At the moment, Rotterdam only takes the water into consideration as part of a development or in response to a specific market initiative. There is no city-wide spatial policy in place for the use of the water. This is very much needed, because space on the water and along the quays is scarce and at the same time water is important for the liveability, health, development opportunities and ecology of the city.

It is therefore important that we consciously choose what kind of activity on the water we do or do not facilitate and what will be the right use in each location. The research focuses on weighing up the interests between residents and entrepreneurs, city and port, ecology and economy, dreams and regulations, etc. These considerations have been given shape in four theme maps: cargo and safety first, inviting harbors, neighborhood harbors and connected greenery.

The inner-city Nieuwe Maas is primarily a waterway but also, where possible, an important public space for the city. We see the Nieuwe Maas as the city's Central Park, where the use of the river as an essential lifeline for shipping, a well-functioning port, a stage for the modern metropolitan city, the experience of natural dynamics, and the grandeur of the river come together. Like any good park, the Nieuwe Maas is defined by a good and clear border. It is therefore important to have control over the type of use along the quays around the Nieuwe Maas. The decision whether a certain use fits in a harbor is based on a few basic principles called the Maasprinciples. These rules for the (future) use of the water ensure a clear and varied use. Some examples of Maasprinciples are: Each harbor its own color, Alternation of tranquility and bustle, All use is temporary, Mix of port, city, and river.

The Nieuwe Maas is an important transport route for sea and inland shipping; it is one of the busiest waterways in Europe. Ensuring the safe and efficient flow of shipping traffic is always the main priority on this main waterway. Additionally, the inner-city Nieuwe Maas continues to provide berths for inland and sea vessels. This is significant not only from an economic perspective but also to maintain the cultural and historical heritage of Rotterdam as a port city.

Currently, there is an increasing concentration of port activities, because inland shippers prefer to stay close to one another overnight. Sea shipping will also retain several berths in the city in the future. To improve air quality and accessibility in the inner city and to reduce CO2 emissions, a new form of port activity is being proposed: urban logistics over water. This involves establishing micro hubs in the city, which are small-scale logistics transfer points for last mile delivery, where cargo is transferred from ships to small electric vehicles and cargo bikes.

Rotterdam has many iconic attractions and destinations located near the water, such as the Euromast, Kop van Zuid, Fenix, and Erasmus University. There is a significant demand to improve access to these locations from the water, both from water transportation companies (water taxis and water buses) and from party cruises and hop-on-hop-off boat services. Additionally, there is a need for public spaces along the water where people can experience the tides and the dynamic nature of the river.

Our proposal is to address both needs by creating public docks in several harbors where residents can stay and ships can temporarily moor. These docks would be connected to the land-based public transport network, creating an extensive transportation network of land and water. Inviting docks can also contribute to the greening of the quayside by incorporating floating greenery on and in the water.

Along the Boompjeskade, the old city center of Rotterdam meets the river, which should be accompanied by more activity throughout the year. However, river cruises currently block a significant portion of the quay for much of the year. Land-based space for additional programming or parks is limited, but there is still room on the water, and there is a strong public desire to be closer to the river. In a zone of approximately 35 meters from the quay, space for water use is available while ensuring safe and efficient shipping operations. This could create a "balcony on the Maas" with space for passenger transport, public areas by the water, sports and recreation, hospitality, and (floating) greenery. The moorings for river cruises could be moved to the Maasboulevard.

In recent years, many residential buildings have been constructed on the quays of former port areas, such as Kop van Zuid, Mullerpier, Lloydpier, and soon in the Merwe Vierhavens. These new neighborhoods are primarily focused on housing and have few public facilities, and the water has not been considered as a public space in these developments. The 'neighborhood harbors' in these areas, such as Spoorweghaven, St. Jobshaven, and Lloydhaven, are particularly suited to becoming more meaningful public spaces within the neighborhood, with facilities and activities that match the character of the surrounding area(s).

This could take the form of floating facilities such as a theater boat, play boat, community center, studios/workspaces/galleries, or a swimming pool boat. Ideally, the dynamic and temporary nature of the water is maximized, and these vessels move from harbor to harbor throughout the season, allowing all parts of the city to benefit from the facilities while minimizing any potential nuisance.

The Nieuwe Maas presents opportunities for both small-scale and large-scale greenery in the heart of Rotterdam. Research shows that the areas where most Rotterdammers live per square kilometer—namely, the city center and surrounding neighborhoods—have the least greenery per square meter. Fortunately, the river is located nearby. The green-blue framework provided by the Nieuwe Maas offers significant opportunities to enhance the livability of Rotterdam.

In recent years, the quays around the Nieuwe Maas have become increasingly more green. The goal is to expand this into one large, cohesive green-blue network over the coming years, featuring green public quays at least 15 meters wide along the river, prioritizing pedestrians and wildlife.

Adding greenery along the river not only creates space for interaction, movement, and relaxation, but it also contributes to a climate-resilient city. Additionally, it reduces heat stress, especially in urban neighborhoods. In some areas, vegetation near or in the river can also enhance water safety by functioning as a foreland that strengthens primary flood defenses, such as at the new Nelson Mandela Park. By focusing on tidal parks and floating greenery in the inner harbor, awareness of the river's daily dynamics and the vulnerability of the floodplain increases.

The combination of the four sub-maps—safety first, inviting harbors, neighborhood harbors, and connected greenery—provides a comprehensive picture of the intended activities on the water.

Preserving What Works Well
In many locations along the inner-city Nieuwe Maas, current uses are appropriate and align with their surroundings. In these areas, existing uses can be maintained. Examples include moorings for inland shipping, sea shipping, cruise ships, and marinas in Veerhaven and IJsselmonde.

Building on Existing Changes
In some locations, further development can build upon already initiated changes, or only minor adjustments in use are necessary. This may involve more clustering or theming, or making uses more sustainable. Examples of such areas include the Maritime District and Rijnhaven.

New Direction for Water Use
In several locations, more significant changes in use are proposed. The reasons for this vary. Sometimes it relates to changing contexts on land, as seen in the area developments of Merwehavens and Feyenoord City. Other times, it stems from the transfer of quays from the Port Authority to the municipality of Rotterdam, providing an opportunity for new appropriate uses in the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Prins Hendrikkade and Feyenoordkade. Currently, there are untapped opportunities to make Rotterdam more economically resilient, sustainable, and attractive.

Space for Unexpected Developments
There is also space reserved for unexpected developments and temporary requests or initiatives that do not fit within the neighborhood ports or welcoming docks. Additionally, these quays designated for "temporary use" can serve as flexible space, for instance, in case maintenance work is needed and vessels must temporarily relocate.

No Use
Finally, there are a few locations where we intentionally do not wish to allow any use, where clear views of the water are important, and where open spaces are desirable for a good balance between tranquility and activity, such as the ends of piers, near parks, and the monument at Eva Cohen-Hertogkade.