Traffic
Car traffic is undoubtedly the most important user, at least in the quantitative sense. This location processes tens of thousands of traffic movements every day. Between the Motorway, Bio Science Park, Leiden city centre and the southern ring road around the urban area. Through traffic between motorway and city requires an underpass. We have sought the highest possible spatial quality: so no tunnel under a crossing, but a well layed out light and airy underpass, allowing for continuous contact with the sky and surrounding greenery.
Green
Leiden also wished for maximum attention for the users on ground: cyclists and pedestrians. That is why we have opted for roundabouts instead of crossings at both main interchanges: processing the car traffic safely and smoothly and providing a safe haven for slow traffic. The huge tarmac surfaces of normal crossings have been replaced here by the green “donut holes” of the roundabouts. Together with the extensive greening on either side of the roads the overall picture fits well with the requested “Park way”.
A recognisable and representative entry
The crossing of Plesmanlaan and Ehrenfestweg is the vestibule of Bio Science park, with direct views of the Gorlaeus building and its green square. The worthy design of the roundabout adds character and representation to the place: Bio science park begins at the nice open roundabout with the garden in the middle.