Loven is an industrial area in the eastern part of Tilburg. It is an easily accessible area that is situated next to the Wilhelmina canal, near the city center and close to the A65. Overall the area is easily accessible from the rest of the city. But how is the accessibility in the neighbourhood itself?

When you walk through the neighbourhood there are several things that catch your attention;

- it’s a industrial area with big boxed volumes with little interaction to the street

- There are residences in the core of the neighbourhood in the form of an old lint

- The blocks have small mysterious alleys

- A clash can be seen in volume size

- There is little to no common public space

This all together results in a neighbourhood that has several barriers. But how can we soften or make use of these barriers?

In my strategy the small alleys are the starting point. They are the existing resources in the neighbourhood that can be catalysts to start a bigger development. The alleys are the crossover spaces that connect the existing functions and spatial characteristics together. Socially and spatially.

The crossover spaces in the different blocks can be connected to each other and enhance the permeability in the neighbourhood.

The spaces are reforming the blocks from the inside out and form connections on the bigger scale. From the canal on the west to the green on the north and through that, braiding the blocks together through a cohesive route with different characteristics. From residential characteristics to industrial characteristics.

This difference in characteristics within the block form a gradient together that softens the border between residential and industry and adds a new scale, space and function. The new scale is a size that can be seen as a sound buffer from the more heavy industry but also provides spaces for a new kind of activity. Maker spaces for example or neighbourhood facilities.

Within this plan there are four main principles:

-    Redefining the block

-    Creating a permeable neighbourhood

-    Softening the borders

-    Creating gradients

The interventions provide places to relax, flee from the busy industry but also vice versa where you can  go from a quiet place to a more lively place.

The crossover places are the starting point for redefining the blocks in the neighbourhood and with this diffusing the borders between industry and residential and worker and resident.