Gathering Commons
Hybridized Third Spaces for Social Engagement of Young Adults
T. Boot (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Maurice Harteveld – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
Gerdy Verschuure – Mentor (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)
A Meijer – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Environmental & Climate Design)
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Abstract
This thesis investigates how hybrid public spaces can serve as contemporary third places to foster social engagement among young adults in suburban and peri-urban contexts. In response to increasing social isolation and the erosion of informal meeting spaces, the study proposes an integrated design strategy that blurs the boundaries between first, second, and third places. Grounded in theories of place, publicness, and multifunctional landscapes, the project reimagines a polder landscape between Rotterdam and Berkel en Rodenrijs as a “Gathering Commons”; a spatial framework that accommodates recreation, remote work, and community life. The design draws from landscape typologies, historical land-use patterns, and contemporary social needs to generate a layered public realm that remains active throughout the day. Through spatial synthesis and pattern-based analysis, the thesis demonstrates how the hybridization of program and form can create inclusive environments while acknowledging potential challenges in governance, safety, and stewardship. The project offers a replicable model for enhancing social cohesion and spatial quality in the transitional zones of modern metropolitan regions.