Avontureneiland: Playful Water & Climate Solution
- In recent years, the municipality of Borne has increasingly faced challenges related to water overload.
- According to David Vermorken, alderman of Borne, "we saw that the Wensink-Noord and Wensink-Zuid districts were significant links." He explained that "By realizing water storage there,we could reduce...
- Avontureneiland offers a unique experience, moving away from standard playground equipment and rigid paving.
Turning Challenge into Possibility: Borne’s Innovative Approach to Water Management
Table of Contents
- Turning Challenge into Possibility: Borne’s Innovative Approach to Water Management
- Borne’s Innovative Water Management: Q&A on Avontureneiland and Climate Resilience
- What is Avontureneiland, and why was it created?
- How does Avontureneiland adapt to different seasons?
- What role did community involvement play in the development of Avontureneiland?
- How does Avontureneiland contribute to biodiversity?
- What is the “bat Hotel” in Avontureneiland?
- What are the next steps for borne in terms of climate resilience?
- How is Borne incorporating circularity into its redesign plans?
- What is the “Groene Long” (green Lung), and how does it relate to Avontureneiland?
- What lessons can other municipalities learn from Borne’s approach?
- Key Project Details: Avontureneiland and Groene Long
In recent years, the municipality of Borne has increasingly faced challenges related to water overload. The town center, along with the Wensink-Noord and wensink-Zuid districts, have experienced significant flooding and sewer overflows due to heavy rainfall. The Basic Sewerage Plan 2020 identified the need for strategic interventions to combat these issues.
According to David Vermorken, alderman of Borne, “we saw that the Wensink-Noord and Wensink-Zuid districts were significant links.” He explained that “By realizing water storage there,we could reduce the pressure on the center. But instead of a purely technical solution, we wanted to create something that adds more to the neighborhood.” This vision led to the creation of Avontureneiland (Adventure Island) and the adjacent Groene Long (Green Lung), transforming water management into a central element of public space.
A Playground That Adapts to the Seasons
Avontureneiland offers a unique experience, moving away from standard playground equipment and rigid paving. Rather, it features natural play elements, logs for climbing, and shallow water features where children can play. Koen baart, project leader for sustainable area growth in Borne, explains, “We wanted a place where children can playfully come into contact with water and nature.” He emphasizes that it’s “not just children, but actually all residents. This is a place where young and old can come together.”
What sets Avontureneiland apart is its ability to adapt to the weather. In dry periods,it serves as a landscape of grass and sand,while after heavy rainfall,water visibly flows through the area. This conscious use of natural processes ensures that the space has a different appearance throughout the year, enhancing its appeal and functionality.
A Different Way of Looking at Water Management
From the outset, the community was actively involved in the planning process. The municipality engaged with residents and schools to understand their priorities. “Participation was essential,” says Baart. “We didn’t want to just present a design, but really listen to the wishes from the district.This is how the idea arose to see avontureneiland not only as a playground, but also as an educational and social meeting place.” The local primary school is exploring educational applications, considering a “tiny forest” or a nature education route to teach children about biodiversity and water management from a young age.
while the project has garnered significant support, initial reactions were mixed. ”Some residents had to get used to the idea. A natural playground looks different from a traditionally landscaped park. In the spring and summer it is beautifully green, but in the fall and winter it looks rougher. That requires a different way of looking at things.” Fortunately, Vermorken notes that gratitude is growing. “Peopel are increasingly understanding that a climate-adaptive design is not only necessary, but also really adds something to the neighborhood.”
Bats and Watercourses: Nature as a Starting Point
The design of Avontureneiland considered not only water management and play value but also ecology. “For example, when demolishing an old school building, we came across an underground cellar where bats lived,” Baart recounts. “We couldn’t just remove them. In consultation with the province, we decided to leave the cellar and incorporate it into the plan in a different way. It has now been renamed the bat hotel.”
Moreover, the island was designed to contribute to biodiversity in the area. “We have thought about ecological connections so that plants and animals can find their way through the area. This creates not only a playground but also a habitat for various species.”
From Experiment to Source of Inspiration
The success of Avontureneiland has spurred further action. The municipality of Borne is now working on a multi-year investment plan to make more neighborhoods climate-resilient. The districts from the 60s and 70s are notably in need of redesign. “We are now looking at how we can make streets greener, how we can incorporate the energy transition, and how we can combine sewer replacement with climate measures,” says Vermorken.
Baart adds,”The Avontureneiland and the Groene Long were the first phase of the climate-adaptive redesign of Wensink-Zuid.” Currently, they are working with an engineering firm on a redesign plan for the remaining parts of the district, collaborating with students on a green-blue design plan for one of the streets. “We have also given the assignment to look at which materials can be reused. Circularity is also a theme that we are paying more and more attention to.”
Community involvement remains a priority. “We also see that residents from the district themselves have ideas about their street. For example, there is now a group of residents from the Trompstraat who are creating a ‘mood board’ with their ideas for a green and water-conscious environment. This ensures that our plans are really supported by the people who live there,” Baart explains. Vermorken emphasizes that collaboration is key to success. “The municipality can come up with all sorts of things, but ultimately residents and other parties must be able to agree with it. Climate adaptation is a shared duty.”
