Biodiversity in the city

Abstract

This thesis explores expanding human-centered design to a more-than-human approach to enhance biodiversity in the neighbourhood Oud-Mathenesse in Rotterdam, focusing on the shared gardens. The research uses symbiosis as a lens, aiming to improve coexistence between humans and urban nature. Oud-Mathenesse faces declining social cohesion, which among other things, furthers the disconnect between people and nature.

The envisioned symbiotic cities emphasize rebuilding a sense of community and shared feeling of ownership over the garden. However, the initial step is to strengthen connections among residents by envisioning the future of the garden while acknowledging our historical roots. The final intervention—a participatory installation—highlights commonalities between residents and urban nature, encouraging contributions to the local environment and fostering symbiotic interactions.

The research outlines three key strategies for a more-than-human design approach. First by prioritizing the relationships between humans, nature, and the environment, secondly by adopting a historical perspective to understand past human-nature interactions and by drawing inspiration from symbiotic future visions for a more inclusive and sustainable world. These strategies were compiled into a card deck to inspire other designers. While human-centered design remains dominant, the current environmental crises necessitate incorporating non-human elements into the design process. Although this approach is still emerging, further research and experimentation are needed to achieve true inclusivity.