Friezstad
Friezstad is a research-by-design project exploring the technical and cultural dimensions of Friesland’s unique landscape. By studying the forces that have historically shaped the region, we envision future possibilities where water is central to sustainable development. Rooted in Friesland’s past, Friezstad presents a vision for a resilient, future-proof region where cities, agriculture, and industry thrive in harmony with water.
The project culminated in an immersive exhibition. By combining historical knowledge with speculative design, we challenge conventional approaches to urban and rural development and invite new ways of thinking about the region’s relationship with water.
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Commissioner
Gemeente LeeuwardenLocation
Obe Pavilion - Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsYear
2025 -
Atelier Stadsbouwmeester, Gemeente Leeuwarden
Paul Swagerman
Wetterskip Fryslân
Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden
Bureau Varenius
Tresoar -
Design lead: Eric Frijters
Team members: Duong Bui, Rens Wijnakker, Georgia Kokolaki
“Friesland's future lies in living with water, rather than resisting it.”
— Eric Frijters
Future scenarios shaped by Friesland’s past
Friezstad presents a forward-looking strategy grounded in Friesland’s historical relationship with water. By using water as a guiding principle for regional planning, the project envisions a resilient and adaptable landscape that supports biodiversity, economic vitality, and cultural heritage.
Through research, design, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we challenge conventional approaches to urban and rural development. Instead of fighting against water, Friesland’s future will be defined by living with it—turning a historical challenge into a powerful asset for the decades to come.
This vision is structured around three key scenarios:
1. Dynamic balance – Living between salt and fresh water
For centuries, Friesland has been shaped by the interplay of salt and fresh water. The historical adaptation to this challenge, from artificial mounds (terps) to extensive drainage systems, illustrates how water has influenced settlements and economies. However, modern water management relies heavily on engineering solutions that struggle to keep pace with climate change, salinization, and land subsidence.
With Friezstad we envision a landscape that embraces water’s natural dynamics rather than resisting them. Instead of rigid boundaries, the transition from sea to land is reimagined as a fluid, adaptive environment—from salt marshes along the coast to freshwater urban wetlands. Some areas will flood seasonally, others will evolve into fertile, water-rich agricultural zones. The age-old principle of terps is reinterpreted as elevated settlements within a dynamic, climate-resilient landscape
2. Slow Speed – Water as a Transport System
Friesland’s historical development was shaped by its waterways, which once formed the backbone of transport and trade. Cities and villages were connected like pearls on a string, with boat travel determining the rhythm of life. In winter, when canals froze, these waterways transformed into ice roads, dramatically accelerating movement and commerce.
Friezstad proposes a return to water-based mobility, rethinking transport and urban development around slow, sustainable movement. Instead of car-centric infrastructure, the region can leverage its water network for eco-friendly transit and logistics. Canals and waterways can once again become active corridors for transport, recreation, and commerce. Urban spaces will be designed for walkability, cycling, and water-based commuting, reinforcing a lifestyle where slowness is a strength rather than a limitation.
3. Working Water – A New Blue Economy
Water has always been a driving force in Friesland’s economy—from historical sea trade to modern water technology. Today, climate adaptation and circular economies offer new opportunities to redefine the relationship between work and water. Friezstad explores how industries, businesses, and urban living can be integrated into a water-driven economy.
A key case study within this scenario is De Zwette, an industrial area in Leeuwarden. We reimagine this site as a mixed-use district where production, housing, and water interact seamlessly. New residential layers are built on top of existing industrial buildings, and small-scale manufacturing hubs emerge along newly created canals. This transformation demonstrates how urban areas can evolve into vibrant, multifunctional environments that support both economic activity and ecological resilience.
The business park on the western side of Leeuwarden located between the Van Harinxma Canal, the Ferbinings Canal, and the Zwette Harbor, is transformed into a mixed-use district, to illustrate what a fast-paced landscape could look like. It features warehouses for small-scale production along numerous new canals. New residential layers are integrated atop the industrial buildings.
"Translated to the present, I envision two types of landscapes: one is a slow landscape, where tranquility prevails, with high biodiversity – a blue zone where life revolves around water.
The other is a fast landscape, where intensive production takes place. This creates a contrast."
— Eric Frijters
By exploring new ways of integrating water into urban and rural environments, Friezstad envisions a future where water is an asset, not a constraint. This vision looks back to Friesland’s historical strategies for managing water while adapting them for the future. Water is seen not just as a resource to manage, but as a vital part of a sustainable and diverse economy, one that sustains agriculture, energy production, and urban development while preserving cultural heritage.
Friezstad combines theoretical scenario planning with practical design solutions, offering adaptive strategies that allow Friesland’s cities and countryside to evolve in harmony with water. By drawing from history and looking ahead, the project presents a vision of a landscape that is dynamic, resilient, and aligned with natural processes. This includes integrating water into the economy, while also maintaining the cultural identity of Friesland.
Friesland’s approach to water management, rooted in it’s history, offers insights into how communities can adapt to the climate crisis. By revisiting historical practices and combining them with modern design thinking, the project presents a future where Friesland thrives in harmony with water. It encourages a shift in how we engage with water, proposing a future where water management is not just about survival but about flourishing together with the environment.
This video by Paul Swagerman is an integral part of the Friezstad exhibition, offering a visual exploration of the future scenarios for Friesland. It brings to life the three visionary approaches to living with water in Leeuwarden, set against the backdrop of the region’s rich history with water management. Through this film, visitors can dive deeper into the dynamic balance, slow speed, and working water concepts that will shape Friesland's future.
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