Rotterdam recently welcomed The Luchtsingel, a communal endeavor to spruce up the long-neglected Hofplein neighborhood in the heart of the city. Locally based architecture practice Zones Urbaines Sensibles (ZUS) devised The Luchtsingel in 2011. The focal point of the emerging "three-dimensional cityscape" is a nearly 400-meter wooden pedestrian bridge that was largely built from crowdsourced funds, accompanied by a network of refurbished public spaces.

"Based on the idea of Permanent Temporality, the Luchtsingel introduces a new way of [city-making]. This means using the city's evolutionary character and existing forms as a starting point. Therefore, we have developed new instruments for design, financing, and planning," said ZUS partner Elma van Boxel in a statement.

The project gained traction when ZUS set up the "I Make Rotterdam" crowdfunding campaign for the bridge. The campaign sold over 8,000 boards painted in a hard-to-ignore shade of yellow inscribed with the supporter's name. The Luchtsingel attracted even more attention after winning the first Rotterdam City Initiative competition in 2012, which awarded funds to the winning project for realization.

Situated in central Rotterdam, the bridge reconnects the formerly separated regions of Central Station, Rotterdam North, and the area between Rotterdam North and Binnenrotte. Construction of the bridge started in 2012, and the final phase ended in 2014.

The bridge also connects a series of commercial and communal spaces that will help drive up Hofplein's economic growth: The DakAkker urban rooftop garden, a nightlife spot called the Delftsehof, the kid-friendly Pompenburg Park, and the Hofplein Station Roof Park that is currently being refurbished into a green space that will house small-scale events. But ZUS isn't finished with Hofplein just yet. The firm is currently working on redesigning the vacant Hofpoort office tower over the next two years.

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