Food is a vital part of our lives and throughout history it has shaped our cities. However, our current agricultural practices exhaust our natural environment and are threatened by climate change. Next to that, the design of our food system is highly susceptible to global instabilities. With the population only increasing and more people living inside cities, the pressure on the food system is only growing. This increases food insecurity and further planetary urbanization.

Urban agriculture is seen as a possible method to transform the food system into a sustainable system. In research, the qualities of urban agriculture and its effect on the food system are discussed. Yet, the effect on the direct surroundings are mostly ignored. At the same time, when these effects are reviewed, little differentiation is made between different types of urban agriculture. Hence, this paper focuses on the question: How can urban agriculture be implemented into cities to improve the liveability of the city? This is done using literature review, case study analysis and design experiments.

The research shows that the effect of urban agriculture on liveability is highly dependent on the strategy that is being implemented. Liveability consists of six dimensions: Stability, education, healthcare, facilities, social cohesion and physical environment. No direct effects can be measured on stability education and healthcare. Nevertheless, literature suggests there might be indirect positive effects. Facilities, social cohesion and physical environment can be improved through urban agriculture. Here, the strategy that is being implemented determines which dimension of urban agriculture is improved. There is not one strategy that improves all aspects of liveability, instead each strategy has its own strength. Other aspects that influence the liveability are the production system, activity, area, location, product and destination. Altogether, there is not one design in urban agriculture that can improve liveability, some aspects of urban agriculture might decrease liveability. Hence, a balance needs to be found between changing the food system and creating a qualitative living environment.
... Read more

People are feeling more and more lonely, especially in cities. This has negative effects on mental and physical well-being as well as on the economy. Feeling lonely is not just caused by internal factors like genetics and social skills, as many people think. The environment we live in contributes 52% to the feeling of loneliness. This environment is something changeable, especially for urbanists. Therefore, this thesis aims to bridge the gap between the existing theories about loneliness and the practical applications of these in the built environment of Linkeroever. Linkeroever is a deprived modernist neighbourhood in Antwerp separated from the rest of the city by the Scheldt River, where urban loneliness is a serious issue. This thesis will propose spatial and programmatic interventions through different scales and grounded in literature and empirical research that stimulate social cohesion and collective development on a legible human scale, countering urban loneliness. This will be done by answering the research question: how to improve spatial and programmatic conditions in Linkeroever that stimulate social cohesion and collective development, countering urban loneliness? Methods including research by design, literature analysis, and field trips helped by answering this question and resulted in an urban design for Linkeroever. Key takeaways from this research and design are that to counter urban loneliness important topics are social cohesion, social interaction, collective and personal development opportunities, and a legible and human scale. Spatial elements like hybrid zones, collective courtyards, and better public transport connections, together with programmatic solutions like a diverse public space offer, providing people with choices regarding social and development spaces, and making people proud through landmarks, can be used by urban designers and planners to counter urban loneliness all over the world. ... Read more

The Netherlands is dealing with two problems. The first is a large housing crisis. Housing is unavailable, unaffordable and lacking in quality and perfomance. There is also a liveability crisis. While the overall liveability score in The Netherlands has been going up in the last two decades, the neighborhood that score the worst have not been able to improve their situation. The most vulnerable group of the population resides in these areas and they are unable to put themselves or their surrounding in a better environment. Post-war neighborhoods consist of a high amount of these low-scoring neighborhood, while at the same time they have a high potential for densfication that would aid in resolving the housing shortage. The question arises how densification can be a catalyst for improving the quality of living in post-war neighborhoods.
This thesis investigates the concept of densficitation, its sustainable character and its relationship to improving the quality of living on a spatial and social level. The next chapter looks into the concept of liveability, what it means, what impact it has and what the situation is in The Netherlands. After that, the post-war neighborhood will be researched to gain a better understanding on its problems and potential.
The conclusion says that there is definetely a deeply rooted but complex relationship between densification and liveability, one that is far from superficial. By putting clear and strict criteria to the implementation of densification, it is possible to have a positive effect on the quality of living in post-war neighborhoods. These criteria evolve on three levels: 1) mobility, 2) urban blocks, and 3) open space. The thesis proposes a set of criteria and imagines the results of these criteria. By combining the sustainable solution for the housing crisis and measures for the improvement of liveability, it is possible to uplift neighborhoods that deals with social and spatial problems and create a just and healthy urban environment for all. ... Read more

