From bridges to a view of the Merwede Canal
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The municipality of Utrecht is working on two new bicycle and pedestrian bridges over the Merwede Canal, at the Waalstraat and the Zijldiepstraat. These bridges are of great importance for the accessibility of the new city neighbourhood Merwede, which is being developed between the existing neighbourhoods Rivierenwijk and Transwijk. Merwede will be a green, car-free district with space for 12,000 residents. The bridges will be completed in mid-2027 and will not only form a physical connection, but also an invitation to meet. It is precisely in this process of connection that art plays a special role.
Water as a common good
Earlier, a work of art under the bridges was considered. But the question soon arose whether that work would be visible and meaningful enough. Together with the architect of the bridges, the municipality of Utrecht and a specially composed artwork group, the view has been broadened. The art now focuses on the Merwede Canal itself, as the element that connects both banks. Not as a border, but as a common space where people, nature and city meet.
The artwork group consists of residents, rowers, houseboat residents, designers, the curator Gemene Grond and government officials. They explore how the canal can come to life as a shared space. Water belongs to all of us – we depend on it, so we must take care of it together. Could a work of art along the canal remind us of that mutual connection, with both people and nature? When formulating the art assignment, we also want to include the perspective of the water and its environment. That requires practice: thinking from the non-human. During preparatory activities, such as the Nightwalks led by Merve Bedir and a local artist collective: Expodium, we have already started doing this. Together with local residents, we explored the Merwedekanaalzone in new ways. The bridges remain important as a reason and as important points in the area. But art can now be given the space to develop along the canal, in places where residents can meet, pause or think about their relationship to the city and the water.
In this process, various activities have already been organised, such as walks along the canal and discussions with local residents. The ecological connections in the area are also being examined, such as the new waterline Diagonaal that will soon connect Merwede with Transwijk.
So, what is next?
The artwork group will work together to formulate the assignment for the artist. The members will then jointly select three artists who will be given a sketch assignment. Based on these sketches, one design will ultimately be chosen that will actually be implemented. An exciting process in which collaboration, vision and creativity come together, and in which the foundation is laid for an artwork that will permanently enrich the community.
