In light of rapid urbanisation and the accelerating threats of climate change, scale and multitude are what set the Global North and South apart. Yet, as this course exposes, the issues faced by urban areas have resembling themes and characteristics, regardless of economic status or geographic location. Therefore, in the context of sustainable urban development, the binary dichotomy of the terms ‘Global North’ and ‘Global South’ must be contested. While a focus on Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and the MENA region, Rethink the City attempts to understand the transboundary nature of urban issues and provide a platform to gather insights beyond borders. It is only by learning from other narratives that we can collectively address the complex challenges ahead.@en

Understanding the dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) change in today’s context of rapid urbanization is critical for sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation. Therefore, the research aim is to understand the LULC changes in the Chattogram Metropolitan Area and to assess the policy implications of these changes for sustainable urban development. Through a comparative analysis of LULC maps for two periods (1997–2007; 2007–2017), we investigated the transformation of a detailed planning zone before and after Detailed Area Plan (DAP) approval. Using quantitative data analysis and policy review, we elucidated the impacts of urbanization trends on local ecosystems—specifically the conversion of forest cover and waterscape use. The findings reveal a significant conversion of forested and waterscape areas to urban and peri-urban landscapes, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable planning interventions that focus on these peri-urban areas. The study further critiques the DAP’s effectiveness, revealing a disconnect between regional policy implementation and local outcomes. This research proposes a validated, scalable framework for urban master plans that adapts to the complex socioecological contexts of rapidly urbanizing regions. @en

Urban blue space offers substantial health benefits by encouraging population physical activity. Despite much evidence on the nature-health nexus, the relationship between blue space and recreational exercises remains under-studied, limiting the realisation of health benefits in blue space design. Using crowdsourced data, including volunteered geographic information and street view image data, this study investigates the associations of blue space quality with recreational running and cycling in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Results show that recreational exercise levels on street segments vary based on the blue space type and design. Compared to inland canals and rivers, small-scale recreational waterbodies are more conducive to running but not cycling, while both activities tend to cluster around the Nieuwe Maas River. Interestingly, the Water View Index shows a general negative association with both activities after adjusting for the blue space type. Besides the waterbody characteristics, eye-level environmental factors, including higher Green View Index, lower building density, more diverse land use, greater connected street network and fewer traffic elements, are associated with more running and cycling exercises. Results for visual complexity and neighbourhood population composition are mixed depending on the exercise type. These findings are further translated into spatial design patterns for developing exercise-supportive and health-promoting blue spaces.@en

[Objective] Water could be regarded as a vital element for human existence, which has shaped cities for centuries. Blue spaces, centred around water bodies, play a pivotal role in urban development by delivering various ecosystem services and influencing the design and planning of urban environments. In addition to the numerous benefits and services provided by water, recent research indicates that blue space exposure and perception could also enhance human health and well-being, especially in urban contexts. However, health benefits are often not or implicitly taken into account in design practices. While an increasing number of researchers acknowledge the importance of applying current health evidence to practice, there is currently a lack of specific methodological support to bridge the gap between evidence and actions. Furthermore, given the growing focus on healthy urban living, the demand for the development of healthy cities, and the requirements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing this gap is of utmost importance at present. Based on the analysis and synthesis of existing evidence, this research aims to propose a conceptual framework that links the health benefits derived from blue space exposure and perception with spatial design practices. The framework attempts to address the current gap and encourage ongoing exploration in future research and practice. [Methods] This research first searches relevant publications on blue space and human health included in the Web of Science Core Collection and Google Scholar during the past five years, and selects the representative ones for detailed analysis and summary. Based on the analysis results, the key pathways linking blue space exposure and perception with human health are identified. Next, a tailored methodological, conceptual framework linking health evidence and design practices is proposed according to the frameworks and evidence in existing studies. Meanwhile, the results of the literature analysis and several Rotterdam cases at different scales are used to demonstrate the application of the framework and illustrate its feasibility.

