Special economic block

Designer: Crimson (Wouter Vanstiphout) with Maxwan (Rients Dijkstra, Jason Hilgefort, Aleksandar Hrib)

Special Economic Block is a strategy to use Tarwewijk’s existing vacancy, the large portion of municipal owned real estate within it, and the speed of change in occupancy, to relocate residents within the neighbourhood and to free up housing blocks for a business zone with loosened regulations.

Special Economic Block re-zones the blocks for re-appropriation by new and existing businesses owners, with a strong business plan, investment strategy and plan to renovate. Businesses that might otherwise avoid or leave the area due to a lack of space, zoning regulations or over-thematized neighbourhood policies, can re-locate and re-appropriate the Special Economic Block—a space to invest in and create jobs in the heart of Rotterdam South.