EUKN - Netherlands - Fortifications - 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands

Fortifications - 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands

Introduction

The fortified town of 's-Hertogenbosch is characterised by an historic centre where some of the old fortifications are still visible. Some years ago, there was a need for large-scale maintenance. In the process, the idea arose of employing the fortified walls as a living part of the historical town centre.

Problem

Culture history and revitalising urban development go hand in hand with the Fortifications in 's-Hertogenbosch. How necessary is it to combine repair and maintenance of the historical fortified town with urban development, tourism, nature conservation and spatial planning?

Description

Based on this development plan, Versterkt Den Bosch (Fortified Den Bosch), the restoration and development work will be done in a thematic and phased manner. The fortifications will be combined and integrated with new urban development projects, such as a car park, town housing, a park, the redevelopment of the Stadsdommel. The work will take approx. 15 years and the total cost of 'Versterkt Den Bosch’ is estimated at approx. 40,840,000 euros.

Approach

The development plan has come about as a result of the cooperation between many parties, including: Rijksdienst voor de Monumentenzorg (Department for the Conservation of Historical Buildings and Sites), the Maaskant Water Board, the Dommel Water Board, Stichting Binnendieze (Old Canal Association), Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, Bewonersvereniging Leefbare Binnenstad (Residents’ Association for a Livable Inner City), VVV (Tourist Office), Ondernemersvereniging Hartje (City Centre Entrepreneurs’ Association).

The Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch has entrusted the implementation of the Ontwikkelingsplan (Development Plan) to the Stuurgroep Vestingwerken (Fortifications Steering Committee). In addition to this, the private organisation "Stichting 's-Hertogenbosch Vestingwerken" ('s-Hertogenbosch Fortifications Association) has been founded. This was done on the one hand to promote the name of the Den Bosch Fortifications, while on the other hand to generate money for companies and private individuals. It concerns a sum of 4,545,454 euros.

Results

The fortifications will be made visible and 'experienceable' for residents, visitors and tourists.
Three projects have already been been carried out: De Groote Hekel (1999), Stadsbalkon (2001) and the Kruisbroedershekel (2002).
For the project, a number of European fortified towns will be contacted for the sake of exchanging knowledge.
The Walled Town Friendship Circle - an international organisation of fortified towns – has proclaimed 's-Hertogenbosch the Fortified Town of Europe 2005 owing to the innovative character of how the fortress has been handled.
The restructuring of a number of GSB districts is also integrated into the Fortifications as a number of districts border on the fortifications.

Contact info

City of 's-Hertogenbosch
Huib Crijns, tel. +31 73 6159811

Contact info

City of 's-Hertogenbosch
Jules Goris, tel. +31 73 6155669

Project start date

14/07/1999

Planned end date

31/12/2015

Links

City of 's-Hertogenbosch 's-Hertogenbosch Fortifications

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Keywords

Cultural heritage