This project is about Baiyangdian lake-wetland system, the largest freshwater lake in the Hebei region, which has developed a productive cultural landscape of lake-village-reed symbiosis under long-term human modification, which is adaptive and resilient to floods.

However, after 1960s, when China entered the modern era with fast industrialization and urbanization, the symbioses of humans and the lake landscape got out of balance. Baiyangdian has been hit hard by drought, industrialisation, pollution, village expansion and over-fishing, which have brought a series of ecological disasters. In 2017, the government placed Baiyangdian within Xiong'an New Area. The establishment of this new city brings opportunities and challenges to Baiyangdian. The government began to treat Baiyangdian with measures. The ecology of Baiyangdian has improved, but the livelihoods of locals have been restricted and the traditional way of life is disappearing.

As for the government to restore the ecosystem of the lake they want to relocation the villages, restrict the industry and fishery, take over the maintenance and so on. Based on the study of the ecological system, the water management, and livelihood of Baiyangdian, this thesis researches from the perspective of landscape design and urban planning if it is possible to keep the island villages in the area as part of a renewed healthy lake landscape. The aim is, by utilising the rich natural landscape resources of Baiyangdian, to provide new vitality for local people and create a new chapter in the era of human-water symbiosis.

As a result of extended urbanization caused by the expansion of urban activities to the periphery and beyond and in-situ urbanization in rural areas, many peri-urban areas with a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural activities have emerged in Liaoning, which can be described as ‘desakota’. These widely distributed desakota are neglected in planning, leading to marginalization and socio-ecological degradation, and the socio-ecological systems of desakota are further affected by urban shrinkage. Therefore, desakota in Liaoning cannot innovate and transform into a desirable future in the shrinking context.

Socio-ecological systems are dynamic and unpredictable (Berkes, 2017). Traditional planning can only partially cope with it (Balducci et al, 2011) while adaptive planning provides more flexibility and adaptivity. Adaptive planning can enhance socio-ecological resilience in desakota from both spatial and institutional dimensions. Building on socio-ecological resilience, these areas increase the potential to provide socio-ecological values to the megaregion.

Therefore, in the context of shrinkage, this study aims to investigate how socio-ecological resilience can be built in peri-urban areas through adaptive planning, with attention to spatial and institutional dimensions, to counter socio-ecological degradation and achieve integrated development.

The phenomenon of rural decline in China has long existed, and discussions on rural revitalization are increasingly intense. Facing the vast diversity of Chinese rural areas, this study focuses on villages closely linked to rivers, selecting the upstream region of the Jiulong River in southern Fujian as the case study area. It explores how a river-centric design can contribute to the sustainable rural revitalization of the Jiulong River Upstream region, fostering ecological integrity and socio-economic resilience.
The research delves into the issues facing rural China and summarizes them, using layer approach as the primary method to analyze the entire watershed, upstream region, and specific villages. It identifies ecological challenges such as segmentation of the river system, water pollution, flood risk, soil erosion, and monoculture, as well as social challenges including alienation to the river, underutilized economic opportunities, and low awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the river. In response to these challenges, corresponding strategies and principles were developed, and specific measures were integrated to form a comprehensive strategic framework. Additionally, the framework links ecological and social measures or strategies to explore the integration of socio-ecological systems. Each principle within the strategy framework corresponds to multiple measure options, providing implementers with flexibility and operability, and strengthens bottom-up governance through an analysis of stakeholders. The strategies are spatialized and expressed through designs or plans at three different scales.

The Netherlands is facing the challenge of population growth and increasing diversity through migration, especially in larger cities like The Hague. These trends put pressure on the built environment and exacerbate social tensions. To address this, the thesis aims is to enhance spatial inclusion and social cohesion by densifying the built environment for the increasingly superdiverse population in the Haaglanden Region. Implementing the theories of an open and just city, as well as aligning this to the concept of space’s social logic and the 15-minute city is key to achieving this goal.