[Results] Based on the results of the literature analysis, three main blue space exposure and perception types are summarized, including indirect perception and exposure, accidental perception and exposure, and intentional perception and exposure. Next, four main pathways linking the exposure to or perception of blue space and human health are identified and briefly discussed, including enhancing physical activities, reducing harmful exposure, benefiting psychological outcomes, and promoting social interactions. Subsequently, a four-step conceptual framework that translates the health evidence into practical design knowledge is proposed. The steps comprise extracting critical health evidence, summarizing key design concepts, categorizing core design elements, and translating into design principles, spatial patterns, and evaluation methods. At first, the research extracts key evidence from 57 representative literature. And then, the research summarizes 42 key design concepts. Next, through an analysis of the similarities and differences between the design concepts, five core design elements are identified, including the quantity, accessibility, visibility, spatial quality, and design process of blue space. […]@en

Rethink the City supports the co-production of knowledge through collaborative efforts of the global community. Its ambition to broaden the academic study of urban challenges to underrepresented geographies is reflected in its form: A free, online course inclusive to all, regardless of location or background. However, despite its benefits, online education has evident setbacks. This chapter seeks to shine a light on various issues faced by this unconventional academic curriculum and what kind of measures were taken to overcome them. @en

COVID-19 has made working from home routine for many. People who have had to maintain their productivity, particularly in physically and/or socially unacceptable home-working situations, experienced one of the pandemic’s disadvantages. The experience can vary substantially among individuals as well as by country. This study presents the results of a comparative study of the Netherlands and Korea. Working from home was not uncommon in the Netherlands before the pandemic; however, in Korea, employers adopted working from home from its start, and that increased rapidly. An online survey enabled us to compare the physical and social conditions of current home workspaces in both countries, to understand how well-equipped they were to support people who had to work from home. We studied the changes in productivity and physical/mental health before and during COVID-19, to learn how people coped with working from home in both countries. Contrary to expectations, Koreans showed better scores than people in the Netherlands, in terms of changes in health and productivity. This article discusses various aspects of that result, such as satisfaction with home workspace, housing type, job position and prior experience, compulsoriness, and frequency of working from home. Relieving stress and concentration appeared to be the most important dimensions of telecommuters’ satisfaction with working from home environments in both countries. The results are the basis for suggesting the development of strategies for a desirable WFH environment, considering different background contexts, experiences and cultures.@en

This blog post delves into ‘Imprints of Contestation’, the powerful art expressions within urban spaces that challenge systemic injustices. By exploring the dual nature of this art as a catalyst for change and its susceptibility to commodification, the post invites you to reflect on the transformative potential of urban creativity.@en

In Brussels (Belgium), as in other parts of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated and legitimated changes in planning policy and regulation. The ongoing reform of Brussels’ regional planning regulations has been reframed as the ‘good living’ plan and has high ambitions to improve everyday quality of life, notably by setting more flexible rules for new developments. Despite long-lasting citizen engagement in planning processes, Brussels’ aspirations to improve its inhabitants’ quality of life have faced several spatial and institutional challenges. The Belgian capital hosts the European Commission and international and administrative office districts as well as industrial areas. Housing and public space quality are very contrasted between Brussels' south-eastern, high-priced neighbourhoods and the former industrial zone along the canal. Furthermore, its planning framework has suffered from institutional fragmentation, conflicting government agencies, politicised planning and strong market intervention. In this reflection paper, we discuss the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on planning instruments aimed at everyday quality of life through analysis of Brussels’ planning regulation reform, based on documentan alysis and semi-structured interviews conducted with actors of Brussels’ planning system. Beyond emphasising outdoor space, the revision proposal aims to improve housing quality through health and flexibility and sets criteria for density, mixed-use, green space…that relate to the 15’- city principles. Covid-19 may be an opportunity to reduce the gap towards ‘good living’ in Brussels and make us more resilient the next time we face a major health crisis. Setting and consolidating policy goals is one thing, making sure to implement them without excluding vulnerable groups is another one.@en

Based on the understanding of the built environment as result of competing claims on space that must be resolved via recognition, fair distribution of burdens and benefits of our human association, respect and care for the planet and just procedures to decide on those claims, Spatial Planning and Strategy is a chair in the Department of Urbanism within the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment of the Delft University of Technology, committed to helping create sustainability, resilience and spatial justice through the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, the Paris Climate Agreement and the European New Deal, among other frameworks. This commitment is reflected in activities, events, and courses. We are concerned with knowledge about the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of strategic and urban planning tools – visions, strategies, plans and programmes.@en

