Depolarization in the city of The Hague
L.S. van Leeuwen (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.A. Kuijper – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
M.G.A.D. Harteveld – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
L.M. Calabrese – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
This research investigates how public spaces can be designed and used to counteract political polarization in The Hague, with the aim to strengthen a better social connection between citizens. Political polarization is understood as the widening of ideological, emotional and perceived distance between groups becomes problematic when it undermines democratic cooperation, weakens social cohesion and enables “us vs them” dynamics. In The Hague these dynamics manifest spatially through contrasting voting atterns, symbolic street names tied to colonial histories and informal political expressions in neighbourhoods such as Transvaalkwartier. These observations highlight the need for spatial strategies that foster constructive encounters across social and political divides.
Incorporating GIS based electoral mapping and ethnographic observations this study analyses how polarisation manifests in everyday public spaces. Allport’s Contact Hypothesis, Oldenburg’s concept of third places and Soja’s Thirdspace are used to understand how public environments can support depolarizing interactions. These insights informed the development of a site specific design proposal in the Transvaalkwartier.
The results show that public space can counteract polarization when they enhance accessibility between neighbourhoods, provide inclusive and multifunctional environments and support informal equal status encounters. The proposed design transforms an industrial site into a connective public space featuring a new pedestrian passage, a conversation pit, communal gardens, children’s play areas and adaptive reuse of existing buildings into community serving functions such as a library, gym, restaurant, repair cafe and workshop spaces.
The study concludes that depolarizing public space requires a context sensitive approach that integrates spatial analysis, ethnographic insights and inclusive design strategies. The final design demonstrates how architectural interventions can strengthen social cohesion by creating environments that enable dialogue, shared activity and everyday encounters.