The region consists of many urban density types, each with different potentials for inclusive densification. The Mariahoeve neighbourhood, a typical postwar neighbourhood located on the outskirts of The Hague, offers many opportunities for inclusive densification. The strategies to be introduced for Mariahoeve are the introduction of courtyard typology buildings, a network of urban quality types, and main streets. The main streets expose the neighbourhood’s interiority through their enhanced permeability, and function as places of co-presence, raising awareness and affording interaction among different individuals. In a context of superdiversity, raising awareness through primary visibility is key in enhancing a sense of community.

The thesis concludes with a design proposal that strategically implements density to enhance connectivity, legibility, visibility, spatial diversity, and equity, to create an inclusively densified neighbourhood.

The Pearl River Delta (PRD) has always been one of the centers of gravity for China's economic development. Over the past few decades, the PRD has been undergoing urban development at an astonishing rate, but this development momentum has begun to wane in recent years. The development dividend initially gained from the manufacturing industry is gradually diminishing, and the whole region is facing a transformation. To meet the needs of the manufacturing industry, many rural villages have rented out their land to factories, and the living space for farmers and fishermen has been continuously reduced. Pollution brought about by the establishment of factories has also seriously affected the water system of the Pearl River, bringing about the extinction of aquatic organisms.

Not all groups of people have enjoyed the dividends of economic development in the Pearl River Delta. Especially the fishermen among the marginalized people, their living space and production sources are threatened by urban expansion. However, fishermen, as the first to settle in the Pearl River Delta and have lived on the land for thousands of years, have their unique wisdom about the land and the water system. Therefore, the project hopes to help the region achieve sustainable development from the perspective of the fishermen while ensuring their livelihoods.

The project has developed a core fishermen's habitat framework through theoretical research. Firstly, based on this framework, the project collected data and information on typical fishing villages classified the fishing villages in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), and summarized their specific elements. Secondly, the project selected one of the fishing villages for design exploration, exploring specific habitat modifications and area-specific planning strategies. Finally, the design logic implemented in the design exploration was utilized to examine the principles of the other two types of fishing villages, and a relatively feasible way of application was proposed.

Landscape has always embodied the mutual compromise between man and nature. In the past, humans have forced nature to make compromises, leading to the increasingly severe ecological degradation problems today. It is time to think differently about the relationship between man and nature, so the project hopes to help the residents of the Pearl River Delta, and nature reach a new coexistence through the means of landscape modification, which will no longer be a relationship of forcing one party to compromise, but rather a relationship of balanced development.

The Nitrogen Crisis has become a focal point for the global community, with the related European policy stirring uncertainty in the agricultural sector. This political unrest has been clearly manifested in the Netherlands, while natural areas remain exposed to high emission levels. Society calls for systematic solutions to the nitrogen issue that conserve the existence of farmers, the preservation of nature and the national economy.

This report focuses on the agricultural sector, as it accounts for 52 per cent of emissions (RIVM, 2022). We investigate opportunities to mitigate NH4 and NO3 surplus in soil caused by current agricultural practices and we spatially explore a systemic approach to cut emissions caused by livestock farms and inefficient use of fertilizers within field crop farming in the Eurodelta region.

Through document review and archival research, followed by spatial analysis and mapping, we investigate what changes in agricultural practice can restore balance in the nitrogen cycle. A vision for the Netherlands’ primary agricultural production future is formulated. This vision focuses on sustainable land use, alongside nature protection, research development and community engagement. We elaborate on this through a spatial
strategy, which concentrates on five strategic projects used to assess the interventions on-site and demonstrate their potential to all stakeholders.

Our proposal involves the recognition of natural protection zones in areas where agriculture borders natural habitats. Actions and policies are suggested to facilitate land conversions and support the farmers in this transition. Furthermore, we propose a network of living labs and community centres aimed at applying sustainable farming methods and connecting the city and agriculture.

We conclude that to prevent harm to human health and the environment we need to explore ways to combine the farmers’ and the environment’s interests. The systemic approach requires equitable regulations governing permissible emissions for farmers throughout the Netherlands. However, it should allow farmers to autonomously shape emission reduction initiatives locally.

Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas have provided the vast majority of energy used by our globalising civilisation. The rapid growth in energy use in the past 250 years has led to increasing fossil fuel usage, which has been the primary driver behind the ongoing climate emergency. Policy measures in the Netherlands aiming to reduce the country’s carbon emissions have so far been insufficient because of a lack of visioning and concrete strategies. A primary source of the persistent emissions is the Port of Rotterdam, which acts as Europe’s fossil fuel gateway as well as the most polluting port in the continent, due to the excessive petrochemical activities. The pollution is one of the causes of climate change, which threatens the Dutch landscape with possible extreme sea level rise and weather conditions. The main objective of this report is to imagine a carbon-neutral post-fossil fuel future where the changing water landscape is considered, and the Port-region of Rotterdam adopts a decentralised energy system by 2100.

Historical and social analysis of the ports’ position in the energy system together with the current policies of the energy transition was used to formulate goals and a conceptual framework. By using scenario building for uncertainties and their evaluation, a final vision of an inclusive energy transition was developed. To achieve the desirable systemic shift, this report outlines a set of development strategies through toolkits, new policies, and strategic sites namely in the Port of Rotterdam, Zeeland, Dordrecht, and the Green Heart. A detailed example of Port of Rotterdam is chosen to illustrate how specific actors can define the new energy-inclusive built environment.

This report aims to outline a transition pathway from the polluting and exclusive energy system towards a decentralised, sustainable, and carbon-neutral energy system that empowers communities and individuals in the Eurodelta region. A crucial element of the project is the establishment of a resilient energy system, taking in the consideration of sea level rise and worsening climate situation expected in the next decades. The integration of renewable energy, nature-based water management solutions and redevelopment of obsolete fossil-fuel scapes will transform the ports, urban centres, and peri-urban areas into a dispersed energyscape. This way, the new energyscape is inclusive and adaptive, allowing people to have a voice in their energy production while also being more in touch with nature.

The emission of CO2 is a significant contributor to global warming, with the mobility sector being a major source. The EU has set a goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, requiring substantial CO2 reduction efforts, particularly in densely populated regions like the Rhine-Delta (RDR). This region’s extensive mobility network, serving both urban and global trade needs, generates significant CO2 emissions.
To address this, a research initiative aims to make the Rhine-Delta’s mobility network CO2-neutral by 2050 through reimagining its design and operations. The focus lies on peri-urban areas, where urban and rural landscapes intersect. These areas are essential for economic and social functions but are currently reliant on polluting road transportation.
The research identifies the need to rethink connectivity to peri-urban areas for sustainability. Traditional urban-focused transportation concepts often overlook peri-urban needs. Therefore, the initiative proposes developing context-based mobility nodes tailored to peri-urban requirements. These nodes aim to promote sustainable transportation and enhance network efficiency.
The approach involves creating an interconnected network of such nodes throughout the Rhine-Delta region, addressing the specific needs of lower-density areas like peri-urban zones. By considering local contexts, these nodes can effectively serve peri-urban areas, promoting sustainable transportation practices.
To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, the research zooms in on a representative area within the Rhine-Delta region, focusing on peri-urban patches around Arnhem-Nijmegen. By showcasing how context-based mobility nodes can be implemented in such areas, the research seeks to pave the way for a broader transition towards a CO2-neutral mobility network by 2050.
In conclusion, the research aims to transform the Rhine-Delta’s mobility landscape by making it CO2-neutral through the implementation of sustainable transportation solutions tailored to peri-urban areas. By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by peri-urban zones, the initiative seeks to contribute significantly to the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050.

This thesis explores the identity of Spijkenisse and how it can be enhanced in its revitalisation. In previous revitalisation efforts of New Towns, both tangible and intangible heritage have been demolished. Therefore, a historical overview of these cities is necessary, covering not only the ‘planned city’ but also the ‘lived city’. To achieve this, the topics of ‘Heritage as a vector’ and ‘Place Identity’ will be examined. This study utilises Spijkenisse as a test case for a methodology that can be applied in other New Towns in the Netherlands or internationally. The methodology includes historical analysis, storytelling, and co- creation workshops. The research emphasises participatory planning to empower the local community, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.

