Rotterdam City Centre
Rotterdam is a harbour city with rough charm and a sparkling skyline. The city first gained importance in the 19th century, when its harbour grew
Rotterdam is innovative, creative, cosmopolitan – and a little rough around the edges.
After its city centre was eradicated in the Second World War, Rotterdam rose from the ashes and reinvented itself as a creative hub. Its harbour is the largest in Europe, and its architecture is the most daring in the Netherlands. Glossy skyscrapers can be found next to tiny infill projects, iconic architecture next to bottom-up initiatives. No wonder that the city has a thriving architecture scene, including renowned offices such as OMA and MVRDV.
Let us show you the most dynamic city in the Netherlands!
Rotterdam Key Topics
- urban planning
- highrise architecture
- harbour conversions
- (affordable) housing
- left-over spaces
- water management
- sustainability
- bottom-up
- mobility
- urban renewal
Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht
“Amsterdam is a city with a harbour, Rotterdam is a harbour with a city”, goes a popular saying. However, the port of Rotterdam has been
Water Management and Climate Adaptation
Due to its location in the delta of the Rhine, Rotterdam is often referred to as ‘delta metropolis’. As impressive as that may sound, it
City Harbours in Transformation
The harbour of Rotterdam moved several times throughout the centuries, looking for places which could accommodate its growth as well as the increasing size of
Innovative Housing
Housing is currently a big issue in Rotterdam. The heavily disputed housing policy document ‘Woonvisie Rotterdam 2030’ envisages the demolition of 15,000 cheap flats and
Highlights of Post-War Modernism
The historic centre of Rotterdam was completely destroyed in World War II and rebuilt after the war, based on a modernist urban plan. After the
New Railway Stations
The west of the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated areas in Europe, and many people commute between cities by train. The railway
“Both guides did an excellent job, they were very well prepared and provided us with very interesting insights! Thank you for designing a customized programme for us!”
Anja Bandorf, BNP Landscape Architects, Zurich, Switzerland
“You showed us the ‘new Rotterdam’. We loved the professional expertise of the guide as well as his sympathetic way of presenting the projects. Thank you for the great organization and guiding!”
Birgit Striegl, RBS GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany