The discovery of the Maasplein

Commissioned by CBK Rotterdam Hans Venhuizen developed a vision of the Southern Entrances.

At the initiative of Bureau Venhuizen, Rotterdam opens in 2009 a new public plaza, called MAASPLEIN. This new plaza is located in the centre of the city and is developed by connecting a number of quays around the most defining quality of the city, the water. This is not a construction of the MAASPLEIN but a real discovery. To improve the connection with the current qualities of the city, a renewed city-hug with the central and most spectacular water of the city ‘De Nieuwe Maas’ arises.

‘Rondje Maasplein’ makes it possible to see the heart of the city from all sides: it puts the northern and southern part of the city strongly together. The missing link to this circle is a connection with the Maashaven. Bureau Venhuizen suggests moving De Hef ( a lift bridge), which is brilliant but unemployed, to here. De Hef then connects De Maastunnel on the Charloisse Hoofd with the Kaap and the Wilhelminakade and the Kop van Zuid.