China’s rapid urbanisation and industrialisation seriously impacted rural areas, which is reflected significantly in the Greater Bay Area. With globalisation and digitalisation, the emergence of Taobao villages has become a new model for rural development in China. However, socio-economic activities entering in Taobao villages with digital technology were unguided and lacked spatial planning. Consequently, the pursuit of economic growth has resulted in the sacrifice of agricultural resources, degradation of the ecological environment, and terrible spatial quality. With the regionalisation and integration of the Greater Bay Area, the need for sustainable rural revitalisation has become urgent.

To envision future possibilities for rural development, this project introduces the concept of Smart Villages, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and improve rural liveability. With the Dutch layer approach as the main methodology, the project understands the essential resources that support smart village development and evaluates the spatial conditions of rural areas at regional, district, and local scales. To conclude, the key design elements for Smart Villages development include agricultural agglomeration, accessible networks, and rural liveability. Based on these findings, the project proposes a potential Smart Villages development framework that serves as a guide for rural areas. A series of spatial design strategies are also presented and applied to two design cases, Xingtan in Foshan and Chikan in Jiangmen. They represent rural areas at different levels of development, showcasing scenarios of agro-industrial and eco-agricultural development respectively. It demonstrates how rural areas make use of local resources to spontaneously develop into Smart Villages, thereby reducing dependence on urban centres and contributing to the development of metropolitan regions.

The project highlights the need for a flexible approach to rural revitalisation in the digital future. By embracing the concept of Smart Villages, it advocates for sustainable agricultural practices, improving infrastructures, and enhancing the quality of life for rural communities. The proposed framework and design strategies offer valuable insights for planners, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to foster the sustainable development of Smart Villages in a spatial perspective.

Urban regeneration and urbanization are always concomitant topics and phenomena that appear in the history of China and other countries. Until the end of 2021, China's urbanization rate has reached 64.72%. Cities of different sizes and levels have been, are, or will soon be entering the era of inventory planning. Urban villages are the author's primary focus topic of urban regeneration under rapid urbanization. On the one hand, urban villages are the product of rapid urbanization.On the other hand, urban villages are also the key potential areas for urban regeneration. Urban villages have their inevitable "dynamic" and "transitional" nature in the process of urbanization. They are the link between urban and rural areas and the "first stage for living" for different groups.

With the current emissions and disasters due to climate change, the energy transition towards a sustainable and climate resilient future of Northwest Europe is now more important than ever. The fi rst steps have been made, but this transition is happening too slow and in an insufficient and uncollaborative manner. This research studies the spatial implications of the energy transition and aims to construct a framework that helps to accelerate the process and make it more efficient and socially just. The methods used for this are data analysis and research by design, combined with scenario building, by investigating and designing the case study of the province of South-Holland within the context frame of Northwest Europe. The results of this report show an integrated spatial vision on the energy transition on multiple scales. Additionally, it provides a strategic framework that consists of policies, organizational structures and physical interventions, both in space and time, that are structured in a catalog. This proposal helps accelerate the process of the energy transition, to be able to build on a sustainable future for energy production and distribution

Excessive carbon emission has led to global warming, resulting in climate change. Due to this, the natural carbon and water cycles are disbalanced leading to extreme (water-related) events, such as flooding, periods of drought and diminished water quality. The degradation of ecosystems and threat to human survival are direct consequences of this process.


There is an urgency to act in the upcoming seven years to remain below the 1,5 degree global temperature rise. Aside from reducing CO2 emissions in long-term processes, carbon capturing is crucial to achieve short-term ambitions. Therefore, this study investigates the implementation of (nature-based) carbon sinks strategies, using water(bodies) as a tool, in North-West Europe..

This report fills the gap of knowledge on how to implement water-based decarbonization through spatial interventions in North-West Europe.
Firstly, the technical aspects of water-based decarbonization are studied by reviewing existing literature, providing the required spatial conditions for the implementation of water-related carbon sinks. The historical and current conditions in North-West Europe are mapped and analysed. Comparing these results, an evidence-based selection of feasible intervention areas are determined.


