Amsterdam Zuidoost is characterized by a modernist spatial structure that strongly prioritizes car infrastructure, resulting in fragmented public space, limited accessibility to everyday facilities, and reduced street-level livability. Despite generous green spaces and public transport provision, walking and cycling remain discontinuous and secondary, while large amounts of space are reserved for car traffic and parking. This project investigates how Amsterdam Zuidoost can be redeveloped to redistribute urban space away from cars and toward active mobility, with the aim of improving access to daily amenities and enhancing overall livability.

Using the 15-minute city framework as a guiding concept and spatial justice as a normative lens, the project translates abstract principles of equity and accessibility into concrete, spatial design interventions. The design approach is structured through six thematic layers—active mobility, car traffic and parking, barriers and permeability, public facilities and proximity, staying and meeting space quality, and social safety—allowing for an integrated and operational redesign of the neighborhood. A pilot area serves as a testing ground where car dominance is gradually reduced through street re-profiling, car-free interiors, parking reduction, and improved cycling and walking networks, while simultaneously strengthening local facilities and public spaces.

Rather than proposing an abrupt removal of cars, the project focuses on realistic behavioral change by pairing spatial restrictions on car use with high-quality, attractive alternatives for everyday mobility. The results demonstrate how a phased, design-led transformation can improve accessibility, activate public space, and create a ripple effect that supports future transformations in surrounding areas. The project positions active mobility not as an add-on, but as the spatial backbone of everyday life in Amsterdam Zuidoost.

As one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China, the Greater Bay Area plays a significant strategic role in the country’s overall development, showcasing the power of urban transformation within a diverse and sociopolitically rich region. Since China’s economic reform in 1978, mega projects and world-leading developments in the region have driven rapid urbanization. Despite these achievements, rapid globalization has led to negative effects on ecology and pollution in the GBA. When paired with climate change and deltaic conditions, these issues create “double-negative” effects on various layers.

Using the concept of “state entrepreneurialism” as a starting point, this project explores the role of urban mega developments in realizing the state’s strategic and political objectives. It critiques the existing top-down, marketdriven
governance model and advocates for a paradigm shift towards localized planning approaches. These dynamics create tensions in soft locations, areas in transition which are susceptible to change and speculation.

This report outlines the shift from using megaprojects as catalysts for urban development to a more holistic framework. This new approach frames “megascapes” of place-bound strategic interventions that foster complementary relations and shifts focus from big urban cores to their surrounding territories. We define megascapes as self-directed territories consisting of functional conglomerations that respond to local sensitivities and transformations, proposing a future where soft peripheral territories are integrated into the GBA’s broader regionalization model. This vision emphasizes adaptable, place-bound development and enhanced relations between ecological and economic systems to foster sustainable urban growth.

In an era marked by pressing environmental concerns and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, our project embarked on a transformative journey, envisioning a future where nature-based strategies not only combat climate change but also foster economic prosperity and social justice.

With CO2 emissions reaching alarming levels and posing grave threats to the environment, human health, and global stability, conventional approaches to combat climate change often fall short in addressing the intricate interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors. Our research sought to tackle this challenge towards a just transition to a low-carbon economy: “How can we design a circular economy of carbon storage focussing on nature-based solutions?"

Grounded in the principles of sustainability and equity, our approach initially focused on proposing nature-based solutions to reduce CO2 levels. However, recognizing the need for a holistic transformation, our methodology evolved to integrate bio-based economy concepts and community-centric design principles. This involved a rigorous examination of existing policies, spatial analyses, and stakeholder engagement to develop a comprehensive strategy.
The overarching goal was to present a visionary blueprint for transforming land use, emphasizing nature-based solutions as central to carbon mitigation efforts while fostering economic development and social resilience. This entailed the creation of green corridors, the establishment of productive communities, and the promotion of collaboration within the bio-based economy.

Through our research, we identified forests and wetlands as beneficial nature-based storage methods for the Netherlands, with significant potential to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite spatial conflicts and implementation challenges, investing in the bio-based economy, particularly in construction using bio-based materials, emerged as a promising avenue for economic growth. Our phased approach to implementation outlined pathways for achieving equitable CO2 reduction while maximizing environmental and social benefits.

Our work extends far beyond environmental conservation. By presenting a transformative vision that integrates nature-based solutions with socio-economic considerations, we offer a roadmap for policymakers, businesses, and communities to navigate the complexities of climate change mitigation. This matters because it signals a paradigm shift towards sustainable development, where the preservation of nature goes hand in hand with economic prosperity and social equity, ensuring a resilient and thriving future for generations to come.