The strategy for Goeree-Overflakkee aims to combine improvement of the coast line experience, the fresh water system and the historical creeks with development for the leisure economy and it's infrastructure, while gaining critical mass for the island's commerce and facilities.
In 2008 FABRIC completed the study ‘Eigenwijs Eiland’, which aimed to investigate what spatial quality is wasted by ignoring the island’s potential. An analysis of the islan in its context showed unmistakenly how a set of opportunities was ready to be exploited. With this continuing project FABRIC shows how leisure economy and new living accommodations can increase spatial quality and create new nature areas.
"The proposals not only strenghten the recreational possibilities of Goeree-Overflakkee, but are also able to solve water quality issues, support town facilities and create new landscapes."
At nine locations, mainly located at the coast of the island and outside the dikes, a sustainable combination of economic and ecologic development is proposed. The proposals not only strenghten the recreational possibilities of Goeree-Overflakkee, but are also able to solve water quality issues, support town facilities and create new landscapes.
At Brouwersdam, Ooltgensplaat and Herkingen the entrance experience to the island is addressed from both water and land. At Stellendam and Middelharnis the historic morphology of the island is revived by emphasizing the head and body of the island and creating new sandbanks. The archipelago at Oude Tonge offers the opportunity for a short-stay marina near the Krammersluizen.
Three sites at the northern part of Goeree-Overflakkee: Brouwersdam, Ouddorp and Stellendam (left to right)
A tidal power plant is planned at the Brouwersdam, the southwest entrance to Goeree-Overflakkee. The dam is also a connection for pleasure yachts between Grevelingenmeer and the Northsea.
New recreational accommodations like a boat-inn hotel and semi-permanent appartments could go along with a coastal route development, marking the experience of the changing tide.
Combining coast safety and landscape development provides new opportunities for year-round use and coast living for Ouddorp.
There are few places in the Netherlands where it is possible to live on the beach or in the dunes. Developping new semi-permanent dwellings and accommodation typologies ('glamping') makes it possible to redevelop the landscape.
Stellendam historically forms the connection between the northern part ('head') and middle section of the island.
Four sites in the middle section of Goeree-Overflakkee: Stellendam, Melissant, Middelharnis and Herkingen (top to bottom)
Melissant is one of the few towns positioned inland on the island, next to one of the island's oldest ring dikes.
Playing golf in the wet creek landscape inside the dike and in the wet slikken landscape outside the dike creates a unique experience, which could be attractive to seniors looking for a quiet place to live.
The town of Middelharnis is - like many of Goeree-Overflakkee's towns - connected to the lake by a kilometer-long canal.
Restoring the old sand plate in front of the town could create a rich landscape with a combination of nature, water retention and recreational development.
Herkingen has two recreational harbours, but the village has no visual connection to the lake.
By growing a floating village with (semi-)permanent housing and yachting facilities, the town would be able to keep its facilities.
Three sites at the south side of Goeree-Overflakkee: Oude Tonge, Mariadijk and Ooltgensplaat (left to right).
Oude Tonge houses one of the largest recreational harbours of Goeree-Overflakkee, lying strategically along the route from Volkerak to Grevelingenmeer and Oosterschelde.
The archipelago at Oude Tonge's coastline could become a place for shortstay leisure, connected by ferries to the town's unique housing areas and commercial facilities.
Mariadijk has always been a place of freedom, where people go to relax and to meet with a beautiful view on the Volkerak lake.
A spectacular viewpoint at the size of the existing wind turbines, combined with a bar and restaurant would bring new visitors to the island.
Ooltgensplaat is located at the eastern entrance to the island near to the A29, A4 and A59 highways to Rotterdam, Antwerp and West-Brabant.
Ooltgensplaat is named after the wetland that lies inbetween Hollands Diep and Volkerak lake. The old fortress still reminds of the strategic militairy location this town had in the history of the Netherlands. The landscape makes a fantastic background for sports and adventure activities.
