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Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 1)
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Green Public Spaces: Anneke Bokern (Thumbnail)
Anneke Bokern
Almere, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht

Anneke Bokern is an architecture journalist and writer based in Amsterdam. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, she studied History of Art and Architecture in Berlin. She moved to the Netherlands in 2000 and has been writing about architecture and urban development for German and international publications including Bauwelt, Baumeister, Topos and DETAIL ever since. She is also the author of several books on Dutch architecture.

Her passion for Dutch building culture led her to found architour in 2004 and co-found the Guiding Architects Network, making her one of the pioneers of professionally guided architecture tours in the Netherlands.

She develops programmes, curates tours, and leads groups in English, German, and Dutch, and continues to write and publish on Dutch architecture.

anneke-bokern.com

Green Public Spaces: Paul Vlok (Thumbnail)
Paul Vlok
Almere, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht

Paul is an experienced architect and lecturer. Born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, he graduated from TU Delft with an honours degree in Architecture in 1995.

In the years that followed, Paul worked for several Dutch architecture firms, contributing to projects in urban extensions and renewal areas. His work has consistently focused on housing and urban planning.

Since 2018, Paul has been a partner at architour. He develops and organises programmes and leads tours in English, Dutch and German. He also teaches at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.

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Tour in Rotterdam:
Green Public Spaces

Rotterdam is rethinking its public spaces, integrating more green into the urban fabric. Once dominated by post-war concrete and asphalt, the city center is undergoing a transformation, where streets and squares are being redesigned to accommodate both people and nature.

De-sealing paved surfaces is a crucial part of this strategy: public squares are being converted into green spaces. The municipality is taking this further with fauna-friendly initiatives, such as the ecological design of a new highline park and the creation of a fish ladder to restore aquatic connections in the city center.

This tour takes you through a diverse range of projects that are shaping Rotterdam’s future, from redesigned streets and greened squares to innovative water landscapes. As the city prepares for the challenges of a changing climate, these interventions are also transforming public spaces into healthier, more inviting places for residents and visitors alike.

  • Duration: 3 hours

  • Transport: walking

  • Services: experienced local architect as guide

  • Languages: Dutch, English, German or French

  • Group size: max. 25 participants per guide

  • Coolsingel (West 8, 2021): re-design of a main thoroughfare in the city centre

  • Fish ladder Leuvekolk (BOOM Landscape, 2023): fish passage between Rotte and Maas

  • Rif010: open-air surf basin in the city centre

  • Grotekerkplein (KCAP, 2020): green pocket park at the foot of the oldest church

  • Binnenrotte (OKRA, 2016): 800 m long metropolitan square

  • Floatlands Stokviswater: floating green islands in a canal

  • Hofbogenpark (De Urbanisten, 2026) — under construction: Rotterdam-style highline on a 1,9 km train viaduct

  • Watersquare Benthemplein: combination of public square and water retention facility

architour is led by Anneke Bokern and Paul Vlok. We currently have a team of 18 guides, based in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven.

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Guiding Architects
Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 7)
Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 8)
Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 9)
Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 10)
Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 11)
Guiding Architects, tour: Green Public Spaces (Fig. 12)
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