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Damsterplein: Life Cool Square

Artist’s impression of Damsterplein after the redesign

The Damsterplein is currently a square with a lot of paving. As a result, it gets very hot in the summer and there can be flooding when it rains heavily. That is why a new, climate-resilient design has been created. The EU has provided more than 1 million euros in funding for this.

Together with residents, entrepreneurs and young people, a plan has been made. This plan includes more greenery, and rainwater can better soak into the ground or be stored. The square will become a cool and pleasant place to meet, with space for small activities.

In the area where the old Damsterdiep used to be, a large green rooftop garden with European native plants will be created. This also restores the historical structure and connection with the city centre. Water will be stored under the square for dry periods. The entrance to the parking garage will be made safer and greener. The façade will get new cladding. Between the entrance to the building and the restaurant, there will be semi-paving and a terrace under the trees.

If the City Council approves the plan in December, the first construction work will start around the summer of 2026. The work will take about six months.

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The plan

A large elevated rooftop garden will be created on the square. Because this rooftop garden will be raised, there is enough space for grass, plants, and both small and large trees. There will also be an edge that can be used for seating. This edge will be made from reused materials: 30x30 paving tiles that have been cut in half. This was tested in a trial setup by students from Terra MBO at the Suikerterrein. The seating area will be made of European natural stone.

The rooftop garden will be built on the spot where the old Damsterdiep and the sluices used to be. In this way, we bring back the history of the location and improve the connection between the square, the Diepenring, and the city centre. On the north side, there will still be room for small activities, such as a book market, a small market, or dance classes. Four individual trees will also be added to the square. These trees, together with the greenery, will provide more shade and reduce heat in the summer. Rainwater can seep into the soil in the rooftop garden and will be stored there. Under the garden, there is a system that collects rainwater so it can be used later.

In the current paving of the square, lines can be seen that once connected the corridors and alleys around the Damsterplein. We will bring these lines back in the planting design so that no hidden corners are created. In the green areas, people can sit on the grass or under the trees. If the budget allows, we aim to add an educational element, such as interactive information about the plants and their value for people and animals. Along the façade of the former waiting room, which is now a restaurant, a green planting strip will be added. This will help all elements of the square connect smoothly.

The planting plan includes three types of areas: mowing paths, flower meadows, and woodland edges. We choose European, native plants that are good for nature. These species support biodiversity and look attractive in every season. The trees are carefully selected and planted, because the underground parking garage provides only limited space for roots to grow.

Impression of the elevated rooftop garden on the redesigned Damsterplein

Parking garage entrance

The pedestrian entrance of the parking garage in the middle of the square does not look very appealing at the moment. The stairs and the viewing platform were originally intended for events on the square, but those events no longer take place. The walls have water stains and are covered with graffiti. Local residents find it an unpleasant and unsafe place, especially around the stairs and the viewing platform. That is why the building will get a major makeover to make it feel safer and look nicer.

The roof and the stairs will be made greener with plants. A special seating element in the shape of old sluice doors will be added to the current stairs. This idea comes from the sounding board group and refers to the sluices that used to be at this location, whose doors are now at Nijestee. The viewing platform will be removed, and the façade will get a new, partly open appearance. Extra seating will be added along the entrance, making the building fit better with the green design of the square.

Rainwater collection

In the new green areas, rainwater can seep into the ground and be absorbed by the plants. On the square, rainwater is collected and used to water the plants. Between the old waiting room and the entrance to the parking garage, the stone tiles will be replaced with semi-paving, similar to the one on the Grote Markt. Because there is no parking garage underneath, rainwater can more easily soak into the ground in this area. This helps prevent flooding and reduces pressure on the sewer system.

In addition, a pleasant, cool place to sit will be created under the large existing plane tree. Along the blank wall of the old waiting room, the same raised edge with greenery will be added. This ensures that the structure of the diepen remains clearly visible from the Diepenring and the city centre.

LIFE-fund

The city of Groningen will receive € 1 million from the European Commission for a greening plan for Damsterplein. An application for this was submitted to the European LIFE Fund in 2020. With the LIFE program the European Commission wants to stimulate projects that fit within the European policy of nature, climate and the environment. The application for the Damsterplein has now been definitively approved. This is good news for the city as it means that the plan can be worked out. When the work is finished, Damsterplein will be the ‘coolest’ square in Groningen.

LIFE-family

The LIFE COOL SQUARE project is not the only project looking for climate adaptive solutions. There is a whole family of LIFE projects. Below you will find a number of examples

RE-PLAN CITY LIFE
The RE-PLAN CITY LIFE project aims to promote Circular Economy opportunities for Materials, Products and applications obtained from tyre recycling. Recycled Tyre Materials (RTMs) offer new materials like rubber, steel fibers, and textile fibers used in diverse applications, ranging from roads and buildings to sports surfaces. While significant efforts by European SMEs, supported by research projects and environmental policies, have been made, the market has not grown as expected.
The project focuses on expanding RTM use in Transport Infrastructures, Concrete and Building materials, and Sports and Leisure products and applications. Key objectives include raising awareness among stakeholders, expanding visibility for RTMs, promoting Green Public Procurement, and implementing Circular Economy principles.
See for more information on www.re-plancitylife.eu.