Client: Aruba Port Authority
Port of Amsterdam International
Program: Urban design

Status: designed in 2018

Aruba

2018

Together with Aruba Port Authority (APA) and Port of Amsterdam International (PoAI) OZ Caribbean collaborates within a multi-year plan in transforming the urban development of the harbor front Port City into a sustainable mixed-use area. The program includes residences, offices, retail facilities and great space for a public park. Transformation and re-designing for urban development in the Caribbean requires a pioneering, flexible and innovative approach; it is about finding a balance between planning and improvisation resulting in a renewed concept ‘informal grid’.

Informal grid

The new Port City, located in the southwest part of the capital Oranjestad, is a merge of three locations. It is connecting the former Containers Harbor area with Paardenbaai and Bushiri Beach combining approximately 180.000 m2 for new urban programming. The informal grid concept simulates an organic growth, including flexibility and diversity, connecting the harbor front to Oranjestad as well as welcoming (cruise) tourist to Aruba. Port City’s informal grid is a cohesion of the existing qualities of Oranjestad.

Sustainability

The sustainability ambitions are high in the field of energy consumption, energy generation and water usage. Besides the spatial design elements of transition between building heights and the integration of greenery as key components, the wind is of significance importance. The wind is guided toward the sea creating a natural airflow through the spatial grid. The LEED certification contributes to a durable approach, preserving environmental conditions.

Our urban design for Port City Oranjestad includes; a flexible approach, adds to the diversity, connects people and supports high quality of public space. The harbor front will belong to the inhabitants of Aruba again, being a lively mixed-used waterfront where public space supports the inclusive architecture.

The Aruba Ports Authority (APA) recently announced that they will start with tenders for the area in 2023.

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