In Arnhem city centre, around the City Theatre, temperatures can rise to dangerous levels during hot summers. This poses a risk to health, quality of life and water availability. With the planned renovation of the City Theatre, the municipality of Arnhem has the opportunity not only to modernise the building, but also to transform the immediate surroundings into an urban oasis. This is where culture, ecology and climate adaptation come together, creating a pleasant place for people, plants and animals.

The heart of the ‘Stadsoase’ (Urban Oasis) lies near Koningsplein and the area around the Waalse Kerk. This part will become a green, cool place with water, an oasis in the middle of the busy city centre. Creating a network of cool places throughout the city will make it more pleasant to move around on hot days, while visitors and residents can enjoy a pleasant place to stay. The current situation is largely paved, with car parks, utilities and a few large trees that mainly cool cars rather than people. The Urban Oasis offers a change: a combination of layered greenery and water provides cooling, invites people to meet and enhances biodiversity. At the same time, the green design offers space for cultural activities and institutions such as Oostpool and Introdans, allowing culture and nature to reinforce each other.

An interesting aspect of the project is the integration of historical knowledge and modern climate strategies. Centuries ago, this site was home to an enclosed monastery garden that retained cool temperatures. Together with Wageningen University & Research, the “pooling the cool” strategy is now being applied, whereby cool temperatures are retained through the strategic placement of buildings and the smart design of space and vegetation. Some trees that had to be removed for the renovation of the city theatre have been replanted and supplemented with new trees, shrubs and plants, ensuring that the greenery remains sustainable and continuous. Rainwater from the theatre roof is used to water the plants during dry periods and collected during wet periods, creating a climate-adaptive and self-sufficient system.