Human beings engage with architectural spaces both cognitively and emotionally, with research highlighting the significant impact of emotional experiences on health and well-being. As cities become increasingly urbanized, a notable absence of natural environments has raised concerns about a growing disconnection from nature. This gap manifests in both the quantity and quality of interactions with the natural world. The central challenge, then, is how to re-establish a meaningful connection to nature in urban settings.
This research aims to address two key objectives: first, to explore the environmental and emotional challenges posed by urbanization, and second, to develop a set of design principles and tools that empower architects and designers to create human-centered, emotionally resonant spaces.
In conclusion, emotional architecture offers a promising approach to mitigating the environmental and psychological impacts of urbanization. By engaging the senses, honoring local culture and climate, and integrating nature as a central design element, urban environments can be transformed into vibrant, restorative spaces that enhance both our well-being and our connection to the natural world creating an Urban Oais.

Dutch resettlement housing for refugees is stressed due to the ongoing refugee crisis. As a result, the quality of housing cannot always be guaranteed, with negative consequences in terms of wellbeing. Architects, therefore, need tools to better integrate well-being into resettlement housing. Biophilic design offers a solution to combine wellbeing and dwelling. However, the suitability of this design approach has not previously been tested for resettlement housing and its target group. By compiling a pattern language from literature and testing it with both case studies and the Dutch regulation framework, a toolkit has been created for architects. The suitability of applying biophilic design in Dutch resettlement housing has been shown. The toolkit contains principles for the different patterns as well as generic principles. To translate these principles into practical tools, they are supported by various tools. This way, the architect has the opportunity to properly integrate biophilic design for well-being into the design, raising the quality of resettlement housing.

This thesis investigates the degradation of the river ecosystem in Monterrey, located in northeastern Mexico, with a focus on the Río Santa Catarina. Historically a free-flowing river from the Sierra Madre Oriental to the Gulf of Mexico, the Río Santa Catarina is now often dry except during heavy rains or hurricanes, when it poses flood risks to the city. Human interventions, including concrete reinforcement of riverbanks and the construction of roads, have disconnected the river from Monterrey’s urban fabric and exacerbated water scarcity during dry seasons. These short-term flood control measures have degraded the river ecosystem, reflecting broader issues of biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification, and water scarcity.

Monterrey, situated in a semi-arid landscape and facing severe climate challenges, exemplifies the complex relationship between human societies and their natural environments. Historical changes have shifted the city’s relationship with its landscape from symbiotic to exploitative, driven by industrialization and rapid urbanization. This shift has led to a narrative that views the natural landscape as a problem to be managed rather than a resource to be nurtured.

This thesis highlights the significant opportunity for Monterrey to transform its approach to river management. By reimagining the Río Santa Catarina as a natural river park, the city can enhance flood control, restore ecological integrity, and foster community engagement. The proposed solutions are based on the Urban Ecology Design Approach (Tillie, 2024), which considers the urban ecosystem level, urban habitat level and the species level of Monterrey. The solutions are integrated in the watershed of the Santa Catarina River based on the Watershed Approach (Hooijmeijer et al., 2021) and promotes strategies for upstream water retention, midstream space allocation, and controlled downstream flow. Three site-specific designs illustrate these strategies, aiming to restore the river’s ecological balance and reconnect the community with the river.

While the issues faced by Monterrey’s river ecosystem are context-specific, they reflect global challenges of balancing flood control with ecological resilience. The methods and strategies developed in this thesis are broadly applicable to other regions facing similar environmental pressures.

This research preliminarily develops a framework based on the existing discourses on the theme of identity in architecture. This framework serves as a tool for analysing the “identity” of existing sites for which restoration is deemed necessary, as is the case for many post-war housing estates. The analysis results indicate areas of improvement, which then guide the redesign of a post-war apartment block. We demonstrate the framework’s application in a case study of a typical late post-war neighbourhood in the suburbs of Haarlem, Netherlands.

