In the center of Breda, the finishing touches are being made to the first stretch of ‘city river’ Nieuwe Mark. This river once ran as a canal along the city gates of the Baroniestad, but it was partly filled in in the 1960s. If all goes well, the connection between the port and the river Mark will be a fact in 2026. With sailing routes along vegetated quays, cycling and walking paths, new catering establishments, homes and terraces. “It is inevitable that this will make Breda even more beautiful,” says a proud alderman Daan Quaars.
Actually, the first part, between the entrance of the Baronesgarage to the Waterstraat, should have been finished before the construction holiday, but that will now be September. “Put your agenda in advance: on September 15, we will open the tap here to fill this huge container with water again,” Quaars beams.
The delay is due to the fact that completing the quays takes more time than anticipated. They are poured into custom concrete, after which they disappear behind masonry walls made of special bricks and mortar.
“There will even be trees growing out of the quay walls.”
Project leader Paul Wijnen: “Everything is built up by hand. Both the bricks and the joint mortar have been selected in such a way that plants can attach and grow. Behind the walls there is also a special substrate that absorbs water, so that the quay walls are moist even in summer. are for the plants.”
The whole connection between the reopened in 2007 port and the Mark south of the city cost the municipality of Breda many tens of millions, but according to the alderman it is more than worth it. “When the underground parking garage was demolished and became a port again, you saw that everyone was enthusiastic about it. That you could sit on a terrace with a beer by the water. Or walk or cycle. That whole area is flourishing again. And that’s what we want we here too and that is why we invest in our city,” explains Daan Quaars.
Breda even got European subsidy to develop new nature in this project. “Trees will even grow out of the quay walls. That is all experimental, but it indicates how we want to prepare the city for climate change and heat,” said the alderman.
“This investment will last for years, maybe centuries.”
And that climate change is also increasingly causing flooding due to extreme rainfall. Quaars: “We will soon be able to collect and discharge more water through the Nieuw Mark. And we also have plans for ‘t Zoet. “
In addition to reconnecting the port with the Mark, the municipality of Breda will also own the Seelig site. This part of the former barracks is being developed into a large city park, with catering facilities along the Nieuwe Mark. The total costs for Breda may exceed 100 million euros in the coming years, although the city council has yet to make a decision about this third phase.
“The municipality of Breda can afford that,” says the alderman firmly. “This investment will last for years, perhaps centuries. People enjoy it and it makes the city more attractive. And you get that back in all sorts of ways. Through tourism and through a pleasant stay.”
And Quaars was able to think about this for a long time: “I once started this project as an intern and as alderman I can close this part of the project. It couldn’t be better.” On or around September 15, he may turn on the water tap to fill this part of the Nieuwe Mark. After that, Quaars will step down as alderman and start working as director of the Logistics Community Brabant (LCB).
For example, Breda presented the plans for the Nieuwe Mark.
Waiting for privacy settings…
READ ALSO:
Construction of ‘city river’ Nieuwe Mark through the center of Breda will start before the summer