's-Hertogenbosch is a riverside municipality characterised by impressive fortification walls and historic water defence features (bulwarks) that date back to the 16th century. Due to the disrepair of the bulwarks and the effects of climate change, at the end of the 20th century the inner part of the city was threatened by rising waters. The lack of public funding to sustain the urgent restoration work put pressure on the municipality to find a sustainable solution.
The municipality turned to an overall redevelopment plan for the former St. John’s bulwark, deciding to restore the former water defence feature instead of building a new system. The plan includes the creation of a new heritage and visitors centre with amenities and cultural activities. The municipality leases the management of the space to an association of heritage volunteers, ensuring not only economic sustainability and employment opportunities but also revenue streams that can be invested in other heritage and educational projects.
The municipality set up a Fortifications Development Team in charge of the supervision of the restoration works (started in 2013), in close cooperation with local landscape architects. The municipality carefully selected the team’s composition to combine historical, archaeological, technical and ecological expertise necessary to carry out the complex restoration work.
The team supervised the design and execution of the restoration works, combining traditional techniques with modern design and materials, inspired by traditional Dutch fortress design. Innovative engineering methods keeping the rising water (to 2.5 meters high) out of the bulwark, while maintaining public space. In parallel, the municipality developed the Bulwark Heritage Centre’s exploitation strategy to ensure the financial sustainability of the site once the works are completed.
Since 2019, the former city gate has been a departure point for visitors and a public place for the residents to relax and meet each other. It includes a restaurant, a ticket office for guided boat tours and historic city walks, a visitor centre and an archaeological experience that showcases the archaeological artefacts through 3D modelling and virtual reality techniques.
s-Hertogenbosch municipality, owner of the bulwark, led development and implementation. The Fortifications Development Team was in charge of the restoration in synergy with the bigger plan ‘Fortified Den Bosch’ approved by the town council. A municipal project manager handles day to day management. The municipality collaborated closely with stakeholders, including the North-Brabant province and local entrepreneurs who co-funded the project. The Circle of Friends of Den Bosch is a volunteer heritage association crucial to the sustainability of the Bulwark Heritage Centre. The Circle rents the space from the municipality and engages more than 60 volunteers for heritage tours and educational programmes.
The project managed the reintegration of historical heritage into both urban fabric and society, the reactivation of neglected historical structures of fortifications for local development, while also increased the sense of belonging of citizens. The spatial quality of the living environment improved and created a climate resilient aquatic environment preserving cultural heritage. Lastly, it created a social hub of the region and a gateway to the town for both inhabitants and visitors.
Find more about the project here
