What happens if we look at (public) space through the lens of gender? How would it be experienced differently? These are questions this thesis will look into. It aims to not only explore different types of gendered spaces but also to increase the understanding of designers and planners on how to make public space more gender inclusive. With the purpose of exploration, a case study is done with a neighborhood in Rotterdam, namely Beverwaard. The conclusions are translated into a strategic framework and an accompanying patternbook. The strategic framework proposes the improvement of the safety, accessibility and inclusivity of public space.

The Earth is currently coping with global warming as a result of human behaviour. One of the causes is plastic, namely not only the production and transportation of plastic, but also the spillage is extremely damaging for the environment. Some awareness has already been raised and some actions have been taken but this is not enough to turn the tide, a change in the plastic chain is needed. Therefore, the following research question was raised: How can regional planning and design stimulate circularity throughout the plastic network in Zuid-Holland? Fantastic Plastic is a project that articulates a framework for this sustainable future with plastics. We relied on an integrated framework that combines spatial interventions with circularity and the plastic network. Vision We envision that by 2050, the way we use plastics within the province of South-Holland has changed drastically. The plastics industry, which is primarily linear at the moment, will shift to a circular model. The province will no longer rely on the import of non-renewable resources as raw materials for this industry, or rely on the export of excess plastic waste as an end of pipe solution - to plastic waste issues. Consumption has been limited to a minimum through socioeconomically fair and viable alternatives. End-of-pipe solutions shift to recycling and, perhaps, composting - diminishing the environmental impacts and closing the loop of the plastic cycle. In thirty years, the circular model will entail fair and viable solutions throughout the plastic lifecycle. Strategy This report identified four different spatial interventions that are crucial for making the plastic chain circulair, namely: The HUB centre, the HUB industry, the Park and the Port. These spatial interventions coexist and are integrated in people's daily life. They keep plastic flows at the lowest scale possible and make people actively interact with plastic on different levels. These interventions can accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future so that in 2050 plastic is transformed into Fantastic Plastic.