With the structural vision of Kennispark, the ambitions for 2030 have been worked out in more detail. The new construction of the Demcon Technology Centre and Ecare, the renovation of the former Enterprise House, and the development of the area surrounding the renewed Hogekamp. These are current developments that show a glimpse of the new Kennispark. But in what way are they related to the structural vision, and the area as a whole? In this article, we briefly outline where the priorities are. Your support is incredibly important, by the way. At the bottom of this article, you will find a link to submit an opinion, with which you express your support for these plans! Have you not been able to check out the Structural vision Kennispark 2030 yet? Download it here!
Areal strategy, action plans, structural vision: where are we now?
Kennispark is on the move. A logical consequence is that many questions accompany these developments. Where are we going? What does this mean for my company? And what is the importance of a structural vision when an areal strategy is already in place? The structural vision is an important next step that originates from the second pillar in the areal strategy: building a dynamic prime location. It lies at the foundation for the zoning plan. Facilitating and stimulating connection and meetings are two very important themes in this. To achieve this, investing in more spatial quality is essential. “not only the content is important, but the shape also determines how attractive an area is”, alderman Eelco Eerenberg emphasised in the conversation with Tubantia, prior to the tour on Wednesday, June 19th at Kennispark.
Three challenges for one area
Urban planner Markus Götz of the municipality of Enschede shows, on the structure map, where the borders of the Kennispark lie. Within those three borders, three challenges have been set. Markus explains: “The approximately 80 buildings, all with different owners, indicate a strong fragmentation. They are all individual solutions per lot. We plan to gradually reduce this to just one solution for the entire area.” Two other challenges have been formulated in the structural vision that are closely related to this one. We must make choices that are beneficial for the area as a whole, and not for the individual companies. The third challenge is about organising that influence, and the cooperation and coordination that is needed to keep full management control.
Transformation to a campus feeling
So, one area. We continue along the Hengelosestraat to the Technology Centre of Demcon. Exemplary is the image of the new building and the adjacent vacant building on the corner of the Hengelosestraat. Kennispark Program Manager Erik Rouwette: “This building has been vacant for years. Ultimately, those buildings must become more connected to each other for a real campus feeling, where you can work pleasantly and at the same time also like to stay.” Anne-Wil Lucas, the area director, adds: “With this, it’s also about the question who we want there and not a first-come-first-serve basis. That is what we want to prevent using the structural vision. Transforming the outlying area is the starting point, not what the plans of the entrepreneur are. This also means the architecture must be coordinated. We need to keep an eye out for each other.”
Adding residential functions and shared facilities
Creating a campus feeling also has a lot to do with offering residential functions. These residential functions should be situated along the Innovatiepad, combined with suitable facilities such as cafes and retail, which encourages meeting in the area. A good example that already shows the first contours of this intended campus feeling is the new building of software company Ecare. Student, visitor, customer or employee: soon everyone will be able to eat a sandwich there. In other words, a shared facility that is publicly accessible. Anne-Wil Lucas: “This is precisely the dynamic we want to create in several more spaces. Thanks to this spread, shorter distances are created, giving more room to dynamics at the micro-level. We need to aim for the best possible mixing of functions.”
Investing in accessibility
We continue past NX Filtration where both free parking spaces can be seen, but also cars that are parked along the road. Erik Rouwette: “This shows exactly the essence of the parking problem that we want to get rid of.” With this, Rouwette is referring to reorganising parking at Kennispark: “More central parking provides more space for designing the public space. Anne-Wil: “We should let go of parking on private ground and create more mobility points.” Three important possible solutions are mentioned in the structural vision:
- Making more use of the parking capacity around the Grolsch Veste
- Realising built parking at a short distance from the buildings
- Optimising existing parking areas
Crossing the campus and the business park
Accessibility, in general, is an important theme in the structural vision. At the start of the tour, we already encountered an important accessibility problem that stands in the way of connection and meeting: the difficult crossing from the campus to the business park. The plan is to expand the bus stop opposite the Gallery in order to strengthen the possibilities for a physical crossing. A second plan is to create an extra bus stop by the forest on the Drienerbeeklaan. The shape this crossing should take is not yet certain, but possibilities are a bridge lying on top of the bus stops, or a glass tube above the traffic with a view of the entire Kennispark.
Integrated sustainability approach with BREEAM-NL Area Development
The structural vision focuses specifically on making the entire area more sustainable by using the BREEAM assessment. For many entrepreneurs, this approach is primarily known as an assessment and certification system for buildings. However, there is also a BREEAM approach that was renewed in 2018 and now bears the name BREAAM-NL Area Development. By integrally focusing on both Area and Buildings, the building aspect will need fewer investments. Obtaining a BREAAM-NL certificate for buildings is a lot easier if the area has already obtained a BREAAM-NL Area Development certificate.
Besides, sustainable, certified buildings contribute to obtaining a higher area certificate. We strive for the highest attainable scores, where we have the most influence.