This study explores the Vernacular Architecture of the northeastern Indian State of Assam to develop a sustainable building model tailored to modern societal demands. Over two months, field research was conducted, including analysis of traditional Assamese buildings and interviews with local residents. The research highlights the climate-responsive features of indigenous structures, such as natural ventilation and use of local materials like bamboo and clay. In contrast, contemporary constructions using concrete and steel often fail to address the region's climatic challenges, leading to increased environmental impact and inadequate living conditions. By integrating traditional practices with modern techniques and a more innovative utilization of local resources, the proposed model of Contemporary Vernacular Architecture (CVA) aims to create resilient, culturally relevant, and environmentally sustainable buildings, fostering a balance between nature and people.
Based on the CVA model, a structural system was developed that responds to the local context of Assam while considering socio-cultural desires. In the next step, the structural system was adapted to the specific needs of the Akshar school in Guwahati. Merging the CVA model with the specific needs of the school led to the design of a dorm and workshop. The project aims to inspire the next generation of Assamese youth to become more aware of the potential around them and within themselves.

Peatlands are a rare landscape that only covers over 3% of the world’s land mass, but store nearly 30% of all soil carbon (Brooks, 2019). Peat oxidation, driven by the drainage of these wetlands for agricultural purposes, poses a severe threat to the ecological integrity of Friesland’s low midlands. Additionally, it leads to water management challenges, such as water shortages in higher areas and flooding in lower regions. The concept of a circular economy offers a promising solution to this complex problem. By transitioning from a linear model of production and consumption to one focused on reuse, recycling, and minimizing waste, the circular economy aims to reduce pressure on natural resources and mitigate environmental degradation. In the context of Friesland’s peatlands, embracing circular agricultural practices could offer a sustainable approach to relieve peat oxidation.

To determine if circular agriculture practices will alleviate peat oxidation in Friesland’s low midlands, the research question follows: What is the spatial framework based on circular agriculture to relieve peat oxidation in the ‘low midlands’ in Friesland, the Netherlands? With the sub questions: What are the characteristics of the peat landscapes in the low midlands, Friesland, the Netherlands? What agriculture practices have the potential of relieving peat oxidation? What is the relation of the agriculture practices that relieve peat oxidation to the circular agriculture system?

Development of the framework is done by looking into literature review, interviews with stakeholders and expert, and testing the implications of the findings through design research. Through this structured approach, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between peatlands, agricultural practices, and circular economy principles, with the goal of proposing sustainable solutions for preserving the ecosystems of Friesland’s low midlands.

In conclusion, the spatial framework involves an integrated approach combining water management, circular crop and livestock practices, community engagement, and integrating peat ecotypes within the agricultural system.

Maintaining higher water levels in peatlands is crucial to reducing peat oxidation. Circular crop practices include cultivating crops such as Reed, Cattail, and Willow, which thrive in wet conditions and originate from peat landscapes, thus preventing peat oxidation. These practices also support circular livestock practices in combination with strip grazing and flooding to maintain soil health. By reintroducing wooded banks and flooding in the agricultural landscape, traditional practices are preserved and the connection between the local community, nature, and the agricultural landscape is enhanced. A green corridor acts as a vital ecological link between Natura2000 areas ensuring that species can migrate and disperse. The local community plays a vital role in implementing and sustaining this circular agriculture system. The integration of agricultural products for housing materials or biogas creates a strong bond between the community and the landscape. Surplus products are distributed nationally and internationally, broadening market reach and economic benefits.

The study recommends expanding the range of agricultural practices suitable for high-water table environments, further research to understand the impact of different crops on specific peat strata, and investigating the detailed effects of the proposed dairy cattle system.

Monterrey (Mexico), situated in a semi-arid climate, confronts a several challenges because of rapid urbanization, such as droughts, floods, health issues and heat. The urban expansion resulted in higher vulnerability to climatic and political happenings. To navigate these multiple complexities, a comprehensive strategy is imperative. This study presents an integrative model of nature-inclusive urban agriculture, conceived to address the intricate interplay of ecological, water, and social dynamics within the urban fabric. Incorporating the implementation of heritage crops and techniques to strengthen the connection between humans, nature, and food production. The method used involves a multi-level approach, combining both bottom-up and top-down approaches. Through a case study in Monterrey, this model is refined into a more detailed toolbox, and applied in various locations across the city. Three distinct foodscapes are designed with the use of this toolbox, strategically positioned across the cityscape to maximize resilience. This toolbox goes beyond just geographical limits. It provides useful ideas and methods that can work for places dealing with similar challenges in (semi-)arid climates. By bringing together views from different regions and involving people at different levels, this approach helps communities adapt and become more resilient in changing environmental situations. This research doesn’t just add to academic discussions but also gives real solutions that can have a big impact on making cities more resilient and sustainable in semi-arid areas around the world.