The neighborhood of Nieuwland, located in Schiedam, Zuid-Holland is one example of the many post-war neighborhoods the Netherlands offers. It formed the extension of Schiedam’s city center and consisted of a clear functionalist lay-out upon its completion in 1965, characterized by monotony, frugal architecture, and a clear separation of functions and traffic. Although initially inhabited by a relatively homogeneous population of predominantly Dutch working class families, this is not the case currently: after several decades, the population shifted towards a more heterogeneous mix of inhabitants, with a significantly stronger presence of lower income households and households with a migration background. For two reasons, socioeconomic and sociospatial issues increased as a result of this shift. Firstly, because the neighborhood became poorer in general. Secondly, because it became harder for the people of this neighborhood to live together, as the amount of cultural backgrounds and ways of living started to increase. 
There have been several plans to mitigate the issues at hand in Nieuwland in the past. It became one of the Vogelaarwijken in 2007 for example. However, things have still not improved as much as in other neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the way we (re)develop neighborhoods in the Netherlands has shifted, as the focus on inner city redevelopment has been growing in contemporary strategies that try to combat national issues like the Dutch housing shortage. Through this we could say that there is a certain necessity to find new ways to effectively redevelop Nieuwland. One innovative approach for this is to get to understand the citizens perspective of the neighborhood, and use this to discover what is not working and what can be improved in Nieuwland.
In this graduation project, the fieldwork technique of narrative cartography has been used to attempt to get an interpretation of this citizen perspective. 12 interviews have resulted in that many verbal and visualized stories (through the creation of narrative maps), showcasing how the inhabitants of Nieuwland experience the neighborhood, what their routines look like, how and with whom they interact, and what they would improve. 
From this, design principles have been developed that have been applied to redevelopment proposals for the central part of Nieuwland (which is the area where most interviews have been held). Combined with two other important perspectives - that of non-citizen stakeholders (housing association and municipality) and the urban designer - a framework has been developed and used for establishing these design proposals. A general vision for this part of Nieuwland has been created, and focus area have been selected and worked in detail to showcase how delicate, nuanced and feasible interventions based on predominantly the perspective of the current inhabitants of Nieuwland can lead to an inclusive and strategic redevelopment of the neighborhood.
... Read more

Excessive carbon emission has led to global warming, resulting in climate change. Due to this, the natural carbon and water cycles are disbalanced leading to extreme (water-related) events, such as flooding, periods of drought and diminished water quality. The degradation of ecosystems and threat to human survival are direct consequences of this process.


There is an urgency to act in the upcoming seven years to remain below the 1,5 degree global temperature rise. Aside from reducing CO2 emissions in long-term processes, carbon capturing is crucial to achieve short-term ambitions. Therefore, this study investigates the implementation of (nature-based) carbon sinks strategies, using water(bodies) as a tool, in North-West Europe..

This report fills the gap of knowledge on how to implement water-based decarbonization through spatial interventions in North-West Europe.
Firstly, the technical aspects of water-based decarbonization are studied by reviewing existing literature, providing the required spatial conditions for the implementation of water-related carbon sinks. The historical and current conditions in North-West Europe are mapped and analysed. Comparing these results, an evidence-based selection of feasible intervention areas are determined.


Our analysis shows that the EuroDelta is the strategic location for the spatial vision for North-West Europe. There is a need for a paradigm shift to restore the self-sustaining system of the Delta, demanding Nature Based Solutions. Wetland restoration is the most efficient, low cost approach of climate change mitigation as the free, well-functioning services of these carbon sinks naturally make way for long-term restoration of the natural balance and societal well-being. They should be restored in original historical sites and the Dutch Delta is suitable. Therefore bottom-up approaches are required in global visions as wetlands restoration is context-specific.

We conclude that de Krimpenerwaard polder and the Port of Rotterdam are effective, feasible, and inclusive solutions to tackle both climate change and societal challenges while providing long-term water-resilience and livability through all scales. Agricultural sectors will shift to sustainable farming and (port-)industries are held accountable for their emission. A limitation is the disregard on the emission of methane which in further research should be taken into account.
... Read more

With the current emissions and disasters due to climate change, the energy transition towards a sustainable and climate resilient future of Northwest Europe is now more important than ever. The fi rst steps have been made, but this transition is happening too slow and in an insufficient and uncollaborative manner. This research studies the spatial implications of the energy transition and aims to construct a framework that helps to accelerate the process and make it more efficient and socially just. The methods used for this are data analysis and research by design, combined with scenario building, by investigating and designing the case study of the province of South-Holland within the context frame of Northwest Europe. The results of this report show an integrated spatial vision on the energy transition on multiple scales. Additionally, it provides a strategic framework that consists of policies, organizational structures and physical interventions, both in space and time, that are structured in a catalog. This proposal helps accelerate the process of the energy transition, to be able to build on a sustainable future for energy production and distribution ... Read more