Our analysis shows that the EuroDelta is the strategic location for the spatial vision for North-West Europe. There is a need for a paradigm shift to restore the self-sustaining system of the Delta, demanding Nature Based Solutions. Wetland restoration is the most efficient, low cost approach of climate change mitigation as the free, well-functioning services of these carbon sinks naturally make way for long-term restoration of the natural balance and societal well-being. They should be restored in original historical sites and the Dutch Delta is suitable. Therefore bottom-up approaches are required in global visions as wetlands restoration is context-specific.

We conclude that de Krimpenerwaard polder and the Port of Rotterdam are effective, feasible, and inclusive solutions to tackle both climate change and societal challenges while providing long-term water-resilience and livability through all scales. Agricultural sectors will shift to sustainable farming and (port-)industries are held accountable for their emission. A limitation is the disregard on the emission of methane which in further research should be taken into account.

For the past centuries, the agricultural sector in north western Europe underwent massive intensification to keep up with the great demand due to globalization and population growth. In this process, an excessive amount of nitrogen has been emitted into the environment, causing soil depletion and biodiversity loss. The efforts of national politics, like the Netherlands and Belgium, to tackle this crisis has brought conflict concerning social justice. This project aims to provide a socially just strategy that achieves a sustainable agricultural food system, which in turn solves the nitrogen crisis by the year 2075. This is done by literature research on past principles, the current context and future trends of both social and environmental concerns. By building on the concepts of decentralization and sustainable land use in scenario building, a vision is formed. A conceptual framework has been set up to connect all the elements considered important within this transition. Through research by and research for design, a strategy will be developed in which South Holland will be used as a case study.
The goal of the report is to showcase a transition from the current agricultural food system into a just and sustainable one. Essential to achieve this goal is to look at different parts of the agricultural chain. The strategy inducing this transition includes new policies, technologies, knowledge and practices that reduce the nitrogen emissions. Through policies and projects some components will be phased out while others are simultaneously accelerated to activate the transition. Based on environmental attributes, different options are offered to guide farmers to proactively switch to more sustainable forms of agriculture. At the same time, consumers and distribution companies, guided by all levels of government, move to shorter chains to support sustainable farmers. To demonstrate the strategy on a local scale, three areas within the province of South Holland have been selected as a case study. By implementing a multi-scaled and holistic approach on the agricultural food system, engaging stakeholders on different levels, the project has the potential to serve as a blueprint for creating a just and sustainable food system that no longer causes nitrogen pollution.

The countryside is standing at the cross of its destiny due to rapid urbanization. Influenced by the historical dual urban-rural relationship, the countryside in China was regarded as the sacrifice of regional modernization. Since the reform and opening up, a miraculous expansion of cities could be seen within the Great Bay Area (GBA). However, the price of this great leap is the broken countryside losing independence: City-oriented planning has led to increasing urban-rural disparities, which is replacing the agriculture landscape with monofunctional land use and transforming rural area into satellite areas within the poly-centric regional structure. Therefore, how to redefine the countryside and propose development patterns jumping out of the urbanization path has become an urgent problem, yet effective spatial strategies and theory-based practices are currently limited (Magel, 2019). The thesis aims to explore the potential of the modern countryside as a sustainable settlement in the GBA. Through comprehensive methodology taking the layers approach as a critical method, the project retrospects the transition from perspectives of form, function and governance in the countryside, and critiques the functional zoning planning approach which reinforces the unbalanced local development. It proposes a vision of the hybrid and productive rural system based on agricultural innovation, a flexible spatial framework that considers production, environment and livability comprehensively, and a series of possible strategies related to existing patterns. In the future, the countryside could become a development option complementary to cities and contribute to the formation of a diverse and urban-rural integrated network of this international mega-metropolitan region.

