This thesis interrogates the transformation of the Croatian coast, focusing on its identity beyond a touristic destination and examining the social and ecological impacts of tourism. The research poses crucial questions about the true character of the Croatian coast, the spatial elements introduced by tourism, and the resultant dissonances, as well as the role of urbanism and policy in these processes. Employing the proposed “tracing threads” method, this project traces and harmonizes dynamic processes across diverse systems and timescales, revealing interactions between more-than-human, human, and tourist perspectives. It emphasizes the ecological roles of elements like Posidonia oceanica meadows and the socio-economic importance of traditional practices. Conducted in Njivice on Krk island, the study proposes three main mechanisms for harmonisation: Protocols of Care and Repair, Regulative Actions, and Spatial Transformations. Care and Repair protocols derive from interdisciplinary research, informing stakeholders and guiding policy. Regulative Actions transform these protocols into planning and legislative measures, while Spatial Transformations apply these principles to physical spaces. This culminates in the sympoiesis of attraction, addressing the paradox where tourism’s allure simultaneously threatens its foundation, aiming to realign and harmonize the coast’s multifaceted landscape. ... Read more

With urgent urban challenges such as climate adaptation, energy transition, the continued extraction of resources and pushing urbanisation, the urgency of integrating planning and design with urban engineering increases. The implementation of new technological interventions and the utilisation of the natural system is hampered by the lack of an integrated approach incorporating urban planning and design decisions. Meanwhile, urban and economic growth increasingly competes for infrastructure and environment, affecting the success or failure of the daily operating systems of cities and regions and thereby urban competitiveness. The challenge is to fundamentally rethink the urban landscape in light of transitions, new concepts and new technologies – as material and ecological practices. The question is how to renew existing urbanised areas by integrating parameters of the natural system and technological innovations directly into urban development opportunities arising from spatial planning and design. In order to stimulate and design the synergy between design and engineering the course Infrastructure and Environment Design offers the possibility for urban design and landscape architecture students to get well acquainted with the concepts and language of the technical field on the subject of infrastructure and environment.... ... Read more

The global water crisis could 'spiral out of control' due to overconsumption, pollution, and climate change. Building resilient freshwater systems is one of the most significant challenges in the face of climate change.
The Rhine River basin is home to over 60 million people. It's a center for trade, industry, and food production. However, the region's complex ecosystem is currently under threat from direct and indirect consequences of human activity. The ecosystems and habitats are disappearing, and pollution is still present in the water due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. The growing population and increasing industrial demand for water use are putting a significant strain on the freshwater flow and supply, while droughts and floods further exacerbate the issue. This has resulted in the depletion of the quality of freshwater, creating further environmental risks..
The goal is to create an integrative and resilient Rhine River basin, with a special focus on the South Holland delta, which enhances the well-being of citizens, improves biodiversity, and ensures climate justice through the preservation of freshwater.
To achieve this, our vision for the Fresh Rhine employs a range of theories and methods such as resilience, sustainability, and nature-based solutions. They are applied in four critical locations: Lake Constance as the main water reservoir of the system; the area around the city of Kaub, a "blocked artery" of the river, especially sensitive to droughts; the Ruhr area, the main industrial center and pollutor of the region; and finally - the South Holland delta, where all these different conditions come together and meet the sea, another big threat to freshwater. The strategy focuses on renaturing the shorelines, reintroducing wetlands, and creating networks of wetland biotopes, as well as employing innovative ways of water reuse in agriculture, industries, and cities.
This will require collaboration between stakeholders, including government, private companies, civil society groups, and local communities. Ultimately, the project envisions a future where the Rhine River basin and the delta are leaders in sustainable water management, and a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
The implications of our strategy can extend beyond just the Rhine River basin. We aim to provide a more integrative approach to regional strategies for freshwater management in rivers that span across borders. The outcome of this project can be built upon for other regions facing similar challenges and provide a roadmap for creating resilient freshwater systems. ... Read more