Haarlem Italiëlaan

The Italiëlaan is a location that plays an important role in the renewal of the Schalkwijk neighbourhood in Haarlem, an orthogonal neighbourhood of flats from the 1960s. A number of them have been demolished to make room for new dwellings in other segments and for other target groups. This renewal is an initiative of the Haarlem local authority, Ymere and Pré Wonen. They want to strengthen the green character of the neighbourhood and to link it with the parks on either side.

We propose making the new residential zone as green as possible and to apply as little paving as possible. The inspiration for the atmosphere and feel of the new green area is the native botanical garden. A native botanical garden is planted with endemic flora for educational purposes, but is also beautiful and interesting. The concept was invented by Jac. P. Thijsse, who created the first endemic botanical garden in 1925: ‘Thijsse’s Hof’ in Bloemendaal.

The creation of gardens and parks with native plants follows the tradition of Schalkwijk: other parks in and around Schalkwijk, such as the Engelandpark, the Heempark, the Molenburgpark and the Molenpark, have been based since the 1970s on the idea of introducing nature in residential neighbourhoods.

We deploy the native botanical garden concept in a contemporary way to create an open, small-scale residential park. The four buildings stand with their feet in a relaxed, lightly sloping terrain with many flowers, as well as room to play. The alternation of highs and lows results in a gently sloping terrain which enables the user to experience the new park from a different perspective each time. We also design different dry and wet areas, in which the low areas can provide catchment and infiltration for excess rainwater, while ensuring diversity in the vegetation. The new residential park is open to the public. Through the visual and functional relations of the new residential park with its surroundings, particularly thanks to the wide spaces between the buildings, the result is a coherent and inviting whole.