Spijkenisse
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[Spijkenisse] (population: 74,482 in 2006) is a town in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 30.23 km² (of which 4.07 km² water). Inhabitants of Spijkenisse, sometimes call it "Spijk City" (/spike city/).
Spijkenisse, a young town full of contrast
Spijkenisse is situated in the province of South Holland, on the island of Voorne-Putten. It is a new town with approximately 74,482 inhabitants (2006). Over the past forty years, Spijkenisse has developed from a small village to a medium-sized town, with large, child-friendly housing estates, a high standard of facilities, a wide range of clubs and societies, various shopping centres, extensive parks and large industrial estates.
Spijkenisse is situated in the centre of an area rich in contrasts. On the one side it borders on bustling Rotterdam, the world's largest port. On the other side there are picturesque little towns, spacious recreational areas and a unique countryside, all within cycling distance. The town itself is also characterized by contrasts. For example, there is the alternation between metropolitan housing estates and convivial village communities. Even the location of the quiet Center Park, directly situated next to the island's busiest transport hub - Spijkenisse Centrum metro station - can be described as a rich contrast. A stable element in all this dynamism is the constant flow of the Old Maas, the river along which banks the town of Spijkenisse is based.
Rapid growth
Spijkenisse did not become a town in gradual stages; it was created over a short time span. After the Second World War, the village of barely 2,700 inhabitants experienced a rapid growth as a result of the expansion of Rotterdam's port into Spijkenisse's 'backyard'. Thousands of people who found work in the new dock areas were housed on the spacious new estates around the original village.
By the mid-1970s, Spijkenisse already housed around 30,000 inhabitants. But the development had not yet come to an end. To cope with the migration from the large cities into the rural areas, the government designated a number of centres of urban growth. One of these centres was Spijkenisse. Between 1978 and 1990 the town has built nearly 15,000 dwellings. Next to this, Spijkenisse has also created a wide range of facilities.
Green town
It is no coincidence that Spijkenisse is often described as a green town. Deliberate efforts were made to bring the countryside into the town, and these efforts have been successful. From the polders and parks around the town, 'fingers' of green run into the urban area and appear to hold the various parts of the town in their grasp. There has even been made room available for green in the densely populated town centre, in the form of the rustic Centre Park.
There also is plenty of green in the landscape outside Spijkenisse. For example, there are the parks and polders around the town, but also spacious recreation and nature conservation areas in the hinterland. For relaxation, people can also head for the subtropical Riviera Swimming Pool or the children's farm in the Centre Park. Next to these possibilities, organized boat trips through the polders can be enjoyed. These boat trips start in the town centre.
The municipality of Spijkenisse also includes the village of Hekelingen.
A metro line starts at De Akkers station, proceeds to Heemraadslaan station and Spijkenisse Centrum station, then to Hoogvliet (mun. Rotterdam), where it splits into:
- the Caland Line to Pernis (mun. Rotterdam), Schiedam, Rotterdam, where it splits again and one branch goes to Capelle aan den IJssel;
- the Erasmus Line to Albrandswaard (Poortugaal, Rhoon) and Rotterdam.
External links
- [official website]
- [basic data]
- http://www.plattegronden.nl/spijkenisse/
- redirect
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