Het Liesveldpark

The Liesveld Viaduct in Vlaardingen is undergoing a radical transformation. What was once a concrete traffic artery is being turned into a green, vibrant urban park: the Liesveldpark. This Mothership initiative connects past and future through one powerful element — water. Not only as a natural phenomenon, but as a carrier of identity, history, and the city’s vision for the future.

Vlaardingen has a deep-rooted relationship with water — from prehistoric creeks and delta works to a thriving herring fleet. This connection forms the heart of the park’s design. Atop the viaduct, a winding creek will flow, surrounded by greenery and seating areas — a tangible ode to Vlaardingen’s culture and the region’s centuries-old tradition of water management. The park will become a place of tranquility, encounter, and experience, where history quite literally flows through the landscape.

The design takes inspiration from iconic projects such as the High Line in New York but embraces a distinctly Vlaardingen identity. Contributions from landscape designers like Piet Oudolf and Nico Wissing ensure a future-proof, climate-adaptive design rich in biodiversity. The park provides cooling during hot summers and brings color and vitality to the city’s urban core.

In addition to the viaduct itself, the spaces beneath and the adjoining squares are integrated into the design. Markets, gatherings, and events will find a new home in the heart of the city. A temporary pop-up park serves as a preview, allowing residents to experience what the future will look like.

With the Liesveldpark, Vlaardingen gains not only a unique public space but also a powerful narrative. Water — as a source of life and a symbol of the city — transforms the park into a place where identity, climate, and community converge. The viaduct will no longer be a structure slated for demolition, but a green carrier of meaning: the Water Bearer of Vlaardingen.