Posted Aug 13, 2014, 10:07 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 15,728
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The Surprising Shock of the New in Rotterdam, Holland
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The skyline is not the only thing that's changing in Rotterdam - an experimental restaurant, a colossal market hall, a floating forest and a UNESCO World Heritage 20's tobacco factory, are just some of the new kids on the block.
Rotterdam always seems to be hiding in the shadow of its sibling, Amsterdam, but for my money it has far more to offer. Although its historic centre was obliterated by Nazi bombs on a fateful night in WW2, it's managed to rise from the ashes and the result is an invigorating and inspiring city. Don't forget that it's also a major port and its cosmopolitan population gives it a multi-cultural edge, reflected in its food and arts. Fortunately, the Germans couldn't destroy the waterways and it's always a pleasure to turn a street corner and come across yet another canal.
I visit the city every year, usually for the North Sea Jazz Festival, and I'm always pleasantly surprised by changes on the skyline. The most recent addition is De Rotterdam - what they call a vertical city on the Wilhelmina Pier, right next to the cruise terminal. It occupies a footprint the size of a football field, yet its 6 randomly stacked blocks reach 150 meters, overlooking the water. It's in good company, joining the towers of Montevideo by Mecanoo, Norman Foster's World Port Centre and Renzo Piano's KPN building, right next to the Erasmus Bridge.
Markthal
I always enjoy shopping at the city centre market in Binnenrotte which always has a wide range of cheese, fish, bread and meat. Surinam vegetables, Vietnamese spring rolls, exotic herbs and fruit make it a multi-cultural destination but it's only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
That's all set to change as they've been building a futuristic covered Market Hall close by and this is set to open in the autumn. It'll be a permanent home to more than 100 fresh produce stalls, plus flower and plant vendors. On the 1st floor there'll be food shops and restaurants and even a cookery school. This is a welcome overdue addition to the outdoor market.
The Bobbing Forest
Just across from De Rotterdam, Colombian artist, Jorge Bakker, is creating his Bobbing Forest in the disused harbour basin of Rijnhaven. The idea is that 20 trees, placed in buoys, will increase the green space of the inner city. And, of course, research has shown that the only tree that can root and grow in the buoys is the Dutch Elm.
At the moment the prototype tree is being tested and monitored and the plan is to populate the Rijnhaven in 2015. I look forward to my next visit to Rotterdam, not just to see the Bobbing Forest but everything else that is new - I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rupe...b_5650231.html
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