The Wadden Sea is an intertidal system that stretches from the Dutch northern coast to the western coast of Denmark, all alongside the North Sea. The Wadden Sea and its islands are under pressure of climate change and face accelerated rising sea levels, threatening its islands and communities, while current policies often overlook their cultural and livelihood needs. In this study, through a research by design approach, the following question will be looked into: what are the characteristics of a spatial design methodology in which the longue durée is at the base of projecting a climate resilient future for small islands in the Wadden Sea? The theory of longue durée will be used to define the long-term changes and their influence on human behaviour. Influenced by Deltares, three solution directions (protect, seaward and move) are explored and expanded onto the Wadden Sea, to create a preferred alternative solution direction in which more human adaptation is envisioned. This translates to spatial interventions for three island typologies (salt marsh, polder and dune islands) that have been distinct during the research by design process. The preferred solution direction, Islands in Motion, emphasises the notion that people should stop manipulating water and land, and adapt more to it, just like nature does. This solution direction combines adaptive strategies tailored to each island typology, balancing preservation of cultural heritage while stressing the need for people to adapt to the dynamics and longue durée of the Wadden Sea. ... Read more

Heijplaat village, completely encircled by the Waal/Eemhaven in Rotterdam South, is categorized by the municipality as a “very safe neighbourhood.” This graduation project problematizes such evaluation under the same safety index as all other neighbourhoods in Rotterdam, despite its one and only geographical specificity.

Safety is a complex yet crucial aspect in the discussion of building social sustainability. Notably, the Rotterdam municipality launched a new safety initiative (“Veiligheidkoers”) in 2022 to make the whole city, including the port, more resilient. Traditionally, the port and the neighbourhood have been approached as separate entities with distinct natures and expertise. However, as the leading contributor to the delta and the water-related dialogues globally, discussion of the port-city interface is critical and immediate in the Netherlands, especially because the impact of what the port brings to the city, and even more significantly, what the port brings to the people, is transboundary. In this sense, the case of Heijplaat-Waal/Eemhaven presents a unique classification of “port-nested-village,” calling for a specialized and nuanced approach to reframe the notion of safety in the port-city interface. ... Read more

Freshwater scarcity in the IJsselmeer Region is intensifying due to the dual pressures of climate change and socio-economic development. Rising temperatures, salinisation, and increased water demand have exposed the limitations of the current water system. This research addresses the urgent need for adaptive spatial planning by developing a Dynamic Spatial Adaptive Pathway (DSAP) methodology to expand freshwater buffer capacity through water circularity. The approach combines regional planning frameworks with design-based spatial strategies and consists of six steps, grouped under four phases: system framing, vision learning, decision supporting, and strategy implementing. The methodology is applied to the Northwest Overijssel region, a key transitional area facing both ecological sensitivity and human water demands. By integrating scenarios based on Delta planning and water policy, the study identifies spatial typologies and sectoral tipping points, enabling phased design
responses across different future trajectories. This adaptive approach bridges policy and design, allowing for the monitoring of system changes and timely responses through spatial interventions. The methodology not only responds to uncertainties in water supply but also enables co-benefits for ecological quality and long-term resilience. Through a combination
of scenario planning, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive design, this research offers a replicable planning framework for other regions within the Dutch Delta context and provides strategic insight for linking high-level water policy with grounded spatial implementation. ... Read more

Dit onderzoek richt zich op de ontwikkeling van een integrale ruimtelijke strategie voor bouwen en wonen op veengronden in Nederland, als antwoord op de woningcrisis en de gevolgen van klimaatverandering. Een amfibische woonvorm van wonen op palen wordt onderzocht, waarmee verschillende grondwaterstanden in het gebied mogelijk worden als uitgangspunt voor ruimtelijke inrichting. De strategie is uitgewerkt op drie schaalniveaus: stedenbouwkundig, cluster- en woningniveau, en onderzoekt hoe bouwen op veen mogelijk wordt gemaakt door middel van lichte, flexibele bouwmethoden, innovatieve funderingstechnieken en adaptief waterbeheer. Hierbij speelt het APSSI-systeem (Aquifer Pressured SubSoil Infiltration) een centrale rol in het reguleren van waterstanden en het tegengaan van bodemdaling. Het onderzoek combineert ecologische, technische en maatschappelijke inzichten tot een toekomstvisie waarin water en bodem sturend zijn voor de inrichting van het land, in lijn met de uitgangspunten van het Nationaal Deltaprogramma 2025. Hiermee wordt een nieuwe amfibische cultuur voorgesteld waarin wonen op veen niet langer uitzondering, maar norm kan worden. ... Read more

