SuDS in London - a guide

5.22 Benthemplein (Water Square)
Location
Rotterdam
Netherlands
Extent
0.95ha
Cost
£3.175m (Total scheme)
Date
2013
Credits
City of Rotterdam
Schieland and Krimpenerwaard
Urbanstein
Wallaard
ACO
Topcourts
SuDS components
Detention basins
Rills
Summary
Multi-functional public realm regeneration.
Project description
Benthemplein is in central Rotterdam,
north-east of Rotterdam Centraal station.
It is bounded by major city roads and
enclosed by medium rise buildings.
The low permeability paving of the site
meant it was not fulfilling its potential
of relieving localised flooding in adjacent
areas. This put pressure on the combined
sewer overflow of the Nieuwe Maas.
Due to the proximity to areas of flooding
and the opportunity for restructuring
of space, the City of Rotterdam and
stakeholders, including church and student
communities, looked to re-imagine the
function of the square, as part of the
Rotterdam Climate Initiative.
Objectives
• Reduce flood risk
• Provide recreational opportunities
Actions and results
• Detention basins increase the
attenuation storage capacity of the
site to 1,700m³. Uniquely, the three
detention basins provide a recreation
space that is transformed as water
is attenuated in the basins
• Rills convey water from the surrounding
ground surfaces and buildings into
the detention basins. Each basin has
its own sub-catchment taking runoff
from certain surfaces and buildings and
incorporates waterfalls, fountains and an
outside baptistery for use by the church
Benefits
• Water management has the
added benefit of creating a novel
multiple-use public realm space
• Approximately 4,000m² of existing
parking and street access has been
kept to allow space for vehicles
• Interventions such as the baptistery,
sports goals and shaded seating has
allowed for a range of stakeholders’
needs to be addressed
119 5 Case studies