THE HIGH GROUND, the seventh and final exhibition of the long 9th edition of IABR, DOWN TO EARTH, is open at the Biesboschhal in Dordrecht though August 14.

^{DOWN TO EARTH: THE HIGH GROUND}

^{image: Aad Hoogendoorn}

Curated by DOWN TO EARTH chief curator George Brugmans, THE HIGH GROUND demonstrates how the extremely topical water safety agenda can be wielded as leverage, in this case to promote the Drechtsteden2030 Growth Agenda as well as the city of Dordrecht’s sustainability ambitions.

^{DOWN TO EARTH: THE HIGH GROUND}

^{model: West 8 - image: Aad Hoogendoorn}

^{DOWN TO EARTH: THE HIGH GROUND}

^{image: Aad Hoogendoorn}

Turning a disadvantage into an advantage
The exhibition focuses on the results of the IABR–Atelier Dordrecht, with Adriaan Geuze (West 8) as its lead designer. They make it crystal clear that De Staart can play an unexpectedly important role in realizing the city’s water safety agenda. De Staart, currently an isolated area with many problems and few prospects, is located outside the dikes and is Dordrecht’s high-ground city district. If Dordrecht decides to go with the water-safety-as-leverage approach, this will create unexpected opportunities for the sustainable development of an attractive mix-used living and working district including new forms of housing, water-safe facilities, innovative work concepts, and a unique river-bound tidal park, all in harmony with nature and including new connections for slow traffic that can also serve as escape routes.

^{DOWN TO EARTH: THE HIGH GROUND}

^{(detail) model by Made by Mistake - image: Aad Hoogendoorn}

On De Staart, the City of Dordrecht can hit many pins with one ball: increase water safety while at the same time building housing and stimulating employment, optimizing connections in the city and region and increasing the quality of life and recreational opportunities for all inhabitants. Thanks to the water-safety-as-leverage approach, the Map of Opportunities of De Staart created for THE HIGH GROUND reads like a collection of once in a lifetime chances.

^{THE HIGH GROUND - A MAP OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR DORDRECHT}

^{image: Aad Hoogendoorn}

The exhibition is free of charge and, given the current corona measures, you do not have to make a reservation.
Do pay close attention to the times and days that the exhibition is open: from Wednesday to Saturday, from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.

For more visitors information, such as directions, location and Covid-19 guidelines, click here.