Doetinchem Spoorzone

The Spoorzone is Doetinchem's largest inner-city project combining working, living, learning and mobility. In our sketch plan, we describe a future vision for a productive urban district around the railway station in the heart of the Achterhoek.

The vision took shape around a broad participation process with residents, entrepreneurs, area partners and other stakeholders. The vision demonstrates that the Achterhoek economy could be strengthened by adding 2,000 - 3,000 jobs, with plenty of room for innovation, craftsmanship, production and experimentation. At the same time, the area will be densified with and additional 1,000 - 2,500 homes, education and social facilities, culture and commerce.

Robust framework
The relationship with the landscape will be restored by extensive tree planting. A redeveloped Old IJssel Park on the site of the old river branch brings water back into the city. Four character areas are proposed to build on the existing qualities, each with its own characteristics, atmosphere and programme mix. A 'ring structure' and hub strategy around the city centre is proposed to create more space for greenery, (cycle) paths, squares and other places to stay. Through clever repositioning of parking and the bus station, when you arrive from the station you land directly in the heart of the city.

Neighbourliness in the rail zone
The vision gives special attention to the notion of ‘Neighbourliness’ as the Achterhoek's strength. New developments should encourage residents and users to meet as well as a sense of community and togetherness between people. Buildings are 'layered' into neighbourhoods with courtyards, collective courtyards, semi-public squares and parks. This ensures a high degree of privacy on the one hand and space to shape the living environment yourself on the other. This introduces the 'colourful' building block as a building principle. Clever programme mixes create cross-pollination between people and ideas and strengthen the city's innovative power and economy.

Achterhoek, a circular region
The Achterhoek is a forerunner in the circular economy. The vision therefore sees the railway zone as a test area, booster and exemplar of this. Efforts are being made to accelerate housing construction by prefabricating and dismantling buildings. There is room for a shared hub where residual flows, energy and logistics are brought together, stored and distributed. The vision also works towards a renewed sustainable relationship with the surrounding countryside by producing bio-based materials such as flax, straw and reeds. Separate interventions in the Spoorzone are thus linked together, creating robust systems and growing the impact of the circular economy in the Achterhoek.

Open plan process
The vision was prepared in continuous cooperation with residents, entrepreneurs and area partners. During several 'area cafes', progress was discussed and the vision was shaped. VR demonstrations, primary school talks and one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders ensured layered and tailored participation.

Different characters
Different character areas are emerging within the railway zone, each with its own attributes that reinforce each other. This palette of urban environments ensures that the railway zone complements the city centre.