Globally, one in four adults do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity. Because people spend a significant amount of time in the work environment and especially office employees spend a lot of time in sedentary behaviour and have low physical activity levels, this study focuses on the reduction of sedentary behaviour and increase of physical activity in both the office building and the home work environment by replacing sedentary behaviour with incidental physical activity in terms of walking and stair climbing.

This study specifically focuses on the relation between the arrangement of spaces within the office building and employees’ incidental physical activity, since there is limited existing knowledge on this relation. In addition, this study focuses on other spatial, social and personal factors that may influence incidental physical activity within offices where spaces are arranged differently and in the home work environment. Therefore, the main research question is as follows: “How can the arrangement of spaces within the office building and the home work environment stimulate office employees’ incidental physical activity in terms of walking and stair climbing?”

The study resulted in an enhanced method to answer this research question. In this study, this method is tested, refined and retested to advise for further use of the method. Next to that, some results about the relation between the work environment and office employees’ incidental physical activity are discussed. ... Read more

People share a deep-seated need for a 'sense of home'. It is an intangible, psychological and sociological need that is projected on, and connected to the Built Environment (Rennels & Purnell, 2017; Dovey, 1985). Many people in western societies meet their 'sense of home' through traditional housing. Yet, there is a small marginalized group of homeless people whom are unable to do so. Many suffer from severe physical and mental health diseases, which makes it even more challenging to maintain a stable life. Dutch policymakers provide shelters to assist those in need, but these accommodations do not positively affect the well-being of the homeless. In addition, many shelters fail to facilitate the wish of homeless people of dying in the shelter (Klop et al., 2018).

Therefore, the aim of this research is to redefine shelter design so to improve the mental well-being of homeless people. This, by learning lessons from psycho-supportive design approaches in the healthcare environment. Hence, the main question in this research is: ‘Which architectural elements in the care environment have a positive effect on the (mental) well-being of homeless (terminal) people with chronic mental health problems?’.
The above question is answered by means of literature studies, case study analysis and fieldwork. From the results, several spatial-design components have been extracted and categorized into problems and solutions concerning the theoretical themes of: stigma; security; sensorial stimulation and environmental experience.

The results showed that privacy, daylight entrance, access to nature and social integration are the four main elements that positively improve one’s (mental or physical) well-being. Additional spatial-design components have been summarized into four conclusive Evidence-Based-Design guidelines and crucial design factors which may be applied on both urban and building scale. When all four guidelines are considered in the architectural design of shelters, the best mental health outcomes are achieved.
As the issue of homelessness is not yet solved and the number of people with complex care needs increase, the Netherlands is in desperate need of more assisted and affordable housing. With this research architects, urban planners and developers are encouraged to enter the discourse of homelessness. Moreover, they are stimulated to use the Evidence-Based Toolkit into the design process of new homeless shelters. ... Read more

This research design project aims to reconnect the landscape with its local users. The landscape has many components, but in this research design project is focussed on the relation between human practices and the landscape, since this relation has been broken in (recent) history of the city. Landscape as common ground operates on different levels of intervention in order to reconnect the landscape with its local users. By connecting through continuity, the productive landscape, engagement and by reactivating ruins and abandoned spaces this site specific landscape design intervention reacts on different scales to the post-traumatic context of Mostar. ... Read more

Since the oil crises during the 1970s, there has been a growing awareness of thermal losses through windows in buildings. Nowadays, double-glazing is a common product for moderate maritime climate. In the Netherlands two permit requirements are calculations regarding nearly zero energy and environmental performance of a building. In order to reach nearly zero energy buildings, triple glazing and even quadruple glazing is considered as possibility. This has negative affects on the environmental performance of a building, because glass does need a lot of resources for production. A solution to that challenge could be the application of thin glass sandwiches, a structural sandwich with two ultra-thin faces (0.5mm) of glass. The structural sandwich is common in the aviation industry to stiffen and strengthen an element without adding significant weight. Downside is the increased conduction through the core material. Question is: to what extent can a thin glass sandwich panel, compared to regular insulated glass units, counterbalance its decreased thermal performance by reducing embodied energy during production? This research focusses on the material choice, quantity and distribution in the core of a sandwich panel in order to maximize thermal performance for a moderate maritime climate. In order to do so, materials from the CES library are evaluated. Detailed analytical calculations are used to determine the thermal performance regarding different patterns. FEA simulation software is used to determine the thermal performance regarding the cross-section of the actual thermal bridge between the two faces. From this research, the best solution is picked and evaluated on energy consumption, order to identify the effects on a building scale. General trends are identified and transformed into a design for a thin glass sandwich. Next to that, design guidelines are extracted for designers in order to design a thin glass sandwich without the need of calculating. ... Read more