Existing studies indicate that a direct view of aquatic elements benefits well-being, and houses with blue views are often associated with higher prices. Therefore, developing analysis and design methods for visibility research of blue spaces are crucial to advance spatial design practice. Especially digital methods for analysing blue visibility and their potential in design still need to be identified and explored. This study explores the application potential of some powerful digital visibility analysis methods for blue space design. Specifically, this research first provides an overview of poten- tial methods for analysing the visibility of water. Next, two practical design-oriented digital methods are briefly elaborated and illustrated by cases in Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Meanwhile, the study explores how the analysis results support spatial design practice. Last, the study discusses the potential of integrating blue visibility analysis methods into the iterative design process and makes prospects for future research.@en

At the dawn of International Women’s Day, I want to highlight the importance of feminist solidarity and the need to amplify the voices of these women who have been at the forefront of local organisations and planning in their communities. Too often, these women have been overlooked in the writing of (planning and design) history. By celebrating their contributions, we honour their work and challenge dominant narratives that perpetuate the erasure of women’s experiences and perspectives.@en

Water, a vital element of human existence, shapes cities and benefits human health through daily exposure. This study delves into advanced digital methods to describe blue space exposure effectively, aiming to optimise spatial accessibility and visibility of water for designing sustainable healthy urban environments. Rotterdam is utilised as a test case, demonstrating the role of these methods in evaluating the performance of blue space exposure in urban environments, specifically in terms of spatial morphology and physical characteristics. Eight distinct methods are discussed, addressing exposure type, scale levels, and design interactions, subsequently offering a novel flowchart for their integration into cross-scale spatial design and policymaking. The findings underscore the need to select appropriate methods to analyse and optimise blue exposure in spatial planning or design assignments. The selection should be based on design intentions and data availability. The biggest potential is found in combining these methods to handle the complexity of urban issues. The research reveals the importance of blue space accessibility and visibility in promoting sustainable healthy urban environments while also emphasising the need to go beyond them, factoring in the quality, function, and usage of blue spaces.
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Following Cambodia's independence from France, the country became a hub for progressive ideas in architecture during the 1950s and 1960s, a period of peace and prosperity as described by Ross (2015). This era, driven by Prince Norodom Sihanouk's Sangkum regime, was marked by a blend of national pride and unity. The symbiotic relationship between Sihanouk and architect Molyvann was pivotal, leading to significant advancements in architectural design and urban planning. Their collaboration drew inspiration from Cambodia's heroic history and ancient Khmer architecture. This paper focuses on two aspects: the influence of utopian thinking on Cambodian architecture and urban planning during the Sangkum era; and architect Molyvann's societal role in modernising Cambodia. Molyvann's work, a fusion of European modernist and traditional Cambodian elements, was possible due to the era's stability. This study underscores the importance of utopian ideals in shaping society and highlights Molyvann's architectural contributions in envisioning a just and sustainable future.@en

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Work from home (WFH) received much public attention. Imposing such a measure was feasible in the context of labour markets’ flexibilisation, which has reshaped urban live-work relationships. However, the pandemic’s effects on those relationships have rarely been explored in housing and planning studies. This paper draws a research agenda based on a literature review of the changes in urban live-work relationships, which were accelerated and legitimised under COVID-19. The latter is considered an exogenous shock contingent upon several other shocks, embedded in structural crises and accelerating ongoing trends. The literature confirms the acceleration of hybrid work for those able to do so, which has fuelled debates on home usage and legitimated planning discourses based on urban proximity, densification and mixed use. Hence, we encourage critical research on (i) the conceptualisations of WFH and COVID-19, (ii) housing policy responses to accumulated uncertainties and regulations for quality and resilient housing, and (iii) the critical analysis of WFH-oriented planning.

