The Paleisbrug Benthem
Crouwel Architects
The Paleisbrug is a raised park and
an area of natural beauty this close to a
The weather- proof steel, which corrodes
pedestrian and cycle bridge in one.
city centre. Because of the length of the
about 0.5 mm per 100 years, is 1 mm
The bridge forms a 250 metre-ling link
bridge and the spectacular views across
thicker in all places than would initially be
across the railway track between the
the Gement, a recreational area was
required: after all, steel corrodes on two
historic centre of’s-Hertogenbosch and
created on the bridge.
sides. As such, the bridge has a lifespan
Paleiskwartier. Paleiskwartier is a newly
developed district that houses the court
building, various universities of applied
sciences, homes and offices. The new
bridge has also been fitted with a large
solar collector, which will supply the
surrounding area with energy.
The park on the bridge is in line with the
views, but also with greenery along the
Dommel River and the recreational area
around the Hofvijver in Paleiskwartier. By
turning the bridge into a park-like area,
more than 2,500 m2 of park has been
added to the centre of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
During the Eighty Year War,
Weather-proof steel Plants, trees,
‘s-Hertogenbosch was defended by
paving, furniture and lighting have been
having the surrounding landscape flooded
integrated in folded sheets of weather-
(inundated). A lot of land is still not
proof steel. The rusty colour of this steel is
developed, which means ‘s-Hertogenbosch
characteristic for the Paleisbrug. Weather-
still borders onto an open green area,
proof steel is a steel alloy with a dense
the Gement. The Gement is unique from
corrosion layer, bringing the corrosion
both a historical and scenic point of view.
process to a virtual standstill. This means
Nowhere in the Netherlands will you find
the metal can be left exposed.
38 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 17
of at least 100 years. Furthermore, the
robust appearance of the steel fits in
well with the atmosphere created by the
city’s fortifications. Plants and shrubs
The positions of the flower beds and tree
containers on the bridge were determined
in collaboration with Piet Oudolf, who
prepared the planting scheme for the
Paleisbrug. The plants and shrubs on the
bridge are divided into three zones, each
with their own character. On the side of
the city centre, the bridge will have low,
savannah-like plants and individual trees.
Where the bridge crosses the railway track,
there will only be low plants, in line with
the extensive views.