Case Studies 

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee 

Waterplein Benthemplein

Rotterdam

Netherlands

Contributed by 
Project for Public Spaces
 on 
April 22, 2019
May 1, 2024

What makes it Great?

Why it doesn't work?

Rotterdam is a city overflowing, both with stormwater and with climate adaptation strategies. Rotterdam is in seemingly constant need of stormwater storage, reflected in the city’s climate resilience strategy. The Waterplein Benthemplein, part of Rotterdam’s first “climate-proof” district, is a floodable water square that kickstarted climate-smart urban design in the rest of the ZoHo neighborhood (short for Zomerhofkwartier). In combination with new initiatives to decrease hard, paved surfaces, green building façades, and collect rainwater on rooftops and in gardens, Rotterdam is making itself into a “sponge.”Together, amphitheater-style seating and open play spaces allow the square to fill up with water through a system of stainless steel gutters, which is then conveyed to the city’s open water system.

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Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein
Waterplein Benthemplein

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

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