Climate change is leading to an increased probability of flooding of coastal areas. This creates a major problem especially in developing countries. The communities in the coastal area can take little or no measures against sudden climate disasters such as storms and floods.
Suriname is one of these developing countries. Most of the population lives in the coastal area. In many places, the coastal protection cannot withstand climate problems such as sea level rise and is therefore more prone to storms and floods.
Protection from the sea consists mainly of a natural dike of mangrove forests. In their natural state, the trees retain sediment from and thus grow with the sea level. They also form a nutrient-rich ecosystem on which humans and animals depend.
Parties affected by the mangrove forests no longer know how to interact with the environment in a healthy way and live at the expense of the forests. There are communities in the areas, such as the indigenous tribal communities, who have knowledge on how to interact with the forests in a sustainable way. However, the groups have hardly any rights, are not taken serious and are constantly deprived of their living areas.
As a result, these forests are rapidly decreasing and can no longer provide proper protection for people, animals and the areas behind.
Many residents fear eroding coastlines and no longer trust mangrove forests. They lobby for sea dykes but there is little money for this in Suriname. Besides, these dykes have to be maintained and heightened all the time after construction and there is no money for this either.
This thesis, Mangrove Marvels, will focus on the relationship between humans and the mangrove landscape. The aim is to develop a toolbox of design principles that serve as guidelines for sustainable handling of this ecosystem. By applying these design principles, mangroves will have the opportunity to recover and be able to fulfil their crucial role in protecting the landscape.

The primary focus of this thesis is the agricultural sector and its sustainability in the rural region surrounding Lelystad, located in Oostelijk Flevoland. The research highlights the importance of maintaining healthy biodiversity in agricultural environments, which can help mitigate negative impacts from factors such as pests, climate change, and pollution. The specific area of interest faces numerous challenges such as climate change, groundwater salinization, drought, and a lack of agroecology and ecology. These challenges are a result of a landscape with distinct agricultural and natural areas. The objective of this research is to develop an integrated approach for a nature-inclusive and future-proof agricultural sector, based on the Farm of the Future area in Lelystad. The tools developed during this research can be implemented in other regions with a focus on connecting farmers and citizens for an integrated landscape.

The central research question of this thesis is: ‘Which landscape architectural strategies could be used to increase the effectiveness of ecological infrastructure in rural areas to connect landscapes, promote functional agrobiodiversity, and restore biodiversity?’ The research methods used include data collection, literature review, site visits, a design case study, and interviews. The thesis emphasizes three main themes: nature, water, and the connection between farmers and citizens. The proposed strategies include strengthening the green network, promoting nature-inclusive agriculture, and water retention. However, the specific challenges and opportunities of the Lelystad area require tailored solutions, and the proposed strategies are not directly transferable to other areas. Further feasibility studies and analysis are necessary, along with research into revenue models for farmers who switch to nature-inclusive agriculture.

By integrating these landscape architectural strategies, a rural landscape can be created that not only enhances agricultural biodiversity but also addresses climate issues and restores the relationship between farmers and citizens. This will result in a future-proof agricultural landscape that can sustainably support the needs of the community.

The challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change put Dutch cities under pressure, necessitating a transition towards nature-inclusive urban environments. In pre-war working-class neighborhoods, however, the lack of access to urban green spaces hampers appreciation for nature, resulting in a negative feedback loop that prohibits nature-inclusive, bottom-up action. This research proposes a transition strategy to empower residents to take ownership of public space and initiate a transition towards nature inclusivity.

To guide this process, two sets of design principles were constructed. The first set establishes what an optimal consideration for ecology in pre-war working-class neighborhoods would entail. The second set revolves around empowering citizens to take ownership of public space. To examine the effectiveness of these design principles, the neighborhood Lombok in Utrecht was utilized as a design case. The findings of this design exploration highlight the impact small local initiatives could have on urban ecology as well as the well-being of residents. Following this, two design scenarios were elaborated to demonstrate that, despite the spatial restrictions of pre-war working-class neighborhoods, nature inclusivity could be achieved in a variety of ways.

Because of the urgent need for nature inclusivity in many pre-war working-class neighborhoods, the utilization of this approach could greatly improve the ecological resilience of many Dutch urban ecosystems.

In response to the need for robust and extensive green infrastructure in Monterrey, Mexico, this thesis will explore the potentialities of upscaling urban forestry and regional afforestation as a solution. The metropolitan area of Monterrey, and it’s urban landscape morphology, is facing severe environmental pressures shaped by a conflict between powerful natural forces, such as extreme weather events and deforestation, and turbulent human activities, such as urban expansion and poor management of natural areas. This results in an inaccessible, fragmented natural landscape. This thesis will define forest types suitable for arid climates, assess which ecosystems services an afforestation plan will deliver, and design strategies for sustainable, long-term green-blue infrastructures. The project’s results contribute to enhancing ecosystem services, defragmenting the natural landscape, and harmonizing the relationship between people and nature. The research also identifies the key challenges and barriers to expanding Monterrey’s green network, by creating a value map, and proposing design interventions for overcoming them. These findings will emphasize the potential of regional afforestation in arid urban landscapes and underscore the significance of ecosystem-based adaptation. Finally, this thesis proposes an evolutionary framework to find the potential capacities to connect Monterrey’s landscape patches with the natural protected areas.

This thesis addresses the spatial strategy for designing green and blue infrastructure in the metropolitan area of Monterrey (MAM), responding to the increasing environmental impacts of climate change. Droughts and heat waves in the MAM are already affecting residents, causing heat stress and water scarcity. These challenges can be mitigated through the implementation of green and blue infrastructure within the city.
The main research question is: “What spatial strategy can be used to implement green and blue infrastructure in order to tackle droughts and heat stress in the metropolitan area of Monterrey?” By doing so, the thesis aims to enhance both the ecological improvement and the quality of public space to improve residents' quality of life.
Initially, the study focuses on understanding the natural systems in and around the MAM. An integrated approach analyzes terrain, water structures, soil, vegetation, and ecosystems to create landscape and ecological design principles as the foundation for green and blue infrastructure.
Subsequently, new design principles are derived to mitigate heat stress and drought in the MAM, emphasizing the restoration of ecological balance through the creation of an ecological mosaic consisting of green patches and corridors connecting them.
Specific strategies, such as the 300-meter rule for green space accessibility, are tested and implemented to transform urban areas into a network of recreational green spaces and green corridors.
The case study focuses on San Bernabé, chosen for its significant socio-economic and environmental challenges. By leveraging the watershed beneath this district as a foundation, the strategy integrates upstream water storage and downstream water retention. Therefore, six green and blue infrastructure principles guide the spatial design for San Bernabé, emphasizing upstream water storage and collection in reservoirs and downstream cooling and retention with continuous flowing streams and vegetation.
The resulting metropolitan vision, spatial design, and detailed plans and a phasing program, envisions a transformed urban landscape with increased accessible green spaces and corridors supported by sustainable water resources. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate the increasing environmental challenges Monterrey is facing.

