In the context of population growth and economic development, dense cities can generate significant environmental and social benefits. Although this paradigm provides an essential strategy to confront urban population growth and housing demands, it directly and indirectly affects the well-being of urban life systems. The reduction of trees and urban green spaces that accompanies densification exacerbates the health risks to residents from heat island and urban flooding. At the same time, dense settlements fail to meet the basic needs of human contact with nature, raising issues of spatial justice. On the other hand, habitat degradation of flora and fauna leads to threats to the biodiversity in urban environments. This study provides a spatial intervention from an urban ecological design perspective to improve socio-ecological well-being in dense city contect by enhancing ecosystem services in order to achieve the goal of ecopolis.

Urban space types are classified first to help identify and better utilize the potential green space within dense cities. Then the Green in Dense pattern language is generated, which aims to improve socio-ecological well-being by complementing, enhancing, and maintaining green space. The pattern language provides strategies that can be applied to private and public spaces at four different scales and analyzes their adaptability to different urban space types. Also, in order to explore the process of practical application of the pattern language, the roles of human and non-human stakeholders are analyzed.

The pattern language are applied specifically to the inner city of Bruges. First, a future-oriented overall vision was established, applying large-scale patterns to supplement green spaces and build ecological and spatial networks from multiple layers, while proposing corresponding governance and management recommendations. The overall strategy was divided into four phases, with clear implementation sequences and priorities for projects within each phase. Specific roles and responsibilities were also defined for different types of stakeholders in each phase, forming an operational multi-stakeholder collaboration framework.

At the implementation level, the Eekhoutstraat–Garenmarkt street was selected as the pilot project for the first phase, applying the pattern language in a spatial context. In subsequent phases, three representative projects of different types were selected, each proposing targeted spatial design solutions, demonstrating the method's adaptability and replicability in diverse urban contexts.

This thesis presented a possibility to enhance socio-ecological well-being in dense urban areas by developing a replicable spatial strategy. It also integrates the needs and roles of both human and non-human stakeholders which emphasizes multispecies collaboration. Overall, it offers a useful reference for other historic, dense cities to develop green space strategies. ... Read more

Rapid urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa is placing increasing pressure on ecologically sensitive regions. In Nakuru, Kenya, situated between the Menengai Crater and Lake Nakuru, this growth threatens water systems, biodiversity and overall resilience. Unregulated development, combined with limited green infrastructure and inadequate water management, has intensified urban sprawl, deforestation, flooding and habitat loss.
At the same time, Nakuru’s unique ecological and cultural landscape offers the potential for a regenerative design approach that connects people and nature through multifunctional green-blue systems.

This thesis explores how regenerative urban landscape design can foster a more resilient future in Nakuru, balancing water management and biodiversity restoration. The goal is to develop a systemic approach connecting ecological infrastructure with the water network.

Using a research-by-design methodology, this project analyses the socio-ecological impacts of urban growth, through layered spatial analysis, precedent studies, stakeholder engagement and site-specific observations. The findings are translated to a spatial strategies.
These insights are translated into spatial strategies that structure the city around three hydrological zones: upland (control), midstream (store) and downstream (use).
Grounded in systems thinking and landscape-based urbanism, informed by theoretical framework, the resulting regenerative framework proposes design interventions such as water retention parks, green-blue corridors and multifunctional landscapes including urban agriculture and reforested catchment zones.
These strategies simultaneously address ecological goals (biodiversity, water quality), social goals (health, education, participation), and infrastructural goals (flood control, runoff management).

The proposed framework is site-specific but grounded in transferable principles such as systems thinking, multifunctionality and community-driven stewardship. Ultimately, the project repositions nature from a passive backdrop to an active urban agent; essential for both human and ecological well-being. ... Read more

The province of Flevoland faces increasing pressure from climate-related water challenges, including water nuisance, drought, soil subsidence, salinisation and potential flooding. This thesis explores how nature-based solutions could be utilised to enhance the existing water system and improve the climate resilience of Flevoland. Through spatial analysis, it becomes evident that rural areas, particularly agricultural lands, will be affected by these climate-related water problems.
The research presents a future scenario where nature-based solutions are integrated into the polder. These solutions not only mitigate the effects of water problems but also contribute to the ecology. An important insight is the multifunctionality of nature-based solutions, addressing multiple problems at once and offering benefits for biodiversity.
The thesis concludes the future scenario with a governance chapter to focus on the involvement of stakeholders in Flevoland. ... Read more

Groundwater quality in the Netherlands is under pressure, which has significant implications for the quality of drinking water. Groundwater is a vital source of drinking water—in the Netherlands, 60% of drinking water is derived from groundwater. At the same time, the country faces significant urbanization and a pressing need for an agricultural transition. Urbanization and agricultural practices place increasing pressure on rural areas, while concurrently contributing to the deterioration of groundwater quality.