Vulnerable neighborhoods in the Netherlands face mounting challenges from climate change and land subsidence, threatening both infrastructure stability and residents' quality of life. Despite the urgent need for adaptation, financial stakeholders encounter persistent barriers: residents often lack the means to act, local governments face budgetary constraints, and private investors hesitate due to high perceived risks or insufficient return potential.
This research seeks to address the main question: "What are the systemic barriers faced by financial stakeholders in implementing climate adaptation measures in vulnerable neighborhoods in Dutch Cities, and how can these barriers be addressed?” To answer the research question, this thesis focuses on financial stakeholders, such as housing associations, government agencies, banks, insurers, and developers and their role in enabling or blocking climate adaptation. Using the Bloemhof neighborhood in Rotterdam as a case study, the research combines qualitative methods with a design-based approach. Bloemhof is a historically layered, socio-economically vulnerable area with severe environment-related challenges. Three alternative spatial development approaches are explored to envision climate adaptation in practice: (1) selected demolition and reconstruction, (2) modest renewal, and (3) integrated redevelopment. To test these alternatives and uncover systemic barriers, a series of interviews, a design-based session, and expert panels were conducted with financial and other related stakeholders. The findings reveal three interrelated barriers to collective adaptation: (1) at system level, national coordination is lacking, and no problem owner has been appointed to lead long-term adaptation efforts. (2) at the neighborhood level, fragmented ownership and the absence of integrated financing arrangements prevent collective action. Public and private stakeholders lack mechanisms to share the costs and benefits of adaptation. (3) at the stakeholder level, narrow mandates and institutional logics tend to reproduce the status quo, where no actor feels responsible for taking the first move. The findings of this study contribute to the debate on climate-resilient (re)development and offers recommendations for governance arrangements that support adaptation in vulnerable neighborhoods ... Read more

The Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the Lake District of Northern Patagonia, Argentina, is well known for its tourism industry all year round. After COVID-19, the area saw a significant increase in the number of tourists traveling to the area. This means that the lake located in the heart of the district, Lago Nahuel Huapi, is being used more and more to explore the environmental richness of the area by boat. Now, the capacity of mooring spaces is no longer sufficient in the region, resulting in the construction of illegal private docks along the shore. To reduce this impact on the environment the authorities granted in 2024 a concession to develop one of the last not yet commercialized marina’s in the region: the marina in Bahía López.

This report provides a consult for the concessionaire of this development. The process begins with a research phase, consisting of an area study, and the mapping of environmental and hydrodynamic constraints. Subsequently, stakeholders are categorized, as the development of a marina in a national park entails complex regulations from multiple organizations. The outcomes of the research phase are translated into specific functional requirements for the marina. These functional requirements are the basis for the next phase, the design phase. This phase begins with the formulation of a design vision statement, formulating the project response to local conditions. Based on this, three different conceptual designs with various technical solutions are developed. Through a multi-criteria analysis, the concepts are tested on their robustness in order to chose a final concept. This concept is then elaborated into a preliminary design. Presenting an overview of the marina’s facilities, including structural designs, operational needs, and capital costs. Finally, suggestions for future development
are provided, outlining the next steps to advance the marina to a next phase.
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The post-mining transition presents a critical challenge in regions where resource extraction has historically shaped local economies and landscapes. This study explores the applicability of water harvesting and conservation techniques in the Phalaborwa region of South Africa, with a focus on fostering post-mining agricultural development. Through a multi-scalar analysis incorporating geographic and environmental assessments, we evaluate the potential of various water harvesting & conservation strategies to support sustainable land use transformation. Our findings highlight the opportunities and constraints associated with implementing these techniques in a post-mining context, emphasizing the role of integrated water harvesting & conservation strategies in enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental resilience. The study contributes to the broader MineLives project by aligning with its objective of developing viable socio-ecological strategies for post-mining landscapes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and local stakeholders seeking to revitalize the region’s agricultural potential. ... Read more

Climate change and rising sea levels pose significant challenges for coastal cities like Rotterdam. My graduation project, Living with Water, explores how architecture can contribute to water-resilient living environments while enriching the human experience of water. The project focuses on the Merwehaven, a transformation area outside the dike, which faces a high risk of flooding but also presents opportunities to strengthen Rotterdam’s connection with its harbour and water.
The central research question asks: “How can architecture accommodate rising sea levels, ensuring human experience and sustainability in the context of the harbour of Rotterdam?” By integrating floating and amphibious housing typologies, sustainable materials, and innovative construction techniques, the project proposes a residential building that strengthens its connection to water. Additional functions—such as community centres, exhibition spaces, and educational facilities—enhance the area’s social and cultural value.
The research consists of two key elements: exploring how architecture can influence human perception and emotional engagement with water and examining the technical possibilities of building with water. Through case study analysis and a multisensory design framework, the project highlights water’s impact on sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. The findings show that integrating water-sensitive design principles can enhance the resilience and livability of port cities.
This project contributes to the broader discourse on climate-adaptive architecture, offering a prototype that balances technical innovation with social and ecological awareness. It serves as a model for other coastal cities worldwide, demonstrating how water-resilient architecture can create sustainable, vibrant urban environments.
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The municipality of Amsterdam is exploring the feasibility of a large-scale floating district (FD) designed to be self-sufficient in its energy needs. Creating this new floating urban form presents an opportunity to integrate the complex interactions between energy planning and urban design during the early stages of the FD project. This research aims to contribute to the feasibility exploration of the FD project by examining how urban form and energy planning interact at the urban block scale, focusing specifically on the impact of horizontal and vertical density on the surface water thermal energy system (SWTE).

The study integrates findings from co-creation sessions, desk research, and expert feedback to develop a parametric model using Rhinoceros 3D CAD software with Grasshopper and Ladybug plugins to achieve this. The model, validated against benchmark values, evaluates six urban form scenarios with varying horizontal and vertical densities. The impact of these urban form parameters on the energy system is assessed, focusing on the simulation of demand reduction, reuse potential and solar production potential.

The results indicate that variations in horizontal density do not affect operational thermal energy demand or reuse potential, despite changes in solar potential on building facades. In contrast, vertical density variations impact the system, with high-rise scenarios (three floors) achieving the optimum regarding KPIs. Model simplifications, such as assuming constant building heights and excluding direct building adjacency, limit representativity. The research also highlights a lack of urban form metrics applicable to new large-scale designs and floating urban forms.

This study highlights the complex interactions between urban form and energy systems, emphasising the need to expand current model functionality. The theoretical framework, workflow, and model developed here provide a foundation for future research to enhance model accuracy and applicability to urban floating development. Conducted as part of a six-month internship at the Amsterdam Municipality Ingenieursbureau in collaboration with the AMS Institute, these findings support decision-making on energy planning and district design, contributing to sustainable urban development and the acceleration of the energy transition.
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Climate change has an enormous impact on our society: heat stress, droughts and flooding can cause a lot a problems. These problems are even more severe in the built environment as the urban design influences the urban climate. Less greenery, more paved surfaces, less urban ventilation an more human activity influence the urban climate in a negative way. This results in higher temperatures and more precipitation in cities compared to rural areas. To cope with the urban climate problems climate mitigation is not sufficient. Therefore it is also important to adapt the urban landscape to the changing climate conditions. Climate adaptation strategies for the built environment are still not sufficiently implemented and therefore this research looks at possible bottlenecks for these strategies in the spatial planning process.
In this research three Dutch post-war neighbourhoods are reviewed as they have seen recent redevelopment of (parts of) the public space. Post-war neighbourhoods are relevant as a lot of infrastructure is in need of replacement, which makes this an opportunity to combine this with the implementation climate adaptation. Post-war neighbourhoods are common throughout Dutch cities and also house relatively large amounts of vulnerable groups of people. The amount of public space in these neighbourhoods gives municipalities a lot of influence on urban design and thus on the amount of climate adaptation.
The research reviewed the spatial planning process of the three cases with twenty interviews with practitioners in the redevelopment projects and through the analysis of project documentation. The three cases are Bernadottelaan (Utrecht), IVORIM (Haarlem) and Kruidenbuurt (Tilburg). Main bottlenecks of climate adaptation are the large investment and maintenance costs and the claim on the limited public space. The goal is to come up with recommendations to improve implementation of climate adaptation in the spatial planning process.
The outcome of the research is that there are six different recommendations related to actor involvement, project finance, project scale and design guidelines. Maintenance parties should be actively involved in the design process instead of only giving advice or testing designs. This would enhance the amount of climate adaptation as measures have to be maintainable. Early contractor involvement is necessary to be able to be more cost efficient and come up with practical design solutions. External parties like housing associations and public utilities should be informed in the early stages of project for them to be able to match the planning. This makes bundling of challenges possible and eliminates some spatial restrictions. Project finance has to be integral as climate adaptation is divided over several departments. With integral financing projects can be bundled and therefore overall be more cost efficient. Projects at neighbourhood scale benefit from the ability to solve different problems at larger scale and form the placement of solutions to other challenges so that climate adaptation measures can be done where they are needed the most. Design guidelines need to be implemented to ensure that ambitions and priorities are rationally translated and balanced in the final design.
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Desertification and depopulation are mutually reinforcing processes that cause global socio-ecological ecosystem vulnerability through land degradation. The dehesa landscape in Spain is especially vulnerable, facing severe threats from these combined pressures and urgently needing strategic intervention. This research explores the potential of adaptive strategic planning to mitigate the socio-environmental impacts of depopulation and desertification in the rural regions of northern Extremadura, Spain, particularly focusing on the dehesa landscape. By integrating a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, this study analyses historical conditions and forecasts future scenarios, providing a holistic approach to environmental, ecological, social, economic, and political factors.
The use of cartography and GIS tools enhances spatial understanding and visualisation of impact distributions. The fieldwork, characterised by landscape photography and semi-structured interviews establishes a baseline understanding of the landscape’s health and land management practises. Furthermore, surveys delve deeper into community- and landscape identity, offering insights into local values and potential engagement in future scenarios.
These narratives reveal a strong community willingness to restore landscapes, dependent on clear visions for change, structured help in the form of technical knowledge of nature-based solutions, and incentives for ecosystem services. The findings suggest that an adaptive strategy, focusing on the active regeneration of the trees in the dehesa through a framework that integrates diverse actions over time, can reverse negative trends in landscape restoration. This research contributes to existing knowledge by highlighting the importance of community-engaged fieldwork and sustainable land management on a local scale to minimise effects of global processes. ... Read more

Dutch water management has undergone a significant transition, evolving from early adaptations that allowed coexistence with water to more extensive interventions aimed at active control. However, recent insights have revealed the unsustainability of these practices. Persistent measures, such as the continuous lowering of groundwater levels for construction and intensive agriculture, combined with the impacts of climate change, have led to significant consequences. Notable events like the Maas floodings in 2021 underscore the lack of preparedness and low water awareness among the Dutch population.

In response to these challenges, there is a growing emphasis on revisiting and revitalizing water management heritage. This research aims to contribute to this shift by proposing strategic design interventions focused on The Hague, Netherlands. The designs are informed by a comprehensive historical analysis of the city’s water systems and aim to integrate heritage with modern water management practices. These interventions seek to enhance urban resilience, raise public awareness of water-related challenges, and reestablish the community’s connection to its historical relationship with water. ... Read more

With urgent urban challenges such as climate adaptation, energy transition, the continued extraction of resources and pushing urbanisation, the urgency of integrating planning and design with urban engineering increases. The implementation of new technological interventions and the utilisation of the natural system is hampered by the lack of an integrated approach incorporating urban planning and design decisions. Meanwhile, urban and economic growth increasingly competes for infrastructure and environment, affecting the success or failure of the daily operating systems of cities and regions and thereby urban competitiveness. The challenge is to fundamentally rethink the urban landscape in light of transitions, new concepts and new technologies – as material and ecological practices. The question is how to renew existing urbanised areas by integrating parameters of the natural system and technological innovations directly into urban development opportunities arising from spatial planning and design. In order to stimulate and design the synergy between design and engineering the course Infrastructure and Environment Design offers the possibility for urban design and landscape architecture students to get well acquainted with the concepts and language of the technical field on the subject of infrastructure and environment.... ... Read more

This multidisciplinary report explores the transition potential of the Phalaborwa region, South Africa, from a mining-focused economy to one that integrates sustainable water, energy, and food (WEF) systems in a post extractive setting. Set within a semi-arid climate with significant resource challenges, the study assesses WEF capacities to propose strategic, sustainable development solutions. Analysing critical issues like water scarcity, renewable energy potential, and soil management, the study presents frameworks for sustainable agriculture, water management, and energy solutions to support post-mining economic resilience. Through a multidisciplinary methodology that integrates engineering assessments and urban planning, the report addresses critical biophysical resource issues. The findings emphasize the region’s unique resource inter dependencies, outlining frameworks for post-mining development that strengthen resilience to climate pressures and resource limitations. Ultimately, this study provides actionable insights for creating a balanced, sustain able future for Phalaborwa and the surrounding area. Although the study proposes frameworks that could inform similar transitions in other semi-arid, resource-constrained regions, it also emphasizes the importance of addressing the unique complexities of each area to ensure that solutions are appropriately tailored. ... Read more

"What if the dikes were to break? How can we then live with the water in the most beautiful way?" The Netherlands has a long history of battling against the water. It is high time to embrace the water in a new vision for the Netherlands called "PLAN B: Future waterscapes."

