New Opportunities for the Oude IJssel

With New Opportunities for the Oude IJssel, Smartland is giving the Oude IJssel region a boost that strengthens regional quality, economic vitality, and experience. We focussed primarily on developing tools to foster a renewed appreciation for the landscape, as a path toward broadly supported integration of the current challenges facing the region.

The first tool is a set of innovative maps that visualize existing qualities and outline new opportunities – "New Maps for the Oude IJssel." The cartography places a greater emphasis than usual on geomorphology – the origin and shape of the river and its surroundings.

This forms the basis for the second tool: rest areas and information elements along a recreational network through six sub-regions. The essence of each sub-region has been translated into a distinctive design and application of materials. This creates a logical and recognizable system that invites residents, businesses, and visitors to experience and understand the area.

Besides physical connections, we also bring people together. Through "Expeditions Oude IJssel" and Area Dinners, combined with walks through the landscape, we presented the design and discussed current challenges, such as water retention, carbon sequestration in forests, clean energy production, biodiversity restoration, and regenerative agriculture. These meetings formed the starting point for a shared regional vision and led to collaboration, synergy, and concrete implementation plans.

In the Open Call "Beautiful Production Landscapes" from the Creative Industries Fund NL, we provided a concrete follow-up to this project.

Location: Oude IJssel region, NL

Type: Landscape design, regional vision

Client: O-Team Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations

Participation: Inhabitants, businesses

Team: Smartland, Studio Nico Wissing