Appreciating Assen
Towards a Post-Growth Future
T.D. Breen (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
P. Pelzer – Mentor
Zef Hemel – Mentor
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Abstract
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.