Northern Campine Regained
Creating a Regenerative Strategy
W.D.B. Nouwens (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
U.D. Hackauf – Mentor (TU Delft - Environmental Technology and Design)
Rodrigo Viseu Cardoso – Mentor (TU Delft - Spatial Planning and Strategy)
A. Greco – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Real Estate Management)
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Abstract
The Northern Campine is experiencing depletion. Various forms of this phenomenon are already evident; natural areas are suffering due to intensive agriculture, resulting in a loss of biodiversity. Coupled with climate change, this depletion will worsen. Villages are experiencing a drain on services and a shift in population. This study seeks to develop a regional strategy centred on regenerative sustainability. Rather than focusing on a single aspect, the multiple dimensions of soil, production, society, and history are taken into account. Through spatial and policy analysis, as well as spatial and institutional imagination, the main research question, “How could regenerative sustainability counter ecological and social depletion resulting from intensive land uses and rural shrinkage in the Northern Campine region?” is addressed. Building on the regional strategy, a simulation is conducted across three stages of implementation. This simulation illustrates the various levels at which choices are made, the effects these might have on policy and design, and includes a potential framework for participation. The most significant finding concerns the implementation of regenerative sustainability. The spatial choices made in alignment with it primarily resolve spatial issues. While policy and governance matters can be addressed through spatial design and analysis, they are not entirely resolved. Nevertheless, this study investigates the possibilities arising from a focus on soil as a foundation and regenerative sustainability.