What will be the future of ring roads when self-driving cars – individual or shared – become mainstream and vehicles virtually emission-free, low-noise and compact? That is the fundamental question for the design study Highway x City, which envisions the future for Overschie in Rotterdam and the A13 highway that currently divides the neighbourhood.
The development of electric and self-steering cars is undeniably gaining momentum. After 2030, automation is expected to make sharing vehicles easier, resulting in fewer vehicles on the road with less environmental impact. The effect this development will have on the relationship between highway is far-reaching, but also largely unpredictable.
The A13 has been a pressure point in Overschie for quite a few years and the source of many problems.
Rather than tackling each of the problems individually, the study proposes a holistic approach to mobility, infrastructure, housing and the environment. This integrated approach requires all stakeholders to share responsibilities and to combine their financial resources. The result will be a strong and coherent plan which creates value through collaboration.
The study proposes a two-tier strategy. In the first phase, the urban structure is restored to prepare the area for (un)predictable future developments. In the second phase, when automated vehicles have become the standard, the area is then gradually fleshed out with the programme that will be needed at that time.
Instead of being an obstacle for future development, the proposed transformation of the A13 weaves highway and city together, giving Overschie a complete makeover.