Kanaleneiland: when I was a student, it felt like a trip around the world. From the centre, past the tippelzone (the official street-prostitution zone), to Kanaleneiland. A fine little bike ride in summer, but in winter we went by car. Sometimes I'm a little ashamed of how narrow-minded I was back then. I'd grown up in a small village, lovely and sheltered. When I was looking for a room, my mother and my aunt both said straight away: not in Kanaleneiland, mind… I won't sleep well…
Contents
- A great neighbourhood on the up
- History
- Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal park zone
- Along the Merwedekanaal
- Places to eat and drink
- Sustainable homes
- Would you like to live here?
A great neighbourhood on the up
These days you zip from the Mariaplaats across the Moreelsebrug, a bridge also known as the Rabobrug. So within a few minutes you're in Utrecht's city centre. With the arrival of the Merwedekanaalzone, the neighbourhood will get even better. Approx. 10,000 new homes are being developed in the coming years. The neighbourhood has many relatively more expensive homes. But there's also room for rental homes. And that street over by the Praxis with the tippelzone? Well, it's being completely redesigned. There will be a good public transport connection by light rail tram to Utrecht's city centre and the surrounding villages. When Kanaleneiland was built, there was a clear separation between living, working, traffic and recreation. Thanks to the improved connection, it stays that way in the city. Easy to reach, but no busy streets running between the homes. The neighbourhood was built at the time of the housing shortage. I can hear you thinking… A housing shortage: that's the case again now. So this neighbourhood is being expanded considerably with the arrival of the Merwedekanaalzone.
History
Kanaleneiland was built from 1957 onwards. It was built according to the principle of light, air and space that was developed in those years. A separation between living, working and leisure. The factory strip lay along the Merwedekanaal, and under the heading of leisure a large city park was laid out. At the time, Park Transwijk was the largest city park in Utrecht. The Maximapark only came much later. People were proud of the neighbourhood. They looked on with admiration at the building according to the new urban planning principles. Kanaleneiland was also known as Rozeneiland (Rose Island). There were beautiful public rose gardens everywhere. How great would it be if a bit of that came back? So how did Kanaleneiland get its name? Kanaleneiland ('Canal Island') is enclosed by three canals. The Leidsche Rijn, the Merwedekanaal and the Amsterdamsch Rijnkanaal.
Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal park zone
Along the banks of the Merwedekanaal and the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, a new recreational park route is taking shape. The route runs along the canals around the neighbourhoods of Oog in Al, Transwijk and Kanaleneiland. We call this the 'rondje stadseiland' (the city-island loop). Policy is aimed at developing the city-island loop further into an attractive route with a park-like quality, with entrances from the various residential neighbourhoods. The municipality considers it important to connect the walking and cycling route well with existing and future bridges. And to create good cross-connections through the city island, so that smaller loops are created too. The municipality wants to make it easier and more pleasant to cycle and walk along the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal to the surrounding municipalities.
This is what the environmental vision says: “The distant views, the large scale of the water and the green character give a feeling of space and of being outdoors. The banks are used extensively for cycling, walking, jogging and inline skating. Or you can enjoy the spectacular view of the ships. In a number of special places you can unwind and there is attention for ecology; in other places you'll find encounters with others. The banks have a mainly green and recreational character, so that they offer coolness and relaxation on hot days. The canal connects the districts on the east and west sides. The buildings, part of Utrecht's cultural heritage, house (urban) functions that make it attractive to visit the ARK park.”
Photo
Along the Merwedekanaal
I often cycle back from my appointments along the Merwedekanaal. There's a lot of building going on here now, but cycling along it feels a bit like being on holiday. Rowers, little children with small sailing boats, people enjoying the sunshine on a houseboat. When the weather's really nice, swimmers. You can tell from everything that this is no longer the neighbourhood you have to drive to…
Photo taken by a client
Places to eat and drink
Eating out is one of my few hobbies; there's nothing we'd rather do than discover the nicest little restaurants and bars. Gé used to work at the Rabobank and liked to go for lunch at Op Roose. Restaurant De Klub is a real winner too, and just around the corner you'll find the De Kromme Haring brewery. Just over the bridge you're soon at Buiten aan de Sluis; in the other direction you're soon by the water at Op Zuid, and do you know Landhuis in de stad yet? Also only a few minutes by bike. In Park Transwijk you'll find restaurant Zinnia. The new neighbourhood will also get some extra nice places. Within a few minutes you're in town, and then you really have an incredible number of options. And guys, you're just around the corner from the furniture retail park, which means Swedish meatballs, hot dogs and cheap breakfasts.
Sustainable homes
For a long time there were run-down homes. Do you know the bit by the Bernadottenlaan? Old homes here have been transformed into super-sustainable homes. Using timber-frame construction, a new facade has been placed against the existing facade, along with new roofs and installations, and the homes meet the zero-on-the-meter (net-zero energy) standard. The more expensive homes are creating a better balance in the make-up of the population.
Would you like to live here?
There's a very special house coming up… Want more info? Then email info@gustocasa.nl
