The Idea

Hofplein was once a lively spot in the heart of Rotterdam. After twenty years, this area has been neglected and detached. The Hofplein’ surroundings illustrate a blind spot in the centre of the city. Rotterdam Central District carries the advantage of being a prime location in the city, however it is dominated by abandoned open spaces and vacant high rise buildings. In the context of the current market oriented economy it would take years for redevelopment to begin. The city cannot afford to wait: the question of space is too complex to address in the future. Therefore it is the responsibility of Rotterdam to react to the problem of abandoned and derelict spaces. In order to achieve this, new entrepreneurs and residents should be enthused to contribute to the development of a progressive public space.