Blauwe Golven (Blue Waves) by Veenenbos en Bosch Landschapsarchitecten

Built in 2025 / 2025 Built Landscapes / 2025 Entries / 2025 Public Projects / Netherlands /
veenenbosenbosch.nl

Blauwe Golven
For years, Blauwe Golven was at the center of a heated urban debate in the city of Arnhem. Should this environmental artwork remain? Is it part of Arnhem’s identity, is it a monument? Is so much paved surface still appropriate in this day and age? Both residents and the local authority were divided on the topic. Finally, in 2019, the city council made the decision to keep and restore it.

Landart
Blauwe Golven (“Blue Waves”) was designed by Peter Struycken in the late 1970s as a bold artistic response to offset the harsh infrastructure of the ramp and overpass to the new Nelson Mandela Bridge. It is the largest public landart artwork in Europe, characteristic of its era. The artwork originally allowed for parking, reflecting the atmosphere of the historic harbor, originally located on this site. In recent years, significant adjustments were made to the infrastructure, but the surrounding area and the artwork itself were neglected. Parking spaces were unclear to visitors and subsequently marked with orange paint on the artwork itself, the fountain was shut off due to cost concerns, and maintenance budgets were cut. This led to a decline in safety, appearance and a ultimately a dilapidated public space.

A New Character
The redesign involves targeted interventions of a varied character: artwork, borders, and location within the urban fabric. The plan restores the artwork Blauwe Golven to its former glory, emphasizing craftsmanship and attention to detail. The surrounding edges have shed superfluous pavement creating more space for greenery which in turn helps to counterbalance the amount of pavement in the artwork and remaining infrastructure. A newly designed lighting plan introduces a distinctive nocturnal atmosphere, enhancing the artwork after dark. This way, the iconic landmark of the city is restored and even enhanced.

Paving the Waves
The restoration and redesign of the artwork itself was carried out in close collaboration with the artist, repairing not only the artwork but also the previously strained relationship between him and the municipality. The unique paving pattern of the undulating square has been meticulously redesigned. Building on the original layout, the uniform blue and white bands have been transformed into a rhythmic sequence of alternating wide blue and narrow white stripes. This new arrangement not only enhances the visual dynamics of the space but also addresses current parking requirements. The white stripes match the width of a single parking space, while the blue ones are double that width and are additionally marked to accommodate two vehicles. By incorporating more blue into the pattern, the redesigned surface brings renewed vibrancy to the artwork. After extensive testing, specially developed concrete pavers—based on the original stones and engineered to retain their vivid blue color—have been produced and implemented.

Oude Kraan, Roermondsplein, Green Mound
The edges surrounding the artwork have been cleared of unnecessary pavement, enhancing the sense of openness. Greenery, water features, trees, and pedestrian zones now dominate the area, seamlessly connecting with existing urban green spaces. To the north, the Oude Kraan has been transformed into a spacious promenade—dubbed a “creative corridor”—which links the city center, the ArtEZ Academy of the Arts, and Museum Arnhem. A wide wadi runs alongside the promenade, capturing rainwater from the neighboring area. On the east side, the urban ring around the city center, defined by raised, curving planting beds and a lush, green atmosphere, extends towards the Rhine River, culminating in a new river balcony. Lastly, the southwestern corner serves as a connector to the future Museum Park, which will be situated at the base of the glacial ridge along the Rhine’s banks. A previously enclosed and walled green mound is being reimagined as a spacious, gently sloping grassy hill. This transformation also addresses previous social safety concerns that had plagued the area. A playful folly, or small ornamental structure, placed on the slope contrasts with the heavy flyover, offering views of both the Rhine and Blauwe Golven.

A Radiant City Icon
Blauwe Golven is strategically situated at the edge of the city center, serving as both a gateway to the shopping district and a key part of the city’s ring road, which is heavily trafficked by vehicles. In this context, Blauwe Golven stands as a recognizable urban landmark. The redesign enhances its significance for the city of Arnhem. The large fountain, originally designed as a festive feature, has been upgraded with new, energy-efficient pumps and nozzles, and is now operating ever better than it once did. A newly created pedestrian crossing over Onderlangs provides a route for a circular walk around the artwork, linking the city center to the riverbank. Additionally, a refreshed lighting plan ensures that Blauwe Golven is just as vibrant and celebratory at night as it is during the day.

• Other credits:
Peter Struycken: the artist, Atelier LEK: lighting design, Roelofs: contractor