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The sudden adoption of working from home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic has required the reconfiguration of home spaces to fit space for remote work into existing spaces already filled with other domestic functions. This resulted in blurring of home and work boundaries, the potential lack of space for telecommuting from home, and telecommuters’ feelings of crowding. Numerous studies have shown the negative effects of crowding feelings on workers’ responses. This study focused on the issue of crowding in the residential workspace. An online survey was conducted to investigate how features of the home workspace correlate with telecommuters’ feelings of crowding and how these feelings affect satisfaction, health, and productivity. As a result, we found that various environmental features of home workspaces (e.g., house size, purpose of workspace, accessible balcony, lighting, noise, etc.), as well as psychological aspects (e.g., individual control over space use), had significant effects on telecommuters’ feelings of crowdedness. It was also found that feelings of crowding in the WFH environment can directly and indirectly affect teleworkers’ satisfaction with work environments, well-being, and work performance. Based on the results, we offered various potential ways to alleviate overcrowding issues in the WFH context.@en

Studies suggest that communities with greater social and economic capital are better equipped to deal with crises such as the covid-19 pandemic (Kiruthu, 2014; Pitas & Ehmer, 2020). Although social, economic, and cultural capital influence the impact on a community during a pandemic, it is spatial capital that anchors the community to a physical space. Depending on access, ownership and control of physical space, spatial capital becomes an enabler or a discriminator. It plays a critical role in creating, sustaining and shaping spatial inequalities. However, spatial capital has been scarcely studied in urban planning and even less so in terms of its operationality in research and practice.

Through this study, we redefine spatial capital and propose a novel operational framework - AURA - to measure the ability of different groups to Access, Utilize, (right to) Refuse and Adapt the spatial capital. The framework is used to understand how spatial capital has affected varied communities’ abilities to endure the impact of the pandemic by examining the scale, typology and user relationships of various spaces before, during and after the covid-19 pandemic.

Methodologically, the paper will review existing theory arriving at initial framework indicators to analyse the forms, roles and attributes of spatial capital on a neighbourhood scale. We will then conduct a comparative analysis of case studies in selected neighbourhoods in Mumbai, India and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The case study research will consist of a grounded approach and multi-perspective analysis to examine spaces of various scales, ownership and functions to understand how groups generate, use and engage with spatial capital. The inferences and lessons from the case studies will further help modify, upgrade and develop the analytical framework as a tool for broader use. The further stages of work include identifying weak spots in the neighbourhoods and formulating evidence-based spatial suggestions that contribute to making healthier cities for all.

As observed globally during the ongoing pandemic, the already marginalised and vulnerable communities have suffered the greatest negative impact, bringing a renewed interest in the issues of spatial and social justice. By bringing evidence from the most vulnerable neighbourhoods of two diverse contexts, we add an empirical perspective to the evolving knowledge of spatial capital. We hope the framework can serve as an analytical and decision-making tool for contexts beyond the two countries to help reduce spatial inequality and contribute to ongoing efforts towards just and equitable cities.@en

The Summer School Planning & Design for the Just City takes place every July at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment (Bouwkunde) of the Delft University of Technology. The school is organised by the Centre for the Just City. It is a partnership between Bouwkunde and the Faculty of Technology Policy and Management of the TU Delft. The school is supported by the Department of Urbanism of the TU Delft, Delft Global Initiative, the Delft Design for Values Institute and the MOOC Rethink the City. For more information visit https://summerschooltudelft.org@en

Water is a critical element of human existence and has shaped cities for centuries. In urban environments, water provides multiple ecosystem services and is an important element in the design of urban environments. Next to the many qualities and services provided by water, recent research indicates that exposure to freshwater blue space also enhances human health and wellbeing. However, health benefits are often not or implicitly taken into account in the design perspective. This research aims to provide a systematic overview of the available body of knowledge regarding the relationship between freshwater blue space, health, and design. This study first proposes a bi-directional conceptual framework connecting health evidence with design practice. And then, scientometric analysis is employed to review 1338 research articles on freshwater blue-health research. The results show that the number of articles in this area is increasing yearly, attracting more and more disciplines and stimulating interdisciplinary collaboration. Freshwater blue-health research is broadening to emphasize usage and experience, psychological advantages, and particular demographics, which provides a solid basis for future design research. At the same time, it becomes clear that there is a strong demand to develop adaptive design knowledge that integrates the available health evidence and operationalizes it in healthy freshwater blue space design. This paper could help researchers understand the current research progress and future research directions, as well as facilitate multiple applications of health evidence by practitioners.

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