The purpose of this research is to give insight in possible spatial considerations of safeguarding groundwater quality, used for drinking water. It also aims to provide research-based argumentations for specific spatial choices and to create an integrated future perspective for the rural areas in the province of Utrecht regarding groundwater quality. This thesis adresses the research question: “How could the groundwater quality at groundwater abstractions, for public drinking water, be spatially safeguarded in the rural areas of the province of Utrecht by 2050, by applying integrated solutions for both groundwater quality, agriculture and as well as urbanization?”

This graduation research explores integrated solutions for groundwater quality, agriculture, and urbanization through the application of the ‘pattern language’ method. By formulating four scenarios, future perspectives were developed for case area the Kromme Rijnstreek, each presenting a distinct set of solutions. In doing so, multiple approaches to safeguard groundwater quality are proposed.

The research identified sweet water storage in rural areas as a key solution. Additionally, buffer zones, groundwater friendly agriculture, agroforestry, and collaboration in circular water management emerged as important strategies for securing groundwater quality. Finally, the study demonstrated that the Pattern Language method is an effective tool for initiating a content-oriented dialogue among professionals from various disciplinary backgrounds. ... Read more

Oud Crooswijk is a typical working-class neighbourhood in Rotterdam and a vital part of the city’s identity. Today, the area is in urgent need of urban renewal. However, this renewal risks displacing current residents and transforming the neighbourhood’s physical and social fabric. As a result, Oud Crooswijk is at risk of becoming unrecognizable, potentially erasing its working-class character.

To address this challenge, this thesis presents a transformation framework that explores how the urban fabric of Oud Crooswijk can be renewed while reinterpreting—rather than simply preserving—its working-class identity. The concept of a working-class neighbourhood is constantly evolving, and this framework anticipates how that identity may shift in the 21st century.

The research follows a circular process involving four key activities. First, an analysis was conducted to understand the urgency of renewal, the spatial identity-carriers of working-class identity, and how this identity is defined. Based on these findings, a design assignment was created and translated into a proposal, including a vision, design principles, a potential masterplan, and key interventions. This was followed by an evaluation that redefined the spatial expression of working-class identity and informed further analysis—completing the cycle.

The thesis concludes that “conceptualizing working-class identity in the 21st century is complex and continuously evolving.” To maintain Oud Crooswijk’s recognizability post-renewal, the redesign must anticipate how this identity could be represented in the future. The transformation framework does this by embedding spatial identity-carrying elements into the urban fabric through design principles.

While the outcomes are promising, the framework is currently limited to the context of Oud Crooswijk. To test its broader applicability, it must be applied to other neighbourhoods facing similar urban renewal challenges. ... Read more

This thesis examines the role of the built environment to facilitate ageing populations in the support of the quality of life for elderly. Older people, aged 65 and over, are becoming the majority of cities’ populations, yet are still to get acknowledged by urban planners. Resulting in elderly to experience negative impacts on their abilities to maintain their daily activities. As ageing is only going to increase, a shift towards age-friendly communities is needed to support all ages, but elderly in particular, in their later stages of life. Therefore, this study explores how cities can support elderly in active and healthy ageing, while also exploring how age-friendliness can initiate a re-housing chain, starting with older residents. Central to this research is the research question: “How could age-friendly spatial planning and strategy in Dutch cities support active and healthy ageing for elderly and contribute to a more balanced housing market?”
The pattern language has been used to demonstrate what the important domains of age-friendliness are. Through scenario’s and a vision in the case study location, two neighbourhoods in Apeldoorn, the results are presented. Key findings show how this methodology creates opportunities for active and healthy ageing for elderly, as well as how a quantitative and qualitative senior housing supply is an intermediate goal for the housing market. These results conclude that age-friendly spatial planning enhances the quality of life and can be transferable for other cities to face the societal change. ... Read more

