Getijdenpark Keilehaven
Tidal Park, the Heart of Nature in the Keile District
Getijdenpark Keilehaven is a unique combination of an urban park and a natural estuary system designed by landscape architects De Urbanisten. Situated in the Keile District, the cultural heart of Rotterdam’s M4H area, it seamlessly integrates into a hub of art, technology, and creative industries. Visitors can explore nearby cultural spaces such as the Katoenhuis Immersive Experience Hub, the art incubator Kunst & Complex, the artist-run playground Brutus, and the design-focused Keilepand. The Voedseltuin (Food Garden), located opposite the tidal park, offers an additional green escape within the district.
Getijdenpark has been transformed from a rocky industrial area into a vibrant tidal park in 2024. Due to its open connection to the sea, the water level rises and falls by approximately one and a half meters twice a day. This dynamic environment fosters biodiversity and reconnects people with nature in the heart of Rotterdam’s Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H) district.
Credit: Boudewijn Bollmann
Credit: Iris van den Broek
A Landscape Shaped by Tides
The tidal park features nine terraces that increase in scale from the head of Keilehaven toward its mouth. These terraces, positioned at different heights, create diverse microhabitats, some of which are submerged at high tide while others remain dry. This variation supports a rich ecosystem of plants, fish, and birds adapted to brackish water conditions. Spoonbills, common terns, eels, and three-spined sticklebacks are among the species that have found a new home in the park. To further restore the river’s original habitat, two storm-felled trees have been placed underwater, providing shelter for aquatic life.
Visitors can engage with the water directly via a staircase at the head of Keilehaven, offering a unique opportunity to observe the interplay between urban space and natural tidal rhythms.
Ecological Restoration and Material Reuse
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The tidal park not only enhances biodiversity but also exemplifies Rotterdam’s commitment to circular urban development. Many of the materials used in its construction were repurposed from other city projects. Natural stone quay stones were sourced from Noordereiland, 10,000 tons of surplus sand from the Museumpark helped fill the harbor, and thousands of discarded concrete paving stones from Agniessebuurt were repurposed to reinforce the gabions. This approach minimizes waste and reinforces the city’s sustainability goals.
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Innovative Waste Management: The CirCleaner
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To combat plastic pollution, the park is home to the CirCleaner, an innovative waste-catching system developed by Noria, a Delft-based scale-up. This solar-powered device captures plastic and other debris from surface waters, preventing it from breaking down into microplastics and entering the ocean. The system adjusts its collection times based on tidal movements, ensuring maximum efficiency with minimal energy use.
The CirCleaner is part of Rotterdam’s broader initiative to create cleaner waterways and reduce urban plastic pollution.
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M4H: A Harbor Reimagined
The transformation of Merwe-Vierhavens from a former port and industrial zone into a lively urban district requires reimagining public space. Hard stone quays once used for cargo handling are now being converted into green areas for relaxation and recreation. The tidal park is a key element of this shift, bringing people closer to the water while increasing biodiversity. The project aligns with Rotterdam’s ‘Rivieroevers’ program and the regional ‘Rivier als Getijdenpark’ initiative, with support from the European LIFE program, the Harbor Environment Fund, the Landscape Table Hof van Delfland, and other local sustainability funds.
Credit: Iris van den Broek
Credit: Iris van den Broek
How to get there
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​Getting to and from the Getijdenpark is easy. It's a 10-minute walk from the Marconiplein tram and metro station, making it easy to reach by public transport. For those arriving by car, parking is available at the Europoint parking garage (Marconistraat 16). The park is also accessible via the adjacent Watertaxi platform (81), providing another scenic route to this beautiful urban oasis.
Getijdenpark Keilehaven is designed by DE URBANISTEN and comissiond by the Municipality of Rotterdam
2025