Dissolving Distinction

Abstract

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.