Midden-Delfland is located in Zuid-Holland and bordered by cities like Delft, Den Haag, Vlaardingen, Schiedam and Rotterdam. The area consists of an open, peat-meadow landscape dominated by livestock farming. Over the past 50 years, this landscape has transformed into a densely urbanized and fragmented part of the Southern Randstad, reducing available space to mitigate the effects of climate change. The KNMI climate scenarios predict a temperature increase of 4.9°C and a sea-level rise of 2.5 meters by 2100. Located at the end of a river delta and mostly below sea level, Zuid-Holland is increasingly vulnerable to flooding as extreme weather events become more frequent. Additionally, infrastructure like the A4 highway and railway cross the landscape from north to south, creating a fragmented landscape. In light of these concerns, a strategic plan is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change, with Midden-Delfland emerging as a location of interest. Beside the need to create more green buffer zones, the importance of connecting urban areas with rural areas becomes clear. The municipality of Midden-Delfland describes its role as an outdoor green area for the 2.3 million inhabitants of the metropolitan region of Rotterdam-The Hague. This recreational demand places considerable pressure on Midden-Delfland. In 2017, this region was designated the title as a ‘Bijzonder Provinciaal Landschap’ highlighting its cultural heritage and distinctive provincial landscape. However, this designation is not legally binding and serves more as a qualitative label. The design titled ‘the Metropolitan Park’ aims to emphasize the area's significance for surrounding urban areas, guided by three main themes: ecology, agriculture, and recreation.

In addition to its agricultural function, Midden-Delfland also has a strong ecological character, consisting of a multitude of ecologically rich habitats, including peat bogs, wetlands, meadow bird zones, and forests. Currently, the agricultural sector plays a significant role in conserving the ecological character, with numerous farmers participating in the management of their land for the meadow birds populations. Despite this contribution, the agricultural sector still negatively impacts the environment. Farmers strictly control the water level for their agricultural practices. Low water levels dry out the peat soil, which in turn causes the peat to oxidize and emit CO2. This oxidation leads to subsidence, making the land increasingly vulnerable to floodings and droughts. Furthermore, pesticide and fertilizer use results in eutrophication, water pollution, and nitrogen emissions, harming the natural environment.

This thesis proposes a new vision, accompanied by a development strategy for the future of the ‘Bijzonder Provinciaal Landschap’. The research is divided into two sections: a design section and a governance-oriented section. The maximization method is used to investigate each theme, with the aim of identifying optimal solutions. In order to develop an integrated vision for the year 2070, spatial conflicts are addressed. The research will also address the development of policy, the identification of stakeholders, and the outlining of strategic steps. Eventually, this thesis provides insights for municipalities such as Delft, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Midden-Delfland itself, encouraging the formation of integrative alliances and the pursuit of sustainable trajectories.
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The way housing is planned and used in the Netherlands is rooted in economic growth. This system, coupled with the culture of malleability of the landscape, caused an ignorance towards the natural system. Due to the changing climate, the country is experiencing increased floods and subsidence, adding to existing ecological and housing crises, necessitating a transition. This study endeavours to envision a spatial framework for alternative growth in the Zwolle region, with a focus on values to navigate this transition. Despite the presence of alternatives to this growth model, the lack of spatial implications and convincing tools is impeding the transition. Central to this research is the question: “How can a renewed value-based spatial design stimulate an alternative growth in the Zwolle region, where the housing system can thrive within social and ecological boundaries?” Using methods such as mapping, policy analysis, interviews, and scenario development, this research illustrates the journey towards alternative growth through imagery and storytelling. Key findings underscore the pivotal role of translating shared values into actionable spatial strategies to guide the transition process effectively. Moreover, it highlights the instrumental role of spatial design in facilitating communication and negotiation, emphasising the necessity of multiscale evaluations and stakeholder engagement in creating convincing narratives amidst complex societal challenges. ... Read more

The graduation project within the field of Urbanism investigates the impact of urban environments on personal and ecological well-being, with a focus on the decreasing quality of life in cities due to the diminishing urban green spaces resulting from growing urbanisation and densification. Moreover, the project highlights the importance of natural environments in mitigating daily stresses and the consequences of climate change. Therefore, preserving and enhancing urban nature at all scales is vital.