As the accelerating climate change has its effect on the frequency and intensity of rainfalls and the rising sea level, more interventions need to be taken to protect our cities from unpredictable floods and droughts. Therefore, adjusting and transforming our current existing city structure to an inclusive water-retaining system city structure with a healthy living environment has to become a priority when shaping our future-proof city. Our cities should have a sponge function that allows the building to absorb and release water when needed. Unfortunetly, among people there still is lack of awareness when it comes to sustainable water re-use and collective water management. The question that remains is how we can motivate all stakeholders, to work together on collective water management as the people with a low income will not have the capacity to invest but might be willling to help maintaining this system. Research about the integration of sustainable urban drainage systems on three different scales is created (landscape scale, urban square scale and social building scale) that can be used to help guide designers and planners tackle the water problem areas and still be able to build in floodable areas while reducing the safety risk of people living there. The motivating factor on how to stimulate people for water saving habits is here of essence. Using water as visual element in design, might help bring on the idea of how water could be re-used, while it also helps to bond people. Biomimicry and biophilia contribute to the creation of these building typologies, that visually and physically influence our well-being, and are aspects that are both visual pleasant design principles that help create understanding. These three topics could be combined using water as a connecting bridge, which led to the following research question: “How can the qualities and potentials of natural water cycles be embedded in our current city structure to connect water, nature, and buildings on different scales by translating research about biomimicry, biophilia and water sensitive design interventions into a design approach for an existing area?” The aim of the design is then to optimize the existing city structure regarding water conservation and revitilize the current living environment to a healthier habitat that benefits inhabitants on multiple aspects. From the research and design process, it has become clear that it is quite a challenge to intergate water sustainable systems where people can have interaction with, but the design approach has showed that it is possible to implement the technical interventions in an aesthetical, but convincing way, without disrupting the overall design and could even lead to innovative new design ideas. The design is hereby used as a translation tool to address communities on how to become sustainable on indoor and outdoor level. By using different design criteria that can be applied to each location with a unique approach, the research becomes generic but is still location specific. And since the existing areas that are facing floods and drought are being transformed into interconnecting spheres of water retainment, a deeper connection to nature is created. Looking at all the interventions that need to be built and integrated it would cost a lot of investments to be able to build water resilient buildings that function as a sponge. Stakeholders need to be convinced of the long term benefits the building would generate for them, like insurances. It turns out that you have to use smart tricks, like using cheap and local building materials that would outweight the costs of the sustainable urban drainage systems. By focussing on the small sustainable technical water re-use improvenemts, it can help to strenghen our environment regarding flood risk reduction is therefore of imporance as it brings a more positive glance of the future and encourages people to think of creative outcomes.

Living informally in a former Surabaya municipal landfill and situated close to the Wonokromo River, lower-income groups face complex challenges, including limited access to clean water, a deteriorated living ecosystem, and threats of eviction and climate change. Groundwater pollution from leachate, inaccessibility to municipal water utilities due to a lack of formal land ownership, and polluted river water have left these communities struggling for nearly ten years to obtain access to basic water needs. Coupled with climate change, they also face water-related risks such as urban floods, river floods, water scarcity, rising urban temperatures, and food production loss.
The project proposes a retrofit strategy for Surabaya’s water system at both the household and kampung scales. It aims to adapt water into circular economy principles by exploring rainwater as an alternative water source, designing out waste and reusing resources through wastewater and stormwater management, and regenerating natural ecosystems through water infiltration and groundwater recharge.
The approach employs nature-based solutions (NBS), balancing blue and green infrastructure with biobased materials and low-tech solutions designed to be implemented by local communities. At the urban and landscape scale, the design includes creating a buffer zone by stepping back from the river edge to restore the river’s original function and provide flood protection for the community. At the housing level, retrofit strategies involve harvesting rainwater and adding lightweight bamboo structures to create two-story houses, with the upper level serving as a flood shelter. At the community level, each household is equipped with shared gutters, rain barrels, water purification systems, and a water point square featuring a rainwater tap module, infiltration pond, and water storage for the dry season.
This project delivers a set of strategies for retrofitting the kampung’s water system in Surabaya at macro (kampung), meso (street kampung), and micro (household) scales. It aims to make these vulnerable groups self-sufficient, enhance their health and wellbeing, and help them contribute to the recovery of their living ecosystem.

The graduation project within the field of Urbanism investigates the impact of urban environments on personal and ecological well-being, with a focus on the decreasing quality of life in cities due to the diminishing urban green spaces resulting from growing urbanisation and densification. Moreover, the project highlights the importance of natural environments in mitigating daily stresses and the consequences of climate change. Therefore, preserving and enhancing urban nature at all scales is vital.

As part of the study, the pattern language “Restoration with Urban Nature” was developed to create design principles for improving personal and ecological well-being. The pattern language is organized into six categories that provide overarching, general patterns as well as suggestions related to activity, environment, senses, and implementation. Additionally, it contains a few “bonus patterns”.
Resulting from the pattern language, design principles are applied to the design location Moabit West in Berlin and then transferred to two other areas in Berlin: Helmholtzkiez and Flughafenkiez. A co-creation workshop with stakeholders from the first design location was also held to test the pattern language and ensure a participatory design process. Furthermore, the project utilises ecosystem services and parameters of restoration to evaluate the effectiveness of the design principles.