The project is concerned with the history and future of the Nederlands Dance Theatre, in the context of its recent demolition of the Lucent Danstheater, to make place for the building of a new cultural centre. I propose to add a new element to the NDT, a danceschool, which fills a gap in the educational development (between the age of 11 and 17) and program of the company. This new element will be housed in a new building, which will become part of the new identity of NDT. The building is located at Spaarneplein, in the middle of the Rivierenbuurt (a disadvanged neighbourhood) of The Hague. The chosen location is within walking distance of the (future) Education and Cultural Centre at the Spuiplein, but also brings a social and political agenda with it. ... Read more

Addresses questions social isolation, privatization and individualization of urban sprawl. Focuses on existing boundaries fences, walled estates, commonly
present in contemporary gated society. Enables negotiation of limits between neighbors, houses, possessions and streets. Introduces human proximity to nature and other neighbors by transforming a wall of suburban possessions. Provides an instruction for porosity and density in built environment and new plans. Questions urban regulations and functional constrains which shape alleged freedom of suburban citizens ... Read more

Amsterdam is like many other cities facing several problems in the coming future. For my graduation project especially two project are important.

Firstly, our food system is under a lot of pressure. Worldwide we are not able to feed the global population. On a smaller scale the population of cities is growing due to urbanization. The urbanization causes difficulties to feed the urban citizens. Next to that, urbanizations also causes a growing distance between us and our food. A close relation with the food we eat is helping to understand the need for change.

Secondly, due to the earlier mentioned urbanization, Amsterdam is facing a housing shortage. Especially starters do have a hard time finding a suitable place to live within the city. Starters on the housing market cannot find a place to live because of a lack of availability and affordability. Densification of the city will help solving the housing shortage and the high prices.
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Gouda is one of several cities in the west of the Netherlands which still have a traditional medieval core, built on the long stretches of subsiding peat ground. The effects of subsidence, combined with the removal of surface water in the last century, are now further exacerbated by the increasing threat of climate change, which results in a growing flood risk. This thesis develops a plan to improve water storage and decrease risks using green-blue spatial interventions. The capacity of such interventions is calculated in various situations, ranging from normal rainy days to extreme precipitation occurrences without support from existing technical systems. At the same time, the potential for spatial changes is tested, both through analysis and workshops with inhabitants and other stakeholders. New interventions must be closely integrated within the existing structure of the city in order to protect the monumental value of the existing medieval core and ensure the character of the city centre remains recognisable. This leads to an integrated, three-pronged strategy in which the various characteristics and problems of the city centre each result in a different approach, including both monumental protection as well as a new drive towards innovative water management practices. To further ground these strategies into the existing city structure, new street profiles are developed, which show what level and type of adaptation can be added to specific streets. Interventions are chosen in such a way that each change references an already existing element of the city without being directly derivative. Instead they evoke the character of the city without copying it. In one location, water storage was brought back from where it was removed in the 20th century, adapted in a modernized way that brings more storage capacity as well as new functions. This creates a city in which monumental buildings are protected from flooding, precipitation is safely discharged and the potential for new water experiences is re-opened. ... Read more

‘Real estate is the largest asset class in the world’ as stated by Harvard business school Professor Arthur Segel. It is also unbeatable driver of individual wealth and overall economy. But on the other hand, it is one of the most imperfect markets, due to the lack of accessibility to valuable information in the limited time of decision making process. Thus, it is crucial to find out what is brought by the state of art that could tackle this problem in such a complex and competitive context.

Since, the main component of information is data which is also the chief resource in the modern world; (big) data could be a hot phenomenon to be adapted within the real estate investment domain for improving the performance of the real estate market.

Thus, the main goal of this research is to bridge the area between real estate investment domain and big data, by leveraging big data methods, predictive analytics and smart tools for achieving informed real estate investment decisions. Consequently, investors will be able to maximize return, achieve better risk diversification and select the right time to invest.

