Hans Venhuizen
Blauwalgdag (blue algae day)

Blauwalgdag
The project was given the green light on Blauwalgdag, which took place on 18 November 2006. A sketch was unveiled on the grassy sunbathing area next to the lake. It illustrated that the blue algae - which is mainly regarded as a problem – could also serve as a pretext to make the landscape more unique. Indeed, the sketch showed a possible solution to de Krabbeplas’ blue algae problem: i.e. blue algae can be prevented if the water is allowed to flow and is then filtered by a natural water filter before being pumped into the lake. This solution simultaneously creates a unique landscape as well as new recreational possibilities.
Before the sketch was unveiled, a panel discussion took place with experts in the fields of recreation, agriculture and landscape architecture. The central question was: what can new recreational trends and the changing role of agriculture contribute to the Midden-Delfland and de Krabbeplas districts. The discussion was intended as a prelude to the coming year when, together with residents, artists and architects, Bureau Venhuizen will search for possible answers to the above premise. They will do this not only through research and design, but also by (temporarily) giving away parts of de Krabbeplas. Hereby the most important principle is not to invent a new and ideal landscape but, instead, to work with the existing problems, developments and initiatives in order to develop new uses for this particular land.

Bureau Venhuizen stimulates new land use for de Krabbeplas in the following ways:
1. design based on problems
Together with graphic designer Minke Themans, architect COr Geluk and Alterra researcher Wim Timmermans, Bureau Venhuizen is investigating the future of Midden-Delfland and the possibilities of creating designs that are based on problems. Within this framework a number of discussions will also be held with a panel of experts. The results of the investigation will be partially presented in the same way as the blue algae sketch: i.e. as a diagram sketched on the grass in white chalk.

2. new purpose for de Krabbeplas
During the Blauwalgdag, the Claim-campaign was also launched. This campaign challenges the residents of Vlaardingen to claim a plot of land and demonstrate a plan for its new purpose. Everything will be accepted, whether it’s a concert or a hangout for the elderly. The only conditions are that: 1) the land must be tidied up after its use, 2) the land must remain open to the public and 3) the rules and regulations must be respected.

3. contributions by designers/architects
In addition to the above, there are four designers/architects who are involved at different levels and in different ways with the landscape, its environment, and the (im)possibilities of its new land use. They are Jan Jongert (from 2012 Architecten) who’s specialized in the (re)use of existing environments, energy sources and various waste materials; Willemijn Lofvers (from Lofvers & Van Bergen Kolpa Architecten) who’s working, together with Alterra, on a saline soil gardening experiment in which she will investigate whether the salinification of farmland can lead to new trends, forms of recreation and scenery; Jacques Abelman whose landscaping and design products are aimed at sustainability and ecology and Rianne Makkink (from Sloom-org) who, through a process of slowing down and ruminating, aims to develop gradual models of growth that focus on the experience of creating and submerging the landscape.

In the summer of 2007, on 22nd, 23th and 24th of June during Claim Krabbeplas, the plots of land were put into use and plans were presented.
For a period of six months various activities took place on the plots of land and in the autumn the results are presented in a format that will propose new purposes for de Krabbeplas and Midden-Delfland.