The results of the study provide insights into how urban design can improve personal and ecological well-being in urban areas by creating restorative environments with a focus on urban nature. Thus, an integrated approach that considers the various needs of humans and natural systems is needed to improve restoration and the provision of ecosystem services in Berlin and other urban contexts.

As personal and ecological well-being are strongly related, social-ecological urbanism holds high potential for cities. Consequently, the thesis contributes to the development of sustainable urban design strategies that prioritise the preservation and enhancement of urban nature for the benefit of both residents and the environment.
The findings are relevant for urban planners, designers, and policymakers who seek to create health-promoting and climate-adaptive urban environments. In order to implement the developed principles, raised awareness of the urgency of the topic is needed among all stakeholders. Furthermore, interdisciplinary cooperation fosters the successful development of restorative environments.

Finally, with its versatile green structure, the city of Berlin holds high potential for providing restoration and ecosystem services. The challenge lies in discovering and valuing those potentials.

The city Winnipeg, built on the wet prairie, has been threatened by severe flooding for decades. The initial decision to build the city at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers led to the inevitable consequence of recurrent natural flooding. The floods prompted the provincial government to take a series of flood control structural measures to prevent the city property. However, the waterlogging crisis has still not subsided.

During the significant territorial transformations in the last two centuries, the rivers and creeks have been heavily dammed and channelized. The hasty attempt at city development resulted in immediate economic benefits, but at the expense of eliminating the land’s ability to drain water through naturally occurring streams and coulees. Due to environmental impacts on a wider geographical scale, most notably climate change, both floods and droughts are hitting the extremes, which is escalating the challenge on flood management.

One of the main obstacles in this project is to solve the problem of threatening floodwaters and turn the negative impacts into the opportunities for a more sustainable lifestyle. Tracing back to last century, the indigenous peoples of the plains used to share a mutually beneficial living pattern with beavers and other species on the prairies. This coexistence approach towards humans, wildlife and nature deserves an opportunity to be brought back to Winnipeg. Through flood-mitigation measures based on natural processes, the urban hydrologic system is anticipated to move toward sustainable development and provide fairness and reliability to the living environment and urban ecosystems in response to challenges posed by habitat loss, climate change, and emerging conservation issues.

The Netherlands, primarily a Delta nation, is confronted with significant challenges in adapting to the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. And the urgency to prepare for a significant climate change is more than ever, now 9 years after the Paris agreement, the feasibility to keep to the agreement of 1,5 degree is shaky. The pressures of climate change, rising sea levels, increased demands on limited freshwater supplies, and more frequent extreme weather events are exposing the limitations of human control over the environment (Meyer, 2014).
Traditionally, the delta has been a dynamic landscape shaped by tides, wind, and currents. However, over the centuries, human intervention has increasingly dominated and transformed this landscape, leading to reduced dynamics, adaptability and biodiversity. The dynamic landscape is mechanically controlled with dikes, dams, sluices, and pumps. These highlights of water engineering make the Netherlands considered a pioneer in water management and flood protection. But to keep this postion we need to adapt and react on the changing future a head.

The human utilization of the delta aligns with the prevalent anthropocentric worldview, where nature is perceived as serving the direct or indirect needs of humans. This exploitative attitude towards the natural world has resulted in negative consequences, as we are currently witnessing. Nevertheless, there is a shift in this perspective, with two-thirds of the Dutch population considering themselves part of nature and feeling a responsibility to care for it. This view is a combination between the roles of stewardship and participant. (Schouten, 2013).

This master thesis has explored the research question of what the return to a (semi-) open delta would mean for the green-blue network of Schouwen-Duivenland, and what spatial framework and guiding design principles would be necessary to sustain and upgrade both the green-blue networks and livability, now and in the future.

By conducting a comprehensive analysis at the delta scale, this study identifies 6 key challenges: water safety, sediment deficiency (zandhonger), biodiversity loss, water quality, and saltwater intrusion. A more focused analysis at the island scale enables the exploration of solutions to these challenges and the establishment of design principles.
The proposed design principles, guided by a nature-based solutions approach, highlight the fundamental importance of soil and water. These principles address challenges posed by agriculture, urbanization, water management, and climate change, aiming to create a resilient and nature-inclusive environment. To facilitate their implementation in different contexts, the design principles have been transformed into practical pattern cards, offering clear and practical guidance.

