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Essay · 2025

The Quay as Public Room

A quay is the one place a harbour city shares. What happens when it is designed like a room?

Fig. 1 · The Quay as Public Room
Fig. 1 · The Quay as Public Room
Authors
Jorien Aalbers
Published
2025
Licence
CC BY 4.0

Quays are usually drawn as edges. We think of them as rooms: with a floor, a ceiling of trees or arcades, and walls made by the buildings behind. This essay follows five Rotterdam quays through a full day.

Fig. 2 · A quay planted as a tidal park, Rijnhaven
Fig. 2 · A quay planted as a tidal park, Rijnhaven
Fig. 3 · Sections through five Rotterdam quays
Fig. 3 · Sections through five Rotterdam quays
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