As part of the study, the pattern language “Restoration with Urban Nature” was developed to create design principles for improving personal and ecological well-being. The pattern language is organized into six categories that provide overarching, general patterns as well as suggestions related to activity, environment, senses, and implementation. Additionally, it contains a few “bonus patterns”.
Resulting from the pattern language, design principles are applied to the design location Moabit West in Berlin and then transferred to two other areas in Berlin: Helmholtzkiez and Flughafenkiez. A co-creation workshop with stakeholders from the first design location was also held to test the pattern language and ensure a participatory design process. Furthermore, the project utilises ecosystem services and parameters of restoration to evaluate the effectiveness of the design principles.

The results of the study provide insights into how urban design can improve personal and ecological well-being in urban areas by creating restorative environments with a focus on urban nature. Thus, an integrated approach that considers the various needs of humans and natural systems is needed to improve restoration and the provision of ecosystem services in Berlin and other urban contexts.

As personal and ecological well-being are strongly related, social-ecological urbanism holds high potential for cities. Consequently, the thesis contributes to the development of sustainable urban design strategies that prioritise the preservation and enhancement of urban nature for the benefit of both residents and the environment.
The findings are relevant for urban planners, designers, and policymakers who seek to create health-promoting and climate-adaptive urban environments. In order to implement the developed principles, raised awareness of the urgency of the topic is needed among all stakeholders. Furthermore, interdisciplinary cooperation fosters the successful development of restorative environments.

Finally, with its versatile green structure, the city of Berlin holds high potential for providing restoration and ecosystem services. The challenge lies in discovering and valuing those potentials.
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Air pollution poses a significant threat to human health globally, with Southeast Asia being one of the most affected regions. Chiang Mai, as the largest cultivated area in northern Thailand, faces severe haze pollution due to traditional farming practices, especially during the burning season. As urban areas encroach upon agricultural land and farmers increasingly turn to forests for land and resources, the pollution situation is intensifying in the negative way.

The thesis proposes a comprehensive strategic spatial framework which applied a multi-layered approach, including policy, social, and natural layers, to control pollution sources in agriculture and forest area and to eliminate air pollution that has already been generated in urban area. Envision a harmonious landscape where regenerative forests, integrated agriculture, and a haze-free environment synergistically contribute to refreshing the city. The thesis outlines pilot projects selected from rural and urban areas, which will be implemented and further elaborated with strategies and involve with site-specific intervention, aiming at achieving the goal of mitigating air pollution. These pilot projects will serve as models for surrounding areas facing similar challenges.

The ultimate aim is to transform agricultural areas into sustainable systems through the implementation of agroforestry practices, foster self-sufficiency within communities through urban farming initiatives, and promote a self-circulating urban environment through urban greening efforts. With synthesis of all systems, the existing fragmentation with be filled with green infrastructure throughout the entire area. By adopting this comprehensive strategic framework, Chiang Mai can address air pollution issues, promote sustainable land use practices, and create resilient landscapes that improve the well-being and quality of life for its residents. ... Read more

Animal farming is increasingly getting more attention and debate nowadays because of a lot of environmental issues it caused. Apart from that, the intensive animal factories have made consumers quite separated from food animals. What’s more, the animal welfare in current animal farming is not ensured, especially in those intensive animal factories which are always capital-dominated.

As the world’s second-biggest agricultural exporter, the Netherlands is characterized by its intensive farming. Noord Brabant is one of the most important agricultural provinces in the Netherlands with a huge number of animals. The study area Den Bosch region in Noord Brabant has a lot of intensive animal farmlands and factories. These existing intensive animal farms have a high demand to be improved in order to reduce the environmental issues in the Den Bosch region. Together with the natural, historical and cultural resources of Den Bosch, there is great potential to create flourishing animal farming landscapes and thoughtscapes in the Den Bosch region.

Therefore, the main research question of this report is exploring ‘How to build up sustainable, nature-inclusive animal farming landscapes that also provide attractive recreational qualities, through landscape design in the Den Bosch region?’

Four objectives of building up sustainable, nature-inclusive animal farming landscapes are promoted in this report which includes: Improving the ecological value of animal farming; Improving animal welfare; Creating recreational foodscapes of animal farming; Creating climate-adaptive animal farming landscapes. Design principles have been researched and concluded based on these four objectives. While the design principles are adjusted when applied on the design sites to be more suitable for the specific local context. Three sites are selected in different contexts of the city locate respectively in a natural area, suburban area, and urban area to explore the roles of animal farming can play in different city contexts. The relationship between animal farming and nature also has been explored through design exploration in three selected sites.

