A.L. Nillesen
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3 records found
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Infrastructuring ecology
Landscape-based strategies for the restoration of the water cycle in the riverscapes of Cuenca
For at least seven centuries, the inhabitants of the Tomebamba Valley have found opportunities to prosper by making the most of a bountiful natural water infrastructure, comprising an extensive network of rivers, numerous lakes and vast expanses of paramo ecosystems and rainforests. This natural system has played a decisive role in the history of this region and has ultimately enabled the emergence of a city that remains, to this day, intimately linked to the rivers that flow through it.
However, from the 20th century onwards, the arrival in the region of the wave of modernism that was spreading across the world triggered a series of increasingly profound transformations to this system, in response to the adoption of modern lifestyles by its inhabitants and the consequent need to integrate the rivers even further into the city’s metabolism. The interplay of these landscape transformations and infrastructural developments established a model of extraction in the form of a unidirectional system, in which the assurance of a constant flow of resources and benefits drawn from this natural system for the normal course of daily life in the city comes at the expense of its ecological integrity.
Within this context, this project examines the impact of practices that appear to be inherent to the current conception of an Andean riverscape in this region and, taking the restoration of the global water cycle as its starting point, explores how the intersection of engineering and ecology can shape the landscape to enable a model in which there is room for both the harnessing of this natural system and its future integrity.
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However, from the 20th century onwards, the arrival in the region of the wave of modernism that was spreading across the world triggered a series of increasingly profound transformations to this system, in response to the adoption of modern lifestyles by its inhabitants and the consequent need to integrate the rivers even further into the city’s metabolism. The interplay of these landscape transformations and infrastructural developments established a model of extraction in the form of a unidirectional system, in which the assurance of a constant flow of resources and benefits drawn from this natural system for the normal course of daily life in the city comes at the expense of its ecological integrity.
Within this context, this project examines the impact of practices that appear to be inherent to the current conception of an Andean riverscape in this region and, taking the restoration of the global water cycle as its starting point, explores how the intersection of engineering and ecology can shape the landscape to enable a model in which there is room for both the harnessing of this natural system and its future integrity.
...
For at least seven centuries, the inhabitants of the Tomebamba Valley have found opportunities to prosper by making the most of a bountiful natural water infrastructure, comprising an extensive network of rivers, numerous lakes and vast expanses of paramo ecosystems and rainforests. This natural system has played a decisive role in the history of this region and has ultimately enabled the emergence of a city that remains, to this day, intimately linked to the rivers that flow through it.
However, from the 20th century onwards, the arrival in the region of the wave of modernism that was spreading across the world triggered a series of increasingly profound transformations to this system, in response to the adoption of modern lifestyles by its inhabitants and the consequent need to integrate the rivers even further into the city’s metabolism. The interplay of these landscape transformations and infrastructural developments established a model of extraction in the form of a unidirectional system, in which the assurance of a constant flow of resources and benefits drawn from this natural system for the normal course of daily life in the city comes at the expense of its ecological integrity.
Within this context, this project examines the impact of practices that appear to be inherent to the current conception of an Andean riverscape in this region and, taking the restoration of the global water cycle as its starting point, explores how the intersection of engineering and ecology can shape the landscape to enable a model in which there is room for both the harnessing of this natural system and its future integrity.
However, from the 20th century onwards, the arrival in the region of the wave of modernism that was spreading across the world triggered a series of increasingly profound transformations to this system, in response to the adoption of modern lifestyles by its inhabitants and the consequent need to integrate the rivers even further into the city’s metabolism. The interplay of these landscape transformations and infrastructural developments established a model of extraction in the form of a unidirectional system, in which the assurance of a constant flow of resources and benefits drawn from this natural system for the normal course of daily life in the city comes at the expense of its ecological integrity.
Within this context, this project examines the impact of practices that appear to be inherent to the current conception of an Andean riverscape in this region and, taking the restoration of the global water cycle as its starting point, explores how the intersection of engineering and ecology can shape the landscape to enable a model in which there is room for both the harnessing of this natural system and its future integrity.
