Our current time, the Anthropocene, defined by crises, colours the Randstad and its accompanying Fringes in the ‘Groene Hart’ in the Netherlands, as a depleted landscape filled with economic, ecological, and socially misaligned housing developments, under constant pressure of further terrestrial urbanisation. The thesis seeks to research an alternative perspective to the prevailing market-driven, human-centric spatial zeitgeist that antagonised this misbalance, which is eroding the boundary between society and nature to being a Fringe of fluid hinterland within a depleted landscape. Contributing to housing shortages, environmental degradation, and societal polarization and segregation. Henceforth, the current form is no longer sustainable, and asking for a reiteration of the relationship between the urban and non- urban.

By adopting an ecocentric approach to housing the thesis seeks to foster synergies among, social, economic, and environmental interests by nurturing non-exploitative design. Subsequently, it contributes to the limited body of knowledge in contemporary Dutch urbanism, particularly regarding Fringes and housing developments within production landscapes.

Through the methodology of cycles of research for design and research by design, including literature and cartographic reviews, as well as digital and design interpolation, the thesis develops
a design language as a bridging design tool to explore ways to synergise conflicting systems within the peri-urban landscapes. Fostering an overall regional ecocentric strategy.

Concluding with the advocation of a transformative nature- inclusive Fringe of dynamic transitional mosaics of blue-green agroecological parklands with housing developments, advocating a revitalised relationship with the landscape and its natural operation, through the implementation of the Fringe National Parkland. Advocating a strategy of developing from the territory’s existing conditions to sustain functions by leveraging its inherent network capacity.

Emphasising the regenerative potential of enabling synergetic Fringes, the thesis paints an alternative promising perspective for the future region. It serves as a visual embodiment of how synergies can revive formerly depleted landscapes while addressing housing needs, offering a reflective outlook in the ongoing debate surrounding terrestrial development.

Postwar neighbourhoods, designed in the 1950s and '60s with the wijkgedachte in mind, have developed into unattractive environments. These areas are now defined by monotonous apartment blocks surrounded by vast stretches of grass and car-focused infrastructure. As a result, the quality of life has declined. This graduation project researches how a radical redesign of the postwar neighbourhood can lead to a joyful future for its residents. The research method combines exploratory, utopian design with supplementary theoretical and analytical studies. The way to joy is found in walking, recognising its benefits for physical, social and mental wellbeing. The structure walking plan consist of a close-knit walking network of lively routes and restorative routes, in combination with a variety of daily amenities spread over four community centres and the neighbourhood centre. Additionally, a detailed redesign is proposed to convert the large amounts of ‘empty’ public space into four allotment garden communities. This approach integrates design principles for walking with the values of the allotment garden complex, and the hidden qualities of the postwar neighbourhood. As a result, the radical redesign of Pendrecht creates a lively and joyful environment where walking and gardening become a central and enjoyable part of daily life. Thus, enabling a revitalisation of the wijkgedachte.

The urban environment in general needs to be renewed in light of the shifting demographics in the Netherlands in order to address future challenges. The majority of the Dutch urban environment is made up of low-density, post-war suburban neighbourhoods that are aimed towards a particular socioeconomic group. This is called the Row House Paradigm. Numerous sources claim that these neighbourhoods have a promising chance of addressing the future challenges. In the 1960s, Almere was planned as an Amsterdam "flowover" city, with the Row House paradigm predominating. In order for Almere to reach its objective of becoming the fifth city in the Netherlands, the study will examine our current living standards and provide proof that densification can be achieved while keeping existing (sub)urban qualities.