Cities for Families of Tomorrow aims to create a family-friendly neighbourhood in Lombardijen by addressing parents’ concerns about social and traffic safety, thereby enhancing children's independent mobility, crucial for a healthy lifestyle. The study focuses on establishing a child-friendly network for 7 to 12-year-olds, facilitating safe, independent travel and meeting their developmental needs.
Children’s free movement has been declining over generations, with urban spaces becoming increasingly unsafe in parents’ perception, leading to overprotection and reduced independent mobility. Consequently, overprotected children face a higher risk of traffic accidents later in life. The research question is: "How can a child-friendly network support the needs of a family-friendly city, allowing 7-12 year-olds to travel independently and safely?"
By exploring families' needs, the characteristics of a child-friendly network, and its implementation in Lombardijen, the research provides answers. A multi-method approach is used, combining literature review, spatial analysis, design research, interviews and a workshop with mothers, as well as children's input through booklets and a walking workshop.
The study identifies seven key themes for a family-friendly neighbourhood: safety, inclusive public spaces, a playful and mobile city, proximity to essential facilities, social cohesion, and learning experiences. Safe, engaging routes and inviting neighbourhood streets are crucial for promoting children's independent mobility and enhancing overall community safety and cohesion.
... Read more

‘Down to Earth’ proposes regenerative soil as the foundation of an innovative bio-based region in South Holland, that connects society and economy on all scales while restoring ecological systems. Agricultural Practices that have heavily relied on tilling and the heavy use of chemical fertilizers has reduced the quality of the topsoil compromising both food security and the carbon sequestration capacity of the soil. Additionally, Industries along the port of Rotterdam that is heavily dependent on fossil fuel have polluted the land it is based on and emitted large amounts of carbon. The most powerful technology we have at hand to draw down this carbon load is healthy soil that can support plant life and micro-organisms naturally.

The strategy proposed in this report focuses on retaining the economic prosperity of South Holland while remediating the soil that supports it. Based on an understanding of the current land uses in South Holland and the level of disruption it causes to the natural systems within the soil, the region has been abstracted into pixels. Each spatial type would have a specific intervention that focuses on keeping the soil in it open and alive.

These interventions are further strengthened by creating links that support the exchange of biodegradable material and clean energy between stakeholders. This would serve as an additional economic incentive to support the pressing need to mitigate environmental damage. The guiding principles that make this transition possible include renewable energy generation, eco-sensitive development, nature-based solutions, valorization of biodegradable waste, and using policies to change consumer patterns and reformulate development trends. The proposal, along with the layers of soil data that support it is a case of why soil remediation through bio-based economic activity is vital to sustainable growth and a vision of what development within planetary boundaries would include.
... Read more