The outcome of this report aims to provide people with a set of possibilities for improving current animal farming spatially, environmentally, and socially by creating flourishing animal farming foodscapes and thoughtscapes.
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As the climate is changing, the need to mitigate and adapt to the climate is getting more urgent every day. One of the biggest causes of global warming is the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Simultaneously, we are destroying one of our biggest carbon sinks; our peat soil. Peat soil in the Netherlands is destroyed by the Dutch polder system and the way the Dutch are building on top of the peat layer. This results in oxidation, which results in a release of carbon dioxide. Fortunately, there is a solution to preserving the peat soil and even regrowth. By rewetting the peat layer, the anaerobic conditions needed to maintain the peat are created. This calls for a different type of built environment in order to prevent the loss of our carbon sink. The study location of this project is Westergouwe in Gouda, which is designated for the building of housing and the soil contains our beloved peat soil. To still gratify the big housing need, a design is made of the neighborhood Westergouwe combining the urban environment with the goals of preserving and growing peat, in an ecologically responsible way. This project answers questions through literature research like: How can carbon be stored in the soil, vegetation, and in the urban environment? How can you build on peat soil without destroying it? And what is the urban ecosystem? Also, an analysis using mapping, expert interviews, and literature research is done of the polder system surrounding Westergouwe, of other environmental problems, and of suitable biotopes within this vision. After the design, is looked at how this design could be implemented in phases and which stakeholders would be involved. This type of design requires long-term planning. Throughout the process, the involvement of local and national governments is key to realizing this design. To transfer the knowledge maintained in this project, a pattern language is made and a method is abstracted. This project is not only applicable to Westergouwe, it could be relevant for a lot of places where peat is present in the soil. But not only that, because of the finiteness of the polder system, this type of design could be relevant for the whole of the western Netherlands. The author hopes that more research is done to continue the project’s search for a landscape-based urban environment that mitigates and adapts to the climate and that this project is used as a framework for further research. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

In the past few decades, urbanisation in China has been witnessed with great speed. While this has brought a rocketing economy and improved citizens’ average living standards, it does not come without any expense. Such intensive urban sprawling and industrialization in China has added up a great risk to upcoming climate challenges, especially bringing about water issues such as flooding, water pollution and drinking water scarcity that are closely linked with citizens’ safety, well-being and future prosperity. Though many policies and initiatives have been proposed to mitigate these water issues, few of them can solve the issues systemically.

Hence, with the Lake Chao Basin as a backdrop, the project aims at tackling these water issues from the perspective of systemic design and thus proposes a 'water- oriented urban development'. Through the maximization method, a pattern language for 'water-oriented urban development' is constructed. This set of pattern language not only provides solutions to address the main problems regarding water quantity, water quality and water safety in the region but also is targeted at bringing about a systemic change in the area by intervening on deep leverage points.

To illustrate the implementation of the pattern language, a multi-scale framework for the Lake Chao Basin is created, with the vision for Tanchong River Basin 2030 as a strategic project. It shows how the implementation of the pattern language could reshape the landscape on different scales, engage various stakeholders and promote a sustained commitment to the water system among citizens. This will also provide transferable knowledge to other areas on how the patterns could be integrated into the future urban development process and contribute to the sustainable water system.
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As cities are getting denser and larger, space for conventional green features is diminishing. Cities without green alienate people from nature, deteriorate ecological systems and directly harm personal well-being. Limited open areas and many sealed surfaces in today’s cities raise the need for a renewed green space approach that fits in an increasingly dense and compact urban landscape; an approach in which green space is not limited to large open spaces at ground level, but one where greenery is truly integrated with built structures. The concept of compact urban green space (CUGS) is introduced in this study to refer to green space compatible with this approach. Too often, current CUGS on buildings and in small spaces solely serves aesthetic purposes and is treated as mere (architectural) decoration. This attitude results in pragmatic but disconnected interventions with little added value to ecology and well-being.
This study puts forward that urban planners and landscape architects should embrace these new and unconventional green spaces, because, when planned and designed from a larger social-ecological perspective, compact urban green space can functionally solve several urban challenges simultaneously while also improving ecological quality and human well-being. This graduation project explores the qualitative aspects of small green spaces that result in major improvements in ecological resilience and personal well-being. It is concluded that CUGS can provide quality for people and nature. E.g. by encouraging stewardship of local communities and allocating space for natural processes.
A pattern language approach is used to better understand the relations between a variety of CUGS patterns across different scales. Novel CUGS patterns, such as rooftop landscapes, bioreceptive building envelopes and topographic building blocks are tested in the spatial and ecological context of Rotterdam. The resulting spatial framework for the city centre guides the development of future CUGS. A design experiment performed in the neighbourhood of the Wijnhaven Eiland shows that multidimensional green structures and networks can improve well-being and ecological resilience in Rotterdam when they add value at different scale levels and are fundamentally integrated into the design of the city. ... Read more