Young graduates are facing housing difficulties in the Chinese metropolis. The Chinese government published new policies to encourage regeneration of the land stock resources as affordable rental housing targeting young people. This study aims to explore how urban regeneration can benefit young graduates’ livability. Specifically, it investigates the possibility to regenerate urban villages as affordable rental housing provisions. In this context, affordable rental housing tackles spatial inequities and should be located in opportunity-rich areas.
To test the assumption that urban villages can be regenerated as affordable rental housing, spatial analysis on multiple scales was conducted and four well-located urban villages were chosen as cases to study. The villages were evaluated based on the indicators from young graduates’ demand analysis, and different governance models were analyzed to explore the possibilities for regeneration. The results shows that the conflict between the private interest in densification and public interest in open space is the main challenge for regeneration, and not only the spatial intervention but also the operation mechanism need to be proposed.
These results suggest that encouraging spontaneous regeneration by combining top-down and bottom-up strategies may be an approach for future regeneration as well as a chance to legalize the informal village settlement. This requires not only the efforts of the village collective but also the support and active participation of the public sector. By improving the public space network and doing some experiments on strategic projects, the regeneration strategy can be tested and applied to other well-located urban villages in Shenzhen, providing more affordable housing options for young graduates.

The estuarine river landscape between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is a typical case where the landscape lost its value and characteristics due to the border policy. The two megacities Shenzhen (a city in mainland China) and Hong Kong (a special administrative region), are located in the southeast of the Pearl River Delta, one of the world's largest and rapidly developing delta regions.

The Shenzhen River in the middle of the two cities has been a border river since 1898. Coupled with the green buffer zone on the HK side that was once a restricted border area, the bay, the estuary, the river, and the land together form a uniquely polarized landscape, with urbanization and nature across the river. Whether to protect the natural environment or develop the land; and whether to preserve the ecological value or restore the aquaculture productivity become urgent arguments regarding future development in this border area.

This thesis aims to explore the development of a resilient landscape corridor across the Shen-Kong border to achieve the co-development of the environment and society. Viewing the landscape as a multifunctional and operative field with its own spatial, ecological and socio-cultural qualities (Nijhuis & Jauslin, 2015) can be a way to respond to the aforementioned phenomenon.

The thesis focuses on applying the theory of landscape infrastructure as a method in research and design to generate a resilient landscape framework that is considered armature for urban and rural development to facilitate interactions between natural and human systems (Nijhuis & Jauslin, 2015), projecting natural processes and performing multiple functions. Moreover, a methodology for designing towards a landscape framework is given in this thesis. Examples are provided to show the application of landscape infrastructure services and the assessment.

After 2020, the vendor economy has become a hot topic in China. Based on the background of the Chinese government's intention to support the vendor economy, its importance is gradually being emphasized. As an essential component of the informal economy, the vendor economy enhances urban employment and helps the urban poor groups and is an important part of China's urban life and traditional culture. At the same time, it poses increasingly apparent conflicts and problems, such as space abuse and hygiene issues.
This project analyzes the advantages of the vendor economy and the deep reasons for conflict. It proposes a strategy that preserves the benefits and addresses the disadvantages of the vendor economy. The design provides a better business environment for the participants, improves the quality of urban public space, and increases urban vitality while helping low-income people in the city. The research methodology and strategy development process will also provide the basis and inspiration for developing a good vendor economy in Chinese cities.

Steel is a widely used and very circular material, it can be recycled endlessly but that consumes a lot of energy, therefore, it is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Only 2% of this pollution is caused by production, the other 98% is caused by transportation during the production and recycling process. Half of the pollution caused by transport is by export en import of scrap metal from and to the port of Rotterdam to Asian and African countries, this also creates geo-dependency on non-EU countries for essential materials. We will use research through design approach, quantitative (LISA data and Openstreetmap data) and qualitative methods such as research on the steel cycle, scrapyard activities, stakeholders, and social and spatial environment. The main objective is to reduce the logistic effort by closing loops more locally by creating a network of bigger and smaller hubs and reinstalling makers- and manufacturing industries around the hubs in a symbiotic relationship. Hereby we aim to move metal recycling higher up in the R-ladder of circularity. Different socio-spatial, techno-economic and governmental strategies should make scrapyards more attractive and interesting locations and intertwine them more into the urban tissue. Hereford, they should attract makers- and manufacturing industries around the scrapyards to form a symbiosis in the use of metal and scrap metal. Simultaneously, this increases dutch manufacturing and increases the local economy and decreases geo-dependency. The end of the report provides a set of strategies that can be applied to scrapyards throughout the country to improve the locations and the network between them. This project can form a precedent, both for other bigger industrial or port cities in Europe, as well as for different material flows.