5.   Proposal

The main propose of this project s to promote a new way of public space within the island by fostering the identity of Texel and its seven villages and promoting the interchange of products and knowledge. The idea is to promote the interchange of knowledge and products within specific nodes through iconic elements that promote the identity of the island. As a consequence, it is expected that people are going to feel attached to the island, and a sustainable tourism is going to be promoted at the same time. Hence, it is proposed to promote a new approach of public space by combining education, culture and nature. As it was mentioned before, the strategy is to identify some identity and/or iconic aspects within each village and connect them through interactive connections that combine education, culture and nature. In summary, our ambition for Texel is to become a sustainable pioneer for the Netherlands and surrounding Wadden Islands by improving the knowledge of the tourist about the sustainable solutions of Texel, its culture and nature. Besides, as it was stated before, the plan is to incorporate “Circular Flow Land Use Management” and “Placemaking” criteria to promote the use of the current spaces and technologies to ensure a fast and instant application, regarding that pubic space represents either a meeting point, market place or traffic place.

What is more, for the development of a sustainable public space within Texel, it is planned to involve the community in the development of new projects. The idea is to organize meetings with the community to exchange ideas and find solutions within Texelaars, regarding a sustainable approach. 

As a case study, it is planned to analyse De Koog, due to the fact that it has a lot of potential to develop this idea of a sustainable public space, that promotes identity and the interchange of knowledge and products within the inhabitants and the tourists.

Next is mentioned some iconic and identity aspects of each village. 

1. Oosterend: The fisherman village. In fact, it's the hometown of most fishermen on Texel and it is the second largest village on the island. What is more, Oosterend is built around Saint Martin's Church a church (Maartenskerk) that is one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands.
2. Oudeschild: The fishing harbour. It is the home harbour of the Texel fishing fleet.
3. De Hoorn: Piloting ship and Flower bulbs.
4. Den Burg: Esperanto. It is the largest city of Texel
5. De Waal: Sommeltjespop. Sommeltjes are kinds of trolls that appear in folk stories on Texel. It is the smallest village.
6. De Koog: Fishing village. It represents the centre of tourism on the island
7. De Cocksdorp: The lighthouse. It is the youngest village.

(Texel.net, 2014) (Wikipedia, Wikipedia, 2013)

Bibliography:

Texel.net. (2014). Villages. Retrieved 12 12, 2014, from Texel: http://www.texel.net/en/about-texel/villages/

Wikipedia (2014). Texel. Retrieved 12 12, 2014, from Texel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texel#Geography