The north east of Rotterdam is a sharp contrast to the general image of the city dominated by industrial activity and modern architecture: a green suburban area of great natural beauty. The historic neighbourhood of Kralingen, parklands, the river Rotte and a series of lakes with riparian leisure facilities such as yacht harbours mark this affluent part of the city.

The area would be a real oasis in the dense urban fabric but it is brutally split by a motorway and train rail. The green area is cut through by the main artery of the Benelux, the motorway which connects the 3 main ports and generates constant traffic and pollution. Next to the motorway the main train lines are leading to the east. Crouched against the infrastructure a series of industries are located, in a strange paradox surrounded by the nicest parks of the city.

Invisible underground a large light industrial program is to be developed, on top a program of different residential typologies is developed fostering for different types of users all in a green environment, with views and connected to public transport. Two areas with office high rise are located near the tunnel entrances, providing the demanded sight-locations for the companies and keeping the middle part of the hill free for park landscape.

The Rotterdam Mountain project will change 67 hectare of urban infrastructure desert into park landscape and quiet residential neighbourhoods.