Broadened inclusiveness for urban renewal

Abstract

The complex relationship between humans and the natural world is still visible in 2023s urban planning: a city is a place for humans, and nature gives space to all non-human species. The anthropocentric perspective within the urban environment puts humans above non-human nature. This is also the case within urban renewal in the Netherlands, which aims to improve human liveability. This aim is reflected within the ongoing urban renewal in Carnisse, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, under the leading plan of NPRZ as well. However, considering non-human species might have positive effects for both human and non-human species. This thesis addresses the research question: "How can values of ecological justice contribute to a spatial design that improves urban renewal in Carnisse, Rotterdam?" to investigate the impact of non-human species liveability on urban renewal concepts and spatial plans in Carnisse. The study conducts a systematic liveability analysis of several target species representing circa 80% of the species currently present in the neighbourhood. Based on the analysis, a toolbox is developed, which is the foundation of integrating human and non-human demands within urban renewal. With a combination of consideration of the existing structure, context consideration, the implementation of zoning, biocentrism and nature-inclusive thinking, the translation towards a spatial plan based on ecological justice values for the neighbourhood Carnisse is created. Comparing the current NPRZ urban renewal plan and the ecological justice values-based plan reveals that if ecological justice is included, the concept of urban renewal should be revised and that there is a case for a more integrated approach to the physical and social domain within urban renewal. Besides, the focus on ecological justice values might reduce the in-depth focus on human liveability compared to the approach to urban renewal. Nevertheless, the spatial outcomes of the focus on non-human liveability will (indirectly) positively affect human liveability by improving health, lowering crime rates, improving interaction between humans and non-human species, and increasing climate adaptation of the area. Therefore, implementing ecological justice values will improve urban renewal concepts and spatial plans from an Arcadian perspective by improving the non-human species' liveability and from a resource standpoint, by improving human liveability.