For the past centuries, the agricultural sector in north western Europe underwent massive intensification to keep up with the great demand due to globalization and population growth. In this process, an excessive amount of nitrogen has been emitted into the environment, causing soil depletion and biodiversity loss. The efforts of national politics, like the Netherlands and Belgium, to tackle this crisis has brought conflict concerning social justice. This project aims to provide a socially just strategy that achieves a sustainable agricultural food system, which in turn solves the nitrogen crisis by the year 2075. This is done by literature research on past principles, the current context and future trends of both social and environmental concerns. By building on the concepts of decentralization and sustainable land use in scenario building, a vision is formed. A conceptual framework has been set up to connect all the elements considered important within this transition. Through research by and research for design, a strategy will be developed in which South Holland will be used as a case study.
The goal of the report is to showcase a transition from the current agricultural food system into a just and sustainable one. Essential to achieve this goal is to look at different parts of the agricultural chain. The strategy inducing this transition includes new policies, technologies, knowledge and practices that reduce the nitrogen emissions. Through policies and projects some components will be phased out while others are simultaneously accelerated to activate the transition. Based on environmental attributes, different options are offered to guide farmers to proactively switch to more sustainable forms of agriculture. At the same time, consumers and distribution companies, guided by all levels of government, move to shorter chains to support sustainable farmers. To demonstrate the strategy on a local scale, three areas within the province of South Holland have been selected as a case study. By implementing a multi-scaled and holistic approach on the agricultural food system, engaging stakeholders on different levels, the project has the potential to serve as a blueprint for creating a just and sustainable food system that no longer causes nitrogen pollution.
... Read more

Different government bodies, from the European Union down to the Port of Rotterdam Authority have implemented the policy goal to become circular by 2050 to minimize demand and dependence on finite resources. However, a circular economy - an economic model in which materials circulate in closed loops and waste is viewed as a resource - is vastly different from the current linear system of extraction, consumption and waste. The plastics industry that is currently present in the port of Rotterdam is one such industry where large amounts of raw material is being used and large amounts of waste generated. It is still far from circular. Thus, transitions in the industry itself and in our interaction with products are necessary. The question that arises is: how can the transition to circular plastic manufacturing in the Rotterdam maritime region contribute to a more sustainable, resilient and just economy?

Theory on transition management and socio-technical systems, analyses of spatial use and networks of the plastics industry in South Holland, and research on the developments in plastic manufacturing, has led to the understanding of the current networks and flows in the plastics industry. A subsequent analysis of stakeholders, policies and design options has led to a vision and strategy for the South Holland region, on how to shape a new circular plastics economy.

In the proposed strategy of Plasticity, (1) the strength of a strategic location in the port of Rotterdam is used to expand the renewable cycle of the bioplastics industry, and (2) by actively engaging citizens in reusing and recycling plastic products on a local level in the whole region, a technical circular cycle is enhanced in the whole province. Plastic is used as an example to demonstrate the contemporary issues around dependency on fossil material in the South Holland context, but similar principles regarding integrating the biological and technical cycle, facilitating space for innovation and growth of circular models, and engaging the whole socio-technical system in the transition process can be applied to other sectors and places. This expands the applicability of this vision and strategy beyond plastic.
... Read more

Mankind is exhausting natural resources. Therefore, the need to transform the linear material flows towards circular chains is increasing. Steel is a material that is produced and used globally and has high potentials for recycling. However, in the maritime sector, steel is currently barely recycled, let alone reused in a more direct way. Maritime manufacturing is a vital industry in the province of South-Holland, strengthened by a strong knowledge network. The aim of this project is to localise and extend the steel life cycle, to create an environmentally and socially sustainable province in which maritime manufacturing can grow in a responsible way. In order to close the loops, the R-ladder is used as a framework for circular material flows in the manufacturing industry and in the participation of the citizens. A local steel life cycle for maritime manufacturing will be achieved through the connection of the steel using maritime companies in Rotterdam and the Drecht Cities with the steel production company of TATA Steel in IJmuiden. Missing links in the cycle, a secondary steel processing company and ship disassembly companies, will be brought to the province, providing a new purpose to the Port of Rotterdam when fossil fuels phase out. The transition to material circularity will be made possible through innovations in modular shipbuilding and renewable fuels. Innovation centres in the maker's industry will bridge between knowledge and practice. The consumers will be involved in the material transition through community re-hubs in their cities, where they can share, reuse and recycle products. In this strategy, the extensive water network will function as a backbone along which spatial developments will take place. The water backbone will be a connector for both public transport and industrial transport. This strategy for a transition towards circular steel flows in maritime manufacturing, can be an incentive and inspiration for other manufacturing sectors to close their material cycles. ... Read more