In conclusion, this master thesis has provided valuable insights into the potential benefits and spatial implications of returning to a (semi-) open delta for Schouwen-Duivenland. The research highlights the importance of integrating green-blue infrastructure, ecological considerations, and livability aspects to create a resilient and thriving environment for both nature and people. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers, urbanists, landscape architects and researchers in the pursuit of a sustainable and nature-inclusive delta landscape.

In urban areas, river courses have often been modified to a large extent to meet human needs. This modification has led to a decrease in ecological quality and biodiversity at both local and regional scales. Berlin is an example of a city with substantially modified rivers and decreased biodiversity. Rivers have been modified the most in dense neighborhoods near the city center. There is a need to improve urban river ecosystems in the context of a nationwide and worldwide decrease in biodiversity. The importance of urban green spaces increases for people in cities as well in the context of climate change. However, green spaces and their benefits are not equally distributed throughout the city, with socio-economically disadvantaged people generally having poorer access to green spaces and suffering more from environmental stress factors, such as noise pollution and heat stress. This environmental justice problem can be mitigated by making neighborhoods greener, but open space is often rather limited in the city. Therefore, this graduation project aimed to improve the ecological value of rivers and environmental justice simultaneously with ecological design for existing green spaces. The project focuses on the Panke River, a highly modified river that flows through neighborhoods with a substantial environmental justice problem. Design principles have been formulated based on scientific theory about ecological design and design for equitable green space access. These principles were combined in a design vision for a small area along the Panke River in the district Gesundbrunnen. The resulting design showed that it is possible to significantly improve both the ecological value of river ecosystems and environmental justice with ecological design for existing green spaces. The Panke River can be both an ecological corridor and a green structure that connects neighborhoods. The diverse riverbank landscape with an alternation of ecological and recreational focus areas is a high-quality public green space with improved ecological quality.

Assam is the second largest habitat for Asian Elephants. The systematic habitat destruction and fragmentation on the pretext of agricultural expansion, settlement growth and infrastructural development had rendered the state as hotspot for human-elephant conflicts, claiming as many as 300 elephant lives in the past decade. The diminishing forest habitat has compelled this mega-herbivorous species to venture into human settlements and agricultural fields for their survival in search of food and water. Although tea gardens act extended forest system, elephants are face violent resistance in agricultural fields around it. The challenges posed by climate change on the landscape excarcebate the conflict. Projections indicate that the growing suitability of the North Bank region for tea cultivation by 2050 will exert immense pressure and fragmentation on elephant habitats resulting in further amplification of conflict. The project “Blurring the boundaries: Making way for elephants” investigates the relationship of people with their landscape and results in developing a comprehensive toolbox of climate adaptive agricultural strategies that can be incorporated across various contextual settings of human and elephant habitats by examining the possibilities of collaboration between human and elephant habitats.

Air pollution poses a significant threat to human health globally, with Southeast Asia being one of the most affected regions. Chiang Mai, as the largest cultivated area in northern Thailand, faces severe haze pollution due to traditional farming practices, especially during the burning season. As urban areas encroach upon agricultural land and farmers increasingly turn to forests for land and resources, the pollution situation is intensifying in the negative way.

The thesis proposes a comprehensive strategic spatial framework which applied a multi-layered approach, including policy, social, and natural layers, to control pollution sources in agriculture and forest area and to eliminate air pollution that has already been generated in urban area. Envision a harmonious landscape where regenerative forests, integrated agriculture, and a haze-free environment synergistically contribute to refreshing the city. The thesis outlines pilot projects selected from rural and urban areas, which will be implemented and further elaborated with strategies and involve with site-specific intervention, aiming at achieving the goal of mitigating air pollution. These pilot projects will serve as models for surrounding areas facing similar challenges.

The ultimate aim is to transform agricultural areas into sustainable systems through the implementation of agroforestry practices, foster self-sufficiency within communities through urban farming initiatives, and promote a self-circulating urban environment through urban greening efforts. With synthesis of all systems, the existing fragmentation with be filled with green infrastructure throughout the entire area. By adopting this comprehensive strategic framework, Chiang Mai can address air pollution issues, promote sustainable land use practices, and create resilient landscapes that improve the well-being and quality of life for its residents.