Singelpark Zwolle Vision

The Singel of Zwolle is set for a major transformation. Last month, the municipal executive approved the development vision for the Singelpark, created by Felixx and the municipality of Zwolle in collaboration with Sweco, Infram and other advisers. The vision presents the Singel as the “star of the city”: a cohesive green–blue urban landscape linking Zwolle’s heritage to its future ambitions.   THE STAR OF THE CITY The Singel is one of the most distinctive structures in Zwolle. As a green, star-shaped boundary around the historic city centre, it forms the transition between the inner city and surrounding neighbourhoods, and between the urban area and the landscape.   A view of the city of Zwolle ©Caspar Merian   For decades, the area has fulfilled multiple roles at once: garden, recreational zone, traffic corridor and climate system. The new vision builds on this versatility and transforms the Singel into a coherent city park accessible to everyone. Along a four-kilometre route, park spaces, cultural sites, water and urban dynamics follow one another in an uninterrupted sequence. In this way, the Singel shifts from being a physical edge to becoming the green backbone of a future-proof Zwolle: a place offering cooling during hot days, absorbing water during heavy rainfall, and inviting people to walk, cycle, meet and linger.   THE SINGEL AS PALIMPSEST – FROM DEFENCE TO CONNECTION Nowhere is the city’s history more visible than along the Singel. Over centuries, ramparts, bastions, canals and later park-like landscapes shaped Zwolle’s profile. This layered history is viewed as a palimpsest in the vision: new additions sit alongside existing elements without erasing earlier traces. The approach gives historic lines and structures space while carefully adding new green and urban qualities. The Singel will evolve from a former defensive line into a connector of city, neighbourhood, culture and nature, becoming the green backbone of a climate-resilient Zwolle—providing cooling during hot weather, capturing water during heavy rainfall, and inviting people to walk, cycle, meet and linger.   Palimpsest, Singelpark Zwolle vision ©Felixx   A MOSAIC OF URBAN NATURE LANDSCAPES Zwolle is developing, and the Singel develops along with it. The city is growing in population and ambition, while challenges relating to climate, mobility and biodiversity are becoming increasingly urgent. The vision harnesses the strength of the Singel to unite these tasks within one robust framework. The Singel is elaborated as a mosaic of characteristic urban landscapes, each with its own atmosphere and programme: from historic parks and monumental singels to new nature zones and urban wetlands, and from lively squares and cultural venues that showcase the city’s creativity to tranquil green banks and sheltered spots to relax. Through Nature-based Solutions, such as nature-friendly riverbanks, climate-resilient planting and green water buffers, the Singel becomes a key component of a water-resilient delta city. The landscape enhances biodiversity, reduces heat stress and increases the flexibility of the water system. At the same time, it creates an inclusive public space where culture, entrepreneurship, sport and social interaction naturally come together. In this way, the Singel not only addresses today’s challenges, but also provides a place where future urban growth, including new housing, can go hand in hand with a pleasant and healthy living environment.   Vision and current situation of Burgemeester van Roijensingel Zwolle ©Felixx and the Municipality of Zwolle   A DRIVER OF SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT The vision is a key instrument for realising the ambitions of the development programme Ons Stadshart van Morgen. These ambitions—human scale, a healthy green delta city, strong cultural and economic foundations, good accessibility and sustainable urban development—are translated into three frameworks: Landscape: ecology, water, soil and climate resilience. Networks: pedestrian and cycling connections, energy integration and infrastructure. Functions: art, culture, economy, sport and play.   Maps of landscape continuity, pedestrian network and programming, vision Singelpark Zwolle © Felixx   MOVNG INTO ACTION – ONE INTEGRATED VISION, SHAPED THROUGH SUB-PROJECTS The Singelpark will be realised step by step through sub-projects. The Rondje Singel, a continuous walking and cycling route on both sides of the water, forms the main backbone. Bridges, new paths and greener banks will improve links between the city centre, neighbourhoods and mobility hubs. Finally, a roadmap has been developed to guide timing and dependencies, while residents, entrepreneurs, cultural institutions and social organisations remain closely involved.   Structure plan, Singelpark Zwolle vision ©Felixx   In this video Sabine from the Municipality of Zwolle provides a brief overview of the vision: