Common Ground

Abstract

Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, is characterised by its topography, scale, and liberal attitudes. Described as ‘old city, young vibe’, Nijmegen is known for its left-wing politics, stimulated by the presence of Radboud University. It has a heterogeneous population of different subcultures, social groups and nationalities that create a vibrant community. However, the public realm does not currently reflect the bricolage society of Nijmegen, instead mirroring the capitalist agenda of the global retail industry. Shops dominate the city centre, providing a limited realm for social participation or interaction between residents. Furthermore, ownership analysis of the city highlights the poor participation of the residents in making the city. Local organisations are instead situated on the border of the city, absent of footfall or public engagement. With the acceleration of loneliness, isolation and unemployment arising during the global pandemic, the value of the community needs to be reaffirmed in Nijmegen now more than ever. My design proposal aims to provide an alternative solution by democratising the public realm of Nijmegen to harness the social potential of the city. Inspired by Lefebvres notion of ‘The right to the city’ which called for a reclamation of public space back to the community, Common Ground aims to provide an alternative public realm for Nijmegen residents to create a new relationship to their city and community. The Molenpoort mall personifies the commercial city centre of Nijmegen, opened in 1972 as the as the first enclosed shopping centre in the city. Today, the Molenpoort is a void in the city, unloved by residents with a high number of abandoned shops. The current state of the Molenpoort represents the changing needs of society. No longer are people interested in shopping for leisure, instead favouring the convenience of online shopping. I therefore propose a redefinition of the Molenpoort plot from a dilapidated shopping mall to a community centre and coworking space for local businesses, aimed at strengthening the social and economic structures of your city.