Reimagining the urban-rural interface
A regenerative framework, using agroforestry to connect nature, agriculture and urban development
L. Bongers (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.R.T. van de Velde – Mentor (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)
Víctor Munoz Sanz – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
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Abstract
This research investigates agroforestry within a regenerative framework as a unifying element to reconnect urban, rural, and natural landscapes in the RZG triangle, with a focus on Het Middengebied. Decades of intensification in agriculture and urban development have left the area fragmented, with agriculture, nature, and urban systems functioning in isolation. This study addresses these issues by developing a comprehensive framework that promotes spatial connectivity, environmental functionality, and social engagement.
Based on the site’s unique context and relevant theories, a set of design strategies and principles was developed to provide integrated solutions that could provide for both urban and rural areas. These strategies were then applied to the site, guiding the final design. The design exploration across the regional, local, and detail scale shows that agroforestry, within a regenerative framework, can act as a buffer zone that directs resources—such as water, organic waste, and CO₂—and human activity, thereby connecting ecological, agricultural, and urban areas.
The findings show agroforestry promotes resource flow and environmental resilience, though its effectiveness depends on careful management. Unregulated resource use or recreational activity could reduce the system’s regenerative potential. For long-term viability, this study emphasizes adaptive management and a balance of top-down financial support with grassroots community involvement, particularly in the early, low-yield years. This integrated approach highlights agroforestry’s role as a potential bridge between urban, rural, and natural areas, offering a model for regenerative design in landscape architecture.