AWAKENING TOWNS, to reuse the unused
In a world where a lot of cities are flourishing and developing, other towns are forgotten and are gradually drowning in an unknown future due to their post-industrial trauma!
Due to the closure of the coal mines industry in Heerlen, lots of people lost their jobs and decided to leave Heerlen. The decline of population and economy resulted in a lot of vacant housing and retail. Through a minimalistic architecture, this project syncs the up-cycling of plastic with new efforts of the nearby giant DSM corporation that is planning to become future-proof. Redundant and rundown retail spaces have been strategically transformed in order to also involve the public in the upcycling of plastic waste.
Creating a chain of recycling plastic clusters as a magnet tool to reset urban activities in response to the issue of shop vacancies in declining towns, in the context of Heerlen.
Master plan 1:1000
Overview of different shop vacancies located in the town center of Heerlen
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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A. Region of Limburg
B. Population growth from 1900- 2020
C. Coal mines locations in Heerlen
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Limburg considered as the most shrinking area in the Netherlands - Heerlen is most shrinking town in the region.
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Current situation of shop vacancy in Heerlen (1521 vacant retail spaces.
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1- A better mix of uses in the center
2- Create connections
3- A single organization takes over multiple smaller buildings.
4- Create connections between the buildings and surrounding public spaces.
5- To revive a shrinking city you need to build on its existing identity.
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Architectural principles per building.
Ground and first floor of the workshop building