Territories in-between (TiB) have gained increased attention the past decades among researchers in the field of urban planning and design. These territories are identified as territories somewhere in-between the urban and rural. Typical land uses in the TiB are warehouses, sport complexes, allotment gardens and small-scale industrial activities. The TiB are often considered to be underused, lack spatial quality (sense of place) and are under mounting pressure of urban densification. However, the rich diversity of land uses and abundance of semi open spaces in the TiB provides unique habitats and social-ecological opportunities, different from exclusively urban and rural landscapes. Therefore we, as urban planners and designers, should reconsider conventional planning and design approaches towards these territories and acknowledge the social and ecological potentials of these territories.

The thesis project proposes an unconventional design perspective that makes space for the territory in-between and embraces its true unorganized and multi-functional nature. The design strategy that was developed through a research by design process is called: the recovering membrane and describes the vision for the territory around the urban fringes of the city that resembles the functioning of a membrane at landscape scale. This design strategy was developed in particular for the city of Rotterdam. The recovering membrane is defined as a spatial layer of interaction between two distinctive living environments –urban and rural- and various human and non-human actors in them. The membrane aims to bridge the urban-rural divide, enhance biodiversity and sense of place in the in-between territories at the urban fringes of the city. The proposed strategy is supported by landscape ecology theories on ecological edges and boundaries and a theory on sense of place experience emphasizing the importance of human-nature interactions.

By using these theories, the vision for the recovering membrane is elaborated at local scale for an in-between territory near Hoek van Holland. The research shows that nature-inclusive spatial design elements can mutually benefit the ecological quality of the in-between territory as well as the sense of place experience at local scale. This integrated design approach is described as nature-based placemaking. The spatial transformation of the in-between territory into a membrane landscape can be organized into three development stages at respectively: short, medium and long time period. (1) Engagement and activation of the local community through a nature-based placemaking process. (2) Connectivity and integration of the in-between territory within its surroundings through social-ecological corridors. (3) Re-distribution of clustered land-uses in order to strengthen the heterogeneous nature of the in-between territory. The latter is of specific importance as it seems that greater landscape heterogeneity does not only cause for greater ecosystem resilience and biodiversity, but also greater sense of place experience. To enable this new approach a new governing body is proposed: the Membrane Management Group. ... Read more

Social participation plays an important role in the process of urban landscape renewal and maintenance. Embodying broader social participation can facilitate the equitable distribution of green infrastructure, increase the capacity of landscape management roles, form multidisciplinary teams and implement precise actions. The theme of the project is therefore how spatial design strategies can stimulate wider participation of urban residents in the enhancement of the urban landscape and living environment.
The case study area is the Pendrecht neighborhood of Rotterdam, which is a city in transition. The post-war reconstruction area is at a turning point in terms of safety and quality of life, having experienced a downward spiral of pollution, violence, crime, and social segregation for decades. In this context, the project hopes to activate the enormous potential of the community and empower residents to regenerate themselves. The project, therefore, wants the nature-based solution to be seen as a catalyst for space, not only advocating for the public to use NBS to activate the use of public space, but also to combat social isolation, build a sense of place, increase
employment opportunities, attract investment, visitors and new residents, and together create a more sustainable and liveable city.
The project has three tracks to create a participatory landscape. They are: in the first track, transformative place-making to increase social awareness; in the second track, motivation to participate through public policies, design tools, and the improvement of infrastructure systems; and in the third track, community empowerment through strategies such as the transfer of power and responsibility, the creation of garden operating organizations, phased development and the breakdown of responsibility zones. The project hopes to provide spatial planning and design strategies that can be used as a reference for similar areas and urban regeneration to transform into eco-cities. ... Read more

