Esplanade
The Municipality of Almere tasked the project team with developing,
in close collaboration with users and stakeholders, a public space that:
- fulfills a social and cultural role for the city,
- invites daily use, stay, encounter, and movement,
- accommodates large-scale events,
- and demonstrably contributes to climate adaptation and ecology.
At the same time, the outdoor space needed to function as a connecting
link between existing and future urban functions, including the Kunstlinie
cultural center, Flevo Hospital, existing residential buildings, hospitality
venues, a hotel, and the campus currently under development.
Design and Development
ECHO Urban Design developed an integrated landscape design in which the buildings, square, and waterfront function as a cohesive whole. Each building has its own forecourt that allows for flexible use. The Esplanade has been significantly greened, with large multifunctional lawns, wide pathways, and a terraced landscape with seating edges. This has created a public space that:
• can flexibly accommodate events for up to 20,000 visitors,
• is intensively used on a daily basis by residents, students, and visitors,
• encourages meeting, play, sports, and relaxation.
Large planting beds with perennial plants enhance biodiversity and provide a continuous spatial and sensory experience throughout the seasons. The quays and the beach make the Weerwater physically accessible and experiential, giving the area a strong landscape identity.
Use and social Impact
The Esplanade is used intensively and in multiple ways, at different times of the day and by a wide range of user groups. The space hosts festivals, open-air theatre, concerts, and sports events, while also being used daily for walking, skating, running, and boot camps. As a result, the Esplanade functions as a vibrant cultural and social waterfront in the heart of Almere.
The outdoor space invites visitors and local residents to meet, relax, and be active, while also providing cooling during hot summer days. The quays and the beach offer a unique spatial experience and create a strong connection with the Weerwater. In this way, the Esplanade proves itself as a multi-functional outdoor space with strong social value: residents and visitors use the place daily and make it their own.
Technical and Sustainable Innovations
The design combines intensive use with sustainability and climate adaptation through innovative and robust interventions. The use of reinforced grass allows large events to take place while maintaining green quality, and water storage has been integrated into the road foundation. The underlying Aquaflow system buffers approximately 1,200,000 liters of water, preventing flooding during peak rainfall.
In the specially designed water staircase, the buffered water is circulated, creating a playful water feature for children while also providing cooling during hot days.
Process and participation
A careful and intensive participation process formed the foundation of the design. ECHO began with stakeholder sessions involving cultural institutions, educational organizations, entrepreneurs, property owners, event organizers, and the municipality. Together, a Program of Requirements was established to guide the design.
Design proposals were subsequently discussed and refined in consultation meetings, resulting in a broadly supported design. ECHO developed the plan from Preliminary Design to Final Design and provided supervision during the implementation phase.
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