Density in Historic Centres
A case study of the Hanseatic cities
Within the rising national housing demand, national policies are shifting their focus in urban development strategies towards regional cities, including the historic Hanseatic cities. These cities are unique in identity and character and have many qualities that can inspire future developments in these areas. This thesis aims to find a balance between the preservation of the cultural-historical identity of these cities and accommodating urban growth. This thesis proposes a catalogue for implementing various densification methods in sensitive areas with a strong, unique historic identity. The densification methods focus on small-scale interventions, including infill development, splitting buildings and plots, and roof stacking. These densification methods are combined with the target groups, the starters and the elderly. Using Elburg and Doesburg as case studies allows for testing and evaluating different design interventions. Both cities have three similar sub-areas that differ in identity and qualities. The three sub-areas are: 1) the historic centre, 2) the neighbourhood expansion, and 3) the port or industrial area. By integrating the spatial characteristics with the cultural and social characteristics in the design evaluation criteria of the sub-areas, the design interventions are tested and evaluated. Even though the evaluation criteria are site-specific, the approach to these areas can be translated to similar sensitive historic centres. The design outcome discusses how densifying these historic centres can contribute to reducing the pressure on the national housing demand.
...
Within the rising national housing demand, national policies are shifting their focus in urban development strategies towards regional cities, including the historic Hanseatic cities. These cities are unique in identity and character and have many qualities that can inspire future developments in these areas. This thesis aims to find a balance between the preservation of the cultural-historical identity of these cities and accommodating urban growth. This thesis proposes a catalogue for implementing various densification methods in sensitive areas with a strong, unique historic identity. The densification methods focus on small-scale interventions, including infill development, splitting buildings and plots, and roof stacking. These densification methods are combined with the target groups, the starters and the elderly. Using Elburg and Doesburg as case studies allows for testing and evaluating different design interventions. Both cities have three similar sub-areas that differ in identity and qualities. The three sub-areas are: 1) the historic centre, 2) the neighbourhood expansion, and 3) the port or industrial area. By integrating the spatial characteristics with the cultural and social characteristics in the design evaluation criteria of the sub-areas, the design interventions are tested and evaluated. Even though the evaluation criteria are site-specific, the approach to these areas can be translated to similar sensitive historic centres. The design outcome discusses how densifying these historic centres can contribute to reducing the pressure on the national housing demand.
Reviving A Dying Delta
Cultivating Human and More-Than-Human Synergy in the Indus Delta through Networks of Care
This thesis investigates the socio-ecological degradation of the Indus Delta – particularly its mangrove ecosystems – caused by upstream freshwater loss, coastal urbanization, and extractive economic activity. Situated at the intersection of the Karachi metropolis and the agricultural landscapes of Sindh, the project combines research and design to examine and reimagine the interdependencies between communities, ecologies, and governance systems. Drawing on field observations, informal interviews, critical mapping, and systemic analysis, the study traces both localized practices and broader structural forces that shape the delta.
The research culminates in a spatial strategy structured around three networks of care: preservation, production, and recreation. These interlinked strategies aim to restore ecological balance, support adaptive livelihoods, and build synergies between human and more-than-human actors. Envisioning a gradual inland-to-sea transition in land uses that respond to salinity, biodiversity, and socio-economic needs, the project offers a replicable model for climate-adaptive coastal urbanism rooted in situated knowledge, collaboration and care. ...
The research culminates in a spatial strategy structured around three networks of care: preservation, production, and recreation. These interlinked strategies aim to restore ecological balance, support adaptive livelihoods, and build synergies between human and more-than-human actors. Envisioning a gradual inland-to-sea transition in land uses that respond to salinity, biodiversity, and socio-economic needs, the project offers a replicable model for climate-adaptive coastal urbanism rooted in situated knowledge, collaboration and care. ...
This thesis investigates the socio-ecological degradation of the Indus Delta – particularly its mangrove ecosystems – caused by upstream freshwater loss, coastal urbanization, and extractive economic activity. Situated at the intersection of the Karachi metropolis and the agricultural landscapes of Sindh, the project combines research and design to examine and reimagine the interdependencies between communities, ecologies, and governance systems. Drawing on field observations, informal interviews, critical mapping, and systemic analysis, the study traces both localized practices and broader structural forces that shape the delta.
The research culminates in a spatial strategy structured around three networks of care: preservation, production, and recreation. These interlinked strategies aim to restore ecological balance, support adaptive livelihoods, and build synergies between human and more-than-human actors. Envisioning a gradual inland-to-sea transition in land uses that respond to salinity, biodiversity, and socio-economic needs, the project offers a replicable model for climate-adaptive coastal urbanism rooted in situated knowledge, collaboration and care.
The research culminates in a spatial strategy structured around three networks of care: preservation, production, and recreation. These interlinked strategies aim to restore ecological balance, support adaptive livelihoods, and build synergies between human and more-than-human actors. Envisioning a gradual inland-to-sea transition in land uses that respond to salinity, biodiversity, and socio-economic needs, the project offers a replicable model for climate-adaptive coastal urbanism rooted in situated knowledge, collaboration and care.