A Blueprint for the Future
Avontureneiland demonstrates how smart spatial planning can not only solve functional problems but also increase livability. “We want to show that climate-adaptive measures are not only necessary but also add value to the environment,” says Baart. “By giving water a visible and playful role in public space, it becomes not a problem, but an opportunity.”
The project in Borne can serve as a source of inspiration for other municipalities grappling with similar challenges. “What we are doing here is not a one-off experiment. This is a way of thinking that can be applied everywhere. We hope that other municipalities and designers will see that climate adaptation and quality of life can reinforce each other.”
Borne’s Innovative Water Management: Q&A on Avontureneiland and Climate Resilience
The municipality of Borne, Netherlands, faced increasing challenges with water overload due to heavy rainfall, leading to flooding and sewer overflows. to address these issues, Borne developed avontureneiland (Adventure Island) and the Groene Long (Green Lung) as a climate-adaptive solution that integrates water management with public space. this Q&A explores the project’s details, impact, and future implications.
What is Avontureneiland, and why was it created?
Avontureneiland is an innovative public space in Borne designed to manage water effectively while providing recreational and educational opportunities.
Purpose: Created to address water overload issues in the Wensink-Noord and Wensink-Zuid districts, aiming to reduce pressure on the town center.
Vision: To move beyond purely technical solutions and create something that enhances the neighborhood.
Key Features: Natural play elements, climbing logs, shallow water features, and the ability to adapt to varying weather conditions.
How does Avontureneiland adapt to different seasons?
Avontureneiland’s design allows it to transform with the weather, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal throughout the year.
Dry Periods: Functions as a landscape of grass and sand, ideal for recreation.
After Heavy Rainfall: Water flows visibly thru the area, showcasing natural processes and managing excess water.
Year-Round Appeal: The changing appearance enhances its functionality and visual interest,making it a dynamic public space.
What role did community involvement play in the development of Avontureneiland?
Community involvement was a crucial aspect of the planning and development of Avontureneiland.
Municipality Engagement: Engaged with residents and schools to understand their priorities and wishes.
Collaborative Approach: Rather of presenting a pre-steadfast design, the municipality listened to community feedback.
Outcome: The project evolved into not only a playground but also an educational and social meeting place, deeply supported by the community.
How does Avontureneiland contribute to biodiversity?
Ecology was a key consideration in the design, focusing on enhancing biodiversity in the area.
Ecological Connections: Designed to facilitate the movement of plants and animals through the area.
Habitat Creation: Serves as a habitat for various species.
Bat Hotel: An underground cellar, once home to bats, was preserved and incorporated into the design as a “bat hotel.”
What is the “bat Hotel” in Avontureneiland?
The “Bat Hotel” is a repurposed underground cellar that provides a habitat for bats within Avontureneiland.
Discovery: Found during the demolition of an old school building.
Preservation: Instead of removing the bats, the municipality decided to leave the cellar intact.
Incorporation: The cellar was integrated into the design, renamed the “bat hotel,” and now serves as a protected habitat for bats.
What are the next steps for borne in terms of climate resilience?
Building on the success of Avontureneiland, Borne is taking further action to enhance climate resilience across its neighborhoods.
Multi-Year Investment Plan: The municipality is developing a plan to make more neighborhoods climate-resilient.
Focus on Older Districts: Redesigning districts from the 60s and 70s to incorporate green infrastructure and energy transition measures.
Integrated Approach: Combining sewer replacement with climate measures to maximize impact and efficiency.
How is Borne incorporating circularity into its redesign plans?
Circularity, the practice of reusing materials to reduce waste and environmental impact, is a growing theme in Borne’s projects.
Material Reuse: Investigating which materials from existing structures can be reused in new designs.
Green-Blue Design: Collaborating with students on developing green-blue designs for streets, emphasizing enduring materials and water management.
Community Ideas: Residents are contributing ideas for green and water-conscious environments in their streets, fostering community ownership and support.
What is the “Groene Long” (green Lung), and how does it relate to Avontureneiland?
The groene Long (Green Lung) is an adjacent area that, along with Avontureneiland, forms the first phase of the climate-adaptive redesign of Wensink-Zuid. It complements Avontureneiland by providing additional green space and contributing to the overall water management strategy of the area.
What lessons can other municipalities learn from Borne’s approach?
Borne’s Avontureneiland project offers valuable lessons for other municipalities facing similar climate challenges.
Integrated Solutions: Combine water management with recreational and ecological benefits to create multi-functional public spaces.
Community Engagement: Involve residents in the planning process to ensure projects meet community needs and gain local support.
Adaptive Design: Create spaces that can adapt to varying weather conditions, providing year-round functionality and appeal.
* Climate Adaptation and Livability: Demonstrate that climate adaptation measures can enhance the quality of life and add value to the surroundings.
Key Project Details: Avontureneiland and Groene Long
| Feature | Description |
| ———————– | ——————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Project Name | Avontureneiland (Adventure Island) & Groene Long (Green Lung) |
| Location | borne, Netherlands (wensink-Zuid district) |
| Objective | To address water overload issues and create a climate-resilient public space |
| Key Elements | Natural play areas, water features, ecological connections, “bat hotel” |
| Community Involvement | Engaged residents and schools in the planning process |
| Future Plans | Multi-year investment plan to make more neighborhoods climate-resilient, focusing on green infrastructure and energy transition |