Hart van de Waalsprong sets new standard for mixed-use

“Hart van de Waalsprong is a mixed-use area development that I was involved in from the beginning. Next year it will be completely ready. Now that it is 80% complete, we already see that the area is being used by residents, visitors and entrepreneurs as we intended. That's wonderful!” According to Thijs, the area has an unusual combination of urbanity and coziness: “On sunny days there is a pleasant vibe on the square. You see children playing by the water element, but also students, hipsters and construction workers sitting on the terrace or a bench. Truly urban.”

There was no defined plan for this part of the district eight years ago. “In the tender, several parties were asked to come up with a suitable solution for a mixed-use area in the center of the Waalsprong district. In a consortium with real estate developer VanWonen, we were able to turn it into a project that fits AM's ambitions and won the tender as a result.” A project that makes an impact and looks beyond the obvious and adds value to society.. We do this using our three impact themes.

Thijs is enthusiastic about what has been achieved in the field of sustainability. “When we started with this area eight years ago, we wanted to set a new standard for sustainability for this mixed-use area. Because we are responsible for the development of the entire area, we can achieve so much more than just putting up a number of sustainable buildings. We also realize the infrastructure and public space here, even down to the art work. That new standard, it's there. We have realized a progressive area.”

The homes and shopping center are gasless and climate neutral. The houses and apartments are connected to the heat grid and equipped with solar panels for power, the shopping center is mostly electric, and power is offset via solar panels on the roof of the parking building. In addition to being energy-neutral, the area is climate-adaptive and nature-inclusive. “For example, we have applied rainwater retention roofs and we have also constructed wadis. These are sunken green areas to which water is directed via gutters during heavy rainfall. More rainfall is the new reality. Therefore, we have reserved space for this water.”

In addition, there is a lot of greenery on the facades and in the streets, which provides cooling on hot days, as does the water-play element. A lot of attention is also paid to sustainable mobility. Thijs: “In the parking hub there are shared cars that residents can use with vouchers. By doing so, we hope that people will feel less need to buy a second car, for example.”

Hart van de Waalsprong is not only a sustainable neighborhood. There is also an area realized that impacts people. “We have developed housing and facilities here for both larger and smaller households and for people with higher and lower incomes. Furthermore, part of the social housing is reserved for Driestroom, an organization for people with disabilities who live in assisted living.” In the area, attention has been paid to the well-being and social needs of all residents. Thijs gives numerous examples, from the cars that have been removed from the streetscape so that children can play outside more easily and safely, to the indoor bicycle racks at the apartments positioned next to the entrance so that residents can more easily take their bikes. And also the paths along the Waal and Spiegelwaal that invite walking.

The carefully selected local entrepreneurs also contribute to the nice atmosphere that prevails in the area. “Of course the obvious retail chains such as Albert Heijn, Kruidvat and Hema can be found in the shopping center, but you can also find local entrepreneurs such as a florist, a vending machine called Appeltje Eitje where you don't pull croquettes but products from local farmers out of the wall, a children's lifestyle store and food bar Sound & Soul. This business is like a living room for the neighborhood. They host open mic nights and when there are important soccer games, there is a screen on the square. They are a booster of community spirit, which is really special.” Thijs and his team are happy to go the extra mile to bring this kind of business to the mall as well. “It takes a little more guidance, because these entrepreneurs are often start-ups and we also have to convince the investor that their business will last, but it gives so much more attractiveness to the whole neighborhood. The combination of retail chains and local tastemakers makes for good cross-pollination.” Anyone walking around Hart van de Waalsprong will agree. Cozy? Inspiring? Progressive? Yes indeed!