This thesis explores how post-growth theory can be applied spatially, using the city of Assen as a case study. It responds to a perceived disconnection between growth objectives present in Dutch planning tradition, such as the latest Nota Ruimte, and the post-growth perspective that questions this continuous population and economic growth. The relevance of shifting towards post-growth spatial planning is supported by a discussion on the limits of growth. It addresses shifting demographic trends, changing social needs and disrupted ecological systems.

To discover how the spatial application of post-growth theory can foster an alternative future for the city of Assen, the Appreciative Inquiry method is applied. Through conversations, walks and historical analysis, local qualities of Assen have been discovered. Those that align with the set post-growth goals are embraced and are further built upon. A speculative travel guide of Assen in 2076 shows what embracing these post-growth qualities could lead to. The concrete design explorations work with what is there already, so that post-growth interventions suit with the character of the city. The travel guide allows readers to experience the post-growth city and imagine what living in it could be like. By doing so, this thesis aims to bridge the gap between post-growth theory and spatial practice, showing that collaborative action towards a post-growth future is both possible and desirable. ... Read more

This thesis develops a systematic, design-led framework to bridge the gap between uncertain technical energy scenarios and specific socio-cultural landscape qualities in the province of Groningen, thereby reducing ‘spatial blindness’ in energy transition thinking. The methodology is structured in three intertwined phases: analysis, spatial mapping, and visual narratives.
The analysis phase utilises the ‘Future energy footprint toolkit’ to deconstruct the energy system into spatially quantified ‘energy tools’. Simultaneously, three national II3050 scenarios (Regional Resilience, National Transition, European Integration) are regionalised to Groningen to define distinct territorial pressures.
In the spatial mapping phase, three distinct explorations, Energy Edges, Energy Clusters, and Offshore Energy, are developed explicitly as spatial hypotheses and extremes in a range of possibilities. This mapping is tested via GIS against landscape constraints, applying the schaal-bij-schaal principle to match intervention scale to specific landscape capacity.
The visual narratives phase systematically tests a set of visual methods, including collages, AI-generated images, and eye-level sketches, to translate these abstract spatial concepts into relatable human-scale experiences and visual arguments.
The research concludes that no single spatial exploration can, on its own, yet meet high ambition targets while preserving landscape quality. Thus, the eventual energy system will probably be a hybrid that combines these spatial extremes. Ultimately, rather than closing the debate on Groningen’s energy future, the framework instead structures a necessary discussion on how technical ambitions, landscape identity, and questions of spatial justice can be brought into one conversation, offering a methodology that is highly transferable to other sustainability transitions. ... Read more

Life in the 21st century moves faster than ever, leading to a society that is increasingly unsustainable for both people and the planet. This thesis proposes a shift toward slowness in the Netherlands by encouraging everyday walking through better spatial planning and design. It explores how planning and design can support both behaviour change and broader social change—by starting with walking.
Using practice theory, walking-based research, and case studies in Heerde and Zwolle, the project rethinks walking in the Netherlands—not just as transport or leisure, but as something deeply personal and part of daily routines. This broader view challenges current strategies that rely mostly on infrastructure, individual nudges, or one-size-fits-all solutions.
The thesis introduces a new way of planning for walking, with clear aims, new methods, and practical tools. It focuses on three goals: 1) encourage walking, 2) sustain walking habits, and 3) create time and space for walking. Methods include walking-based research, using personas and daily routines in design, and imagining better future scenarios. A pattern language is developed, linking eye-level walking experiences and larger-scaled spatial, social and policy interventions.
The project proposes a phased strategy, explored in Heerde and Zwolle: starting with small changes encouraging rethinking daily spaces and habits, creating a foundation of localized, quality spaces and practices supporting walking, restricting fast practices, and finally supporting long-term walking practices, with flexibility, diverse experiences and ever evolving meanings of walking.
All in all, walking is shown to be more than just a slow experience, as promoting it reflects values of Slowness like quality and local connection. This prompts policy-makers, designers and citizens alike to reflect on the values shaping our everyday lives and spaces, recognising how small changes in day-to-day life, such as walking, can contribute to broader societal shifts. Walking thus emerges as a practice, method and a framework for envisioning desirable, sustainable futures rooted in wellbeing. ... Read more

Against the backdrop of ethical-political dilemmas in urban planning, this research project investigates the philosophy of a historically radical yet increasingly canonical ethical-political thinker: Spinoza. The main research question of this project is: how can Spinoza’s ethical-political philosophy inform a theory of urban space and become operationalised for addressing ethical political issues in urban planning? The full extent of Spinoza’s ethical-political works has been mapped structurally, resulting in a cartography of Spinoza’s works. The philosophical concepts in this cartography have been assessed on their prospects for spatialisation, resulting in an estimation regarding the relevance of certain key concepts for urban planning. By examining these concepts through urban theories of agglomeration and the urban land nexus, it has been found that a Spinoza-informed urban theory might take the shape of a model of the city, aimed at mapping ethical-political situations in urban planning. Building on this, it has been found that this model can become instrumentalised as to form an urban planning approach. The action that an urban planner can take by virtue of the profession, through the Spinozist lens, has been determined. Similarly, the aim of urban planning (the planner’s “own agenda”), through the Spinozist lens, has been determined. The model can be used to reveal or ‘map’ ethical-political dilemmatic urban planning situations. Further areas of research could be testing this model further, and relating the findings on Spinoza’s philosophy and to urban planning to similar fields of research in architecture, ecology, economics, or political science. ... Read more

There is a growing distance between humans and their material surroundings. The Oldambt region in North Groningen and its farming culture serves as an example. Despite numerous initiatives to regenerate this area in recent decades, these efforts have struggled to gain footing, due to a lack of connection with the landscape. The region requires a regenerative approach to new developments, with its abandoned farmyards presenting an opportunity. This led to the following research question: How can landscape stewardship contribute to a regenerative farmyard with a tectonic that depends on the regional landscape?
The research investigated three elements—landscape stewardship, tectonic, and the regional landscape—using the method of wandering, as a tool for observation and encounter. The design explored the emergence of a regenerative building culture rooted in the landscape, focusing on how farming as an ecological relationship with the landscape could support this development. The designer developed a set of design principles based on the three elements derived from the research. They can be applied to farmyards in the area. The three elements—regional landscape, landscape stewardship, and tectonic—are interrelated in research and design. The design aims to illustrate the interrelation of these elements in its architecture and their contribution to the regeneration and preservation of the Groninger landscape, encapsulated in the concept of “Het nieuwe Borgen.”

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