Climate-proof parking at Vathorst railway station
Climate change entails a higher probability of extreme downpours. Among other things, this impacts urban water management. Will the current approach be adequate? How do you factor in extreme downpours? Car parks will also be faced with more severe rainfall, as a result of which car parks run the risk of flooding, which will render parking difficult or even impossible. This is why car parks need to be climate-proofed.
Sweco has designed an innovative, climate-proof car park near Vathorst railway station in Amersfoort. This car park is capable of rapid subsoil storage of severe rainfall. Water infiltration into the subsoil reduces the risk of serious drought. In addition, this technology combats salinisation in affected areas; this does not apply to Amersfoort. The lanes in the car park are constructed from water-passing baked bricks lined with drain joint needle felt. This technology keeps groundwater quality – by combating salinisation – and quantity up to par. Moreover, it obviates the need for sewerage, thus saving the costs of the construction and maintenance of a sewer system. The climate-proof car park fits in perfectly with a climate-proof city of the future.
Lessons to be learned from the project
- Correct instalment of the construction is essential to safeguard water storage. Consequently, supervision is important at the building stage. Furthermore, the area must be swept twice a year in order to prevent the joints from clogging.
- After nearly two years, the car park is still functioning excellently, as the severe downpours of 29 and 30 April 2018 recently showed.
The development of this climate-proof car park has been initiated by the municipality of Amersfoort and Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Vathorst, in close collaboration with Drainvast and Bylandt.
Contact person
Robert van Eerden
Sweco Nederland
Rob.vaneerden@sweco.nl
06-1299508