Challenges such as urbanization and climate change effect our urban environments. There is an urge to deal with these challenges and develop climate resilient cities. The natural environment is able to adapt to changing circumstances and creating a city as part of nature could contribute to resilience. The city of Rotterdam has lost its connection with nature as the city expanded over the years. As a result, the ecological values of the city environments are low, as well as the awareness among citizens on the values and importance of nature. By conducting spatial research, this thesis aims to create an evidence informed design strategy for (a certain location within) Rotterdam in which this city is part of nature, using the following research question to guide the project: “How could the citizens of Rotterdam be reconnected to nature, while improving the urban ecosystems, creating a resilient city?” Three key topics were identified to address the whole scope of a nature inclusive city. Each of the three topics consists of a few criteria, which were defined using literature, that contribute to the research aim. First, the ecological perspective focusses on the natural systems of the landscape. Creating ecological connectivity and increasing the biodiversity and amount of open green space help to strengthen the urban ecosystems. Secondly, the human perspective consists of creating a connection, both physically and mentally, with nature in order to make it a part of daily urban life. This includes integrating green in the urban environments and making it accessible for residents in order to improve the quality of life. Thirdly, the climate perspective focusses on tackling issues such as water nuisance, Urban Heat Island effect and risk of flooding to develop a climate resilient city. Making the city part of nature means dealing with these issues in order to develop a climate resilient city. Using a case study, the urban centre of Rotterdam, research is done on possible interventions to create this nature inclusive city. Using the pattern language approach, all three perspectives are strongly integrated with each other in the design typologies (patterns) which are explained in the pattern atlas and tested on the site. This has resulted in a strategy that consists of a stakeholder analysis and phasing for a specific route, from front door to river, in which is explained how on local scale the city could be transformed into part of nature. The different components of the route: street, boulevard and waterfront, are highlighted using the patterns as design interventions. Furthermore, this is complemented with an exploration on how to implement the concept within the whole city and even region of Rotterdam. This research shows how, considering the urban ecology, human connection and climate resilience, the quality of life for all living things in Rotterdam could be improved.

The changing climate pressures the resilience of cities and nature all over the world, putting the position of historically valuable urban and natural environments at risk. The province of South-Holland has economically evolved around the unique triple delta landscape. In order to keep its economically competitive position and take environmental responsibility, the province aims to be circular by 2050. However, the province is facing a number of environmental challenges, such as salinization, soil subsidence and the risk of flooding, that are further aggravated by the intensification of land use and climate change. At the same time, however, the region faces an enormous housing demand. Therefore, this strategic vision was created with the aim to propose a way to answer the high demand for space in South-Holland while preserving the delta environment. Three themes were identified as key drivers to reach the use of adaptive delta water management, the transformation to sponge cities and a shift towards water circularity were identified as key drivers. Implementing interventions along these themes will preserve and redefine both the natural and the urban environment. This strategic vision provides the roadmap towards a circular delta environment in 2050. This vision involves the transformation of export-oriented agricultural land into wetland area, the densification and expansion of urban areas and a shift towards a biobased port. The strategic pathway towards 2050 starts by involving a wide range of stakeholders. Water boards were identified as a fundamental partner. Besides, local stakeholders, such as farmers and citizens, are empowered in order to secure social justice and to increase impact. The interventions are then being implemented in collaboration with these stakeholders. Pilot projects are the first step of implementation, after which the interventions are being implemented on a larger scale. The main interventions are: implementing wetlands and blue-green networks, implementing a separated water system and water retaining structures within urban areas, executing urban development projects and the development of a blue-green hydrogen network. Finally, these implemented interventions are connected to create a circular system. Based on this projects the main recommendations to foster the shift towards circular water flows are: the implementation of a separated water system as an aspect in the shift towards sponge cities, the implementation of large scale wetland areas that are connected to the water system and finally the implementation of water reuse technologies within the port, greenports and agriculture.