The two urban challenges of the mobility shift and industrial redevelopment come together at the site of the Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H) in Rotterdam. The mobility shift consists of the transition from polluting vehicles towards sustainable alternatives, like electric vehicles, and the use of public transport and slow mobility. The industrial shift consists of sites where the industrial function is moving out, resulting in urban redevelopment. This research dives into the following research question: ‘How can sustainable mobility guide the redevelopment of post-industrial sites towards a sustainable environment’. In the research, the component of sustainable mobility is connected to development and environment. Strategies like TOD and S2N are used to find synergies in research and design. To answer the main question, research is applied to the M4H, resulting in a strategic spatial framework. In this framework, mobility is elaborated in detailed design interventions. The challenge of sustainable mobility is further elaborated and explained in infographics, and the shift to design principles is made in a development pattern box. So sustainable mobility can guide the development by defining the mobility transition, by a translation into development principles, and the implementation of sustainable mobility in the redevelopment process. ... Read more

Human driven pollution is causing irreversible damage to the habitability of our planet. Due to these environmental concerns, it has become imperative to move away from petrochemical dependency as this industry contributes significant greenhouse gases causing air, soil and water pollution. About 85% of the petrochemical industry that travels through the port of Rotterdam goes towards fuels for mobility, this is a critical bottleneck that requires careful consideration. To ensure a sustainable province in terms of both a liveable province as well as economic prosperity policy is set up by means of communicative rationality between all actors (commercial stakeholders, residents, consumers, etc.). In 2060 all our vehicles will run on electricity from sustainable production sources, such as solar and wind. We will travel less and more efficiently in part by improving spatial proximity to (social) functions. To aid this mobility transition, biofuel potentials will be optimized to phase out the existing infrastructural dependencies by 2040. After which a complete build down from all polluting mobility fuels will be put into action. This phase allows different actors to cultivate and experiment with sustainable waste–to– value connections between stakeholders by optimizing biofuel potentials from regional waste. To make this transition succeed, the mobility and fuel transition is brought on through the three pillars: 1. sustainable connections, 2. waste to value and 3. consumer patterns. Allowing for an integrative transition in line with the global move towards a circular economy and a more healthy and liveable environment. As a result of this transition the petroleum–industry leaves waste spaces that require transformation. By creating a toolkit to assess different typological waste spaces, petrol stations, terminals and refineries will be transformed into residential, office, cultural, green and other functions after the soil is properly remediated. ... Read more

At the moment, 23,5% of total waste production in the Netherlands comes from the construction sector. Therefore, in view of international agreements and the developing climate crisis, by 2050 this construction- and demolition sector should be transformed into a circular system that limits CO2 severely. It is important to bear in mind that current waste collection and waste treatment in the Netherlands are often separated and that it is a system that does not integrate social and spatial aspects, such as education or embeddedness in the urban fabric. These processes lack in optimal use of existing spatial systems in order to stimulate a sustainable circular flow of materials. In order to tackle this problem, we envision to integrate several systems of existing waste collection stations and treatment facilities and involve citizens in the waste system rejuvenation. In order to achieve this, we build upon the existing network of waste collection stations, by transforming it into a multi-functional system. Adding social values to the existing systems such as educational facilities and maker spaces improves their spatial quality and contributes to more public awareness about these systems. In order to achieve this, we propose to integrate systems into the urban fabric and improve the dialogue with the cities in the South Holland region. However, the unique identity of each location requires a multi-layered approach, consisting of central hubs and local- and flexible spokes. The central hubs emphasize logistical optimization of circular material processes, while the local and flexible spokes focus more on public awareness creation. The local spokes do so through integration with the city and the flexible spokes with a more adaptable character by being related to construction sites. To determine the functions and characteristics of each site, the regional strategy will take into account all individual spatial, environmental, social, and technical characteristics in order to achieve the best interaction between them. The multi-scale integration and rejuvenation of the system improve the efficiency and the sustainability of waste collection, with an impact on the spatial qualities of the waste collection stations. In turn, this leads to added social values and crucial society-wide awareness for the transition and active engagement of citizens in the circular economy. ... Read more