tutors: Harro de Jong, Paul Opdam, Jusuck Koh