Memory of the Designed Landscape
Zuiderpark
The Zuiderpark is a good example of the landscape design and master plans of the Landscape Architecture Department of the Municipality of Rotterdam. At 215 hectares, the Zuiderpark is the largest urban park in the Netherlands. Created in 1952, it was completely renovated in 2006. The aim was to make the park accessible to all the residents of the Rotterdam Zuid district once more.
The collections of the Landscape Architecture Department and its predecessors contain valuable designs and documentation of landscape architecture projects within the municipality and the archive is therefore of great importance. It provides an insight into the development of the design, management and use of Rotterdam’s outdoor spaces over time in relation to the built environment. The archive literally functions as the ‘memory of the city’.
However, the material preservation of these designs is problematic. Restructuring and relocations have resulted in the loss of material. In addition, a lack of staff, financial resources and expertise often makes the archive chaotic and difficult to access.