“PLAN B: Future waterscapes” is a utopian vision, building upon the agenda of LOLA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, where we expand the city beyond the dikes. A central tower is introduced, intended for use as both a water reservoir and for residential purposes, inspired by the Indus civilization. Thanks to the flexible and sustainable structure of this building, it can expand along the dike, adding a new urban fabric to the historical city of Delft.
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Impacts of the climate crisis and urbanisation hit urban environments around the world. Cities taking the lead in mitigating or adapting to the impacts, inspire or actively encourage other contexts to adopt their approach. Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an urban water management approach seeking integration with urban design to provide principles for minimising the hydrological impact of cities on its surroundings and enclosed natural environment while maximising positive impacts through ecosystem services. Urban design, however, is by definition context-specific and maladaptative outcome ensued from lacking contextualisation of WSUD. By bringing the urban design process to the fore, the research challenges universality of WSUD and positions the need for enhanced context specificity. Indian secondary city case studies are used to test a reconceptualisation of water sensitivity and provide evidence for the importance of diverse context knowledge and the contribution of urban design methods to gather and articulate such information about a unique site. Emphasised urban design in WSUD shifts its focus from water system optimization to inclusion of context characteristics defining how to design and manage water for each urban environment. ... Read more

Around the world, the Netherlands has a respectable reputation when it comes to water management, with other countries applying best practices to their own water related challenges. This reputation of the Netherlands has been a result of a decade long tradition of living with challenging water conditions. This has resulted in a highly cultured polder landscape that is iconic to the Dutch identity. This research report will explore how this iconic landscape and its buildings will need to adapt to changing climate conditions and how more awareness could be formed for the country’s special relationship to surrounding water. Focus on this transition is important, as the reclaimed land lies several meters under NAP and is also the location that most housing projects in the Dutch Randstad will be situated on. The ultimate aim of the paper is to create an architectonical tactic for Flood Risk Management (FRM) that can add value to Dutch polder areas by increasing awareness regarding the Dutch relationship to water. ... Read more

Urban areas project high demand for urban spaces to accommodate a wider range of functions associated with social, economic, and physical development, given the rising rate of urbanization and over two-thirds of the human population projected to be urban dwellers by the year 2050. Consequently, cities are rapidly developing into complex and sprawling infrastructure reservoirs, limiting the capacity of vital natural ecosystem services. Development projects face several time-based constraints to find space for public access. In recent decades, brownfield development has directed its focus towards the subsurface, with the onset of initiatives like “net zero land take by 2050” set by the European Union. Expanding the public realm in cities through brownfield underground development can help close the gap between demand and supply of habitable land within cities, especially in urban areas housing contextual heritage.

There are various socio-cultural agents to be accounted for, which influence the experience of the subsurface. With appropriate structuring of documentation and design methods, underground built environments can potentially link diverse uses like transit, work, recreation, and more. The lack of development strategy inclusive of underground spaces poses risk of exploitation by private sector eventually resulting in super-basements that are value-centric. Underground spaces need a strategic spatial vision where the subsurface ecology is considered and developed in coherence with public life, integrating it with existing infrastructure networks.

The Thesis explores the subsurface uses and their potential to supplement demand of public/mobility space from surface in the city of Amsterdam. The applicability of urban underground functions in a delicate Dutch Landscape presents an opportunity to test and benchmark the suitability of subsurface realm for a range of functions. This is done by generating a guiding methodology for context-specific design interventions, followed by their integration with existing underground resources to form a holistic subsurface network that supplements the surface. The research considers the current technological and urban transitions to utilize them tools for developing underground spaces as collective, feasible, and transformative spaces. Research-by-design approach is used to investigate essential parameters of subsurface design at different scales to contextualize prototypical interventions for Amsterdam.
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Portcities are at the forefront of transitioning towards a green and circular economy (UN 2019). Especially in transforming former port areas, the integration of nature-based solutions(NBS) is crucial to increase natural capital and support social- and economical ecosystem resilience. This requires further mainstreaming of NBS in urban design and urban planning practices. In this thesis scenario research-by-design methods are used to explore their implications for the Waalhaven. ... Read more