On Wednesday, September 9, Alderman Isabelle Broeders (Public Space) officially opened the renovated Houtzagerssingel. After three years of work, the quay wall and the street have been renewed. With the completion of the project, the Houtzagerssingel is ready for the future.
The works were part of the Multi-Year Structures Programme , through which the municipality is making bridges and quay walls in the city future-proof. The old quay wall has been replaced and can last another 100 years.
‘This new quay wall is more than just stone. It is an investment in the future of the neighborhood. With more greenery, pleasant places to linger, and space for socializing, we are making Houtzagerssingel more attractive and livable. It is wonderful to see that residents themselves are also making a difference. The small front gardens show how much pride and involvement there is in this street,’ says Alderman Broeders.
In addition to the renewal of the quay wall, the public space has also been redesigned. The Houtzagerssingel has been re-paving and more space has been created for greenery. New trees have been planted and new planting beds have been laid out along the quay. The final trees will be planted and the permanent planting beds laid out this autumn. Benches have also been placed along the water so that residents and visitors can enjoy the surroundings even better. A new boarding and disembarking point for tour boats has been created near Paulus Potterstraat.
The works demonstrate that renewal and preservation can go hand in hand. Therefore, a trial was also conducted to preserve ferns from the old quay wall. The plants were removed from the old quay, stone and all, and replanted in the new wall. One of the ferns successfully survived the relocation.
Golden Watering Can
During the opening ceremony, Alderman Broeders presented the Golden Watering Can to the resident with the most beautiful facade garden. In the project, existing facade gardens were improved and new ones were created. Residents themselves organized the competition for the most beautiful facade garden. The opening marked an important milestone for Houtzagerssingel and the neighborhood. The prize went to Rosa van Driel from Paulus Potterstraat.
” I am very happy with how the Houtzagerssingel has turned out. We already had beautiful trees, but it is nice that new trees and extra greenery are replacing them. We already had a small front garden, but thanks to this project, many neighbors have now created a front garden as well. As a result, the street has become much greener and more inviting ,” says Ms. Van Driel.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag
Photos: Jurriaan Brobbel