The expected final product of this research is a developed integrated decision making model and flow chart that involves big data methods and techniques for making more informed real estate investment decisions ‘Dutch office market’.
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Within the field of architecture there has been done a lot of research of the experience of architecture and the behaviour of people in cities and around buildings. There is however little knowledge about the intangibles related to (the parts of) buildings that invite to (daily) rituals. A building provides place for rituals and taking part in the rituals influences the emotions and the experience of the user. Rituals can be used to reduce stress.

The Delft University Campus offers a very challenging case to test emotions and rites in the built environment, because of the work pressure that comes with an array of emotions. Assumed is that the users of the buildings have personalised rites to deal with these emotions. How can an architectural design be made in which rites and emotions are optimised? An architectural design of a centre of retreat should invites people to develop their own rituals. ... Read more

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to research the potential of smart tools in the increasingly dynamic used campus workplace from a user perspective, to provide the campus manager with information on both the smart tool product and the smart tool implementation process.
Methodology: The currently used smart tools are explored by filling out a standardized form. The in-depth case studies are conducted following the user journey approach. By drawing a timeline of a day and mapping the different events with associated feelings, an in-depth view of the users’ day can be captured.
Findings: The findings show 9 different smart tools functions. Within these groups, smart tools differ in terms of level of accuracy and combination of provided functions. The user journeys present the diversity in smart tool requests that users can have, which is strongly related to the provided workplace. Based on the findings, implications for the campus manager are summarized in an ambition framework, which presents four strategies to approach a smart tool project.
Practical implications: The findings from this research are based on the campus manager perspective and therefore provide implications for the campus manager.
Originality: The paper provides insights in several smart tool projects. As still many smart tool projects are not considered to be successful after implementation, information is needed to guide campus manager throughout this process. ... Read more

This thesis project develops an inclusive design in between Hyllie, Holma and Kroksbäck, in Malmö, Sweden. An investigation of social and spatial processes outlines the ever changing society and urban space of Malmö within the large context of globalisation, migration and urbanisation. The city has been transformed from an industrial city towards a knowledge society with a focus to become an attractive, environmental friendly city. On the other hand, the city struggles with challenges related to ethnic and cultural diversity, increasing inequalities and a changing political climate. These contradictions are felt in the collective urban life in public space with increasing segregation and exclusion. A prospect to foster an inclusive city is shaped highlighting the process and design aspects of inclusion and a transition towards a ‘participation society’. A development model shows the aspects of an inclusive public space which links public space to a public culture. An inclusive design is developed between Hyllie, Holma and Kroksbäck, with the conceptual reinterpretation of a political metaphor ‘people’s home’. It takes the spatial aspects of a home literally, by creating a modular structure of ‘rooms’ which is continuously in transition. It builds up over time and many people and organisations have to participate. Creating this place in between two fundamentally different areas and social groups is an idealised scenario of the future, where inequality is reduced and perceptions about others are changed. It is a way to imagine a city where people have learned to live with each other. ... Read more

This project proposes a move of the TU Delft to the historical centre as both a further invitation to the public and a way of embedding Delft students and academics in the city itself. In the larger social framework, it is a logical and desirable project to reunite the city and the university. ... Read more

This graduation report studies the facilitating role of the municipality in the urban area development process in the Netherlands. Though this role is often mentioned in articles, it has not been defined due to a gap in literature and a gap in practical knowledge on the subject. This research tries to reduce that gap, by understanding the municipal roles, goals, measures and means to steer urban area development projects better and by conceptualising the facilitating role. This is done by answering the main research question: ‘What does the role of a facilitating municipality in the urban area development process in the Netherlands entail?’. An extensive literature study and a case study with five embedded cases provide valuable information to answer that question. The facilitating role is part of a framework of four municipal roles to steer urban area development projects: shaping plans, regulating markets, stimulating markets and facilitating the process. The facilitating role is supported by three measures: acquiring market information and knowledge, managing market rooted networks and organising the municipal project team. These measures are supported by a set of means and pre-conditions. The facilitating role is about facilitating the process of urban area development and does not mean ‘letting go’, ‘laissez-fair’ or facilitate only market party stakeholders. The facilitating role can be played by the municipality in all phases of the life-cycle of an urban area and regardless of the form of public-private co-operation. ... Read more