Smakkelaarsveld

Developer: City of Utrecht
Status: Draft functional design

The Smakkelaarsveld has traditionally formed the gateway to the historic city centre. In the future it will once again be the focal point for a wide variety of atmospheres and activities. The key elements are the connection of the Leidsche Vaart to the Catharijnesingel canal, the new library and the Music Palace. The Smakkelaarsveld will be a green open space, a place that is removed from the liveliness that surrounds it. It will be restored to a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself. The Smakkelaarsveld is a complex environment where space is needed for the High-quality Public Transport (bus, taxi) lanes, water, the library and routes for through traffic. Although the Smakkelaarsveld itself will not be renovated until around 2014, it is necessary that a number of requirements are laid down now. This in order to avoid that cables and pipes are installed at places where we would actually want to have trees.

The library and the Smakkelaarsveld should become one logical entity. The ambitions regarding this place have changed from a place that you pass, to a place where you want to stay. The water structures of the Catharijnesingel and the Leidsche Rijn will be restored. As has already been done at the existing part near Lombok, the Leidsche Rijn will have a stone quay on the south side and a green slope on the north side.