Embracing Heritage
and Ambition
Since 2000, there has been ambitious work underway to improve the historical center of Gennep. The strategy for spatial quality is based on a dynamic process that emphasizes steering towards quality, with the motto 'much can be achieved in Gennep as long as it yields quality' by adding sustainable and future-proof values. In collaboration with Gelders Genootschap, we have developed a visual quality guide for the center of Gennep and an opportunity book that presents spatial projects of medium to long-term interest.
"The spatial quality guide for the Heart of Gennep: Building a radiant city with a rich history."
The opportunity book does not contain directly feasible plans. It deliberately encourages thinking outside the box to explore possibilities for giving new impulses to the Heart of Gennep. The opportunities are formulated based on the belief that Gennep possesses several strong cultural-historical assets that could be better highlighted. These assets include its location near the Maas and Niers rivers, its railway heritage, and particularly its unique old town. The opportunities aim to showcase these three assets better and enhance their interconnectedness. The Heart of Gennep can become an even more beloved destination or living environment for its residents and the region.
"A revaluation of Gennep's historical core and a vision for spatial quality and sustainable growth."
Behind the main streets and the market, the space often expands and, in some cases, is even larger than the market itself. The urban fabric has eroded. The challenge is to create intimate streets, squares, and courtyards once again by adding buildings and greenery in a smart way. Behind the main streets, a different world can emerge, where people can wander and enjoy surprising glimpses of old buildings and beautiful spots. This opportunity is closely related to creating parking solutions outside the city center. The proceeds from new construction in the city center can be used for that purpose.
The former railway yard around the current Brabantweg is now a fragmented area, creating a barrier in the urban landscape. However, it could become a connecting, cohesive park zone, where the railway heritage is still visible. The tourist cycling route along the German Line could find an appealing extension here.
Quadrants
The center of Gennep consists of 4 quadrants. These are bounded by the Green Ditch and the Niers Quay. Each quadrant has its own characteristic that guides transformations. In each quadrant, there is a challenge to restore tranquility, coherence, and quality to cluttered street and building landscapes.
Eroded tissue
Behind the main streets and the Market, space often recedes in many places and is sometimes even larger in scale than the Market itself. The urban fabric has eroded. The challenge is to create intimate streets, squares, and courtyards here again by intelligently adding buildings and greenery.
Bringing back human scale
Behind the main streets, another world can emerge, where one can wander and enjoy surprising glimpses of old buildings and beautiful spots. This opportunity is naturally linked to creating parking solutions outside the city center. The proceeds from the new construction in the city center can be used for this purpose.
Beautification of the ring: A Vision on the Appearance of the Historic City Center
We also aim to make the outer ring of the city center attractive. For example, by creating a recognizable path that forms a ring around the built-up city center. This path would run along the inner side of the remaining sections of the city wall, through the "walstraten." Where there is no city wall present, the path visually continues in the pavement of the sidewalk. The outer edge of the built-up core will be adorned with a continuous garden wall featuring gates, interspersed with building facades. Along backyard gardens and inner courtyards, this wall will be slightly higher, while along front gardens, it can remain low.
A lot can be done in Gennep, as long as it delivers quality, adds value, is future-proof, and sustainable.
The new design quality guide for the historic Heart of Gennep is one of the building blocks of the spatial quality strategy. In addition to adding new qualities, the preservation and restoration of the historical cityscape are the starting point for building plans in the old town. Building plans should enhance the attractiveness of this area and incorporate more greenery.
Spatial organisation
The aim of this plan is to preserve, restore and further develop the historic cityscape. It emphasizes the preservation of characteristic differences between street scenes within the fortress belt, especially between major and informal streets. Each quadrant of the city will have its own character and the aim is to improve the experience of the green belt with the three gates.
Visual qualities
Rules have been carefully drafted to define clear guidelines for the placement and visual features of advertisements on facades within the historic center. These rules include an extensive list of requirements painstakingly designed to ensure a consistent and harmonious visual appearance throughout this cherished and historic area.
Rules of the game
This plan respects the historical features of the fan-shaped street pattern and the V-shaped junctions. The attractiveness of the new center is enhanced by representative architecture. The Spoorstraat is being revived as an important, tree-lined avenue that forms a green entrance to the heart of Gennep, where living is also attractive.
