Food studies are an increasingly prominent field of study for studying various socioeconomic processes in the urban environment. This paper explores the sociocultural usage of food studies through...Show moreFood studies are an increasingly prominent field of study for studying various socioeconomic processes in the urban environment. This paper explores the sociocultural usage of food studies through the study of foodscapes. Food is not merely a source of sustenance, but can also function as a method of expressing or experiencing a sense of identity. Foodscapes, which concern the manner in which people relate to the food they consume, is thus an important concept for sociocultural food studies. Foodscapes are additionally one of the major factors able to contribute to a distinctly urban sense of identity, but are as of yet understudied. This thesis will explore the relation between a city’s foodscape and the feeling of urban identity through the lens of Rotterdam’s Cape Verdean community, using semi-structured interviews.Show less
The following thesis incorporated and developed a unified framework based on the theories of Henri Lefebvre and Frantz Fanon to amplify existing scholarship’s narratives and offer a new perspective...Show moreThe following thesis incorporated and developed a unified framework based on the theories of Henri Lefebvre and Frantz Fanon to amplify existing scholarship’s narratives and offer a new perspective and method of assessing the historical experience of urban spaces, with the primary case study of Seneca Village. The identified crossovers between Lefebvre’s theory of “Production of Space” and Frantz Fanon’s theory of “Decolonization”, formed the backbone of the unified framework, which was applied to a series of publicly available, digitalised primary sources from municipal archives of New York City. The topographical maps, population census, report, newspapers, and political posters analysed through the unified framework have provided several conclusions. Firstly, the historical experience of Seneca strongly coincides with the physical and representational violence in the form of the material destruction of the village and inducing social barriers to isolate the African American community of Seneca Village from the general social fabric of the city. Secondly, the power specialisation within Seneca falls in between the dwellers of the village and the Board of Commissioners for Central Park. Through the legitimization of authority, the Board of Commissioners have expanded their overarching control of the space of the village and subjected it to manipulations beneficial to the board itself. Hence, it formed a one-sided power dynamic at the expense of the village’s dwellers. Thirdly, the paradoxical conundrum was identified where authority, granting freedom through the 1799 Gradual Slavery Abolishment Act, continued to establish discriminatory practices against the Seneca’s dwellers through manipulation and redefinition of the space; developing further injustice in the matter. In conclusion, the application of the unified framework in supplement to existing scholarship has put forward a new, theoretical perspective on re-assessing the historical experience of Seneca Village.Show less
This thesis will evaluate cycling policies implemented by the City of San Francisco. It will provide insight into the question: “How does the City of San Francisco encourage its citizens to cycle?”...Show moreThis thesis will evaluate cycling policies implemented by the City of San Francisco. It will provide insight into the question: “How does the City of San Francisco encourage its citizens to cycle?”. The research method employed is a critical analysis of policy documents and complementary documentation, involving information on the websites of local governments, online newspaper articles and blogs about cycling policies in San Francisco. Moreover, the topic will be placed in a broader context: a literature review on successful European models will be conducted to identify best practices that can be incorporated in San Francisco’s bicycling strategy to further encourage cycling. Possible obstacles that may hinder the application of European models will also be discussed briefly. Currently, San Francisco is mainly focusing on the provision of cycling infrastructure, but neglects the importance of a multi-faceted approach including measures that reduce the attractiveness of car usage, as implemented in successful European models.Show less
In recent years, the effects of climate change and global warming have become more apparent. The cause and solutions thereof lie within cities. A solution that has an important and prominent role...Show moreIn recent years, the effects of climate change and global warming have become more apparent. The cause and solutions thereof lie within cities. A solution that has an important and prominent role is the implementation of more urban greenery. Urban greenery cools down the city, thereby ameliorating the Urban Heat Island effect. Furthermore, urban greenery has the ability to sequester carbon, makes the city have a nicer and healthier appearance, and has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of city dwellers. Urban greenery consists of large-scale and small-scale greenery. Large-scale can be understood as urban parks and forests, whereas small-scale is in the sense of gardening, such as tree border gardens and façade gardens. The focus of this thesis lies on the latter of these types of greenery. Specifically, on façade gardens, the implementation thereof, and the factors that influence this implementation. With use of literature and database research, structured observations, and a questionnaire, the main factors that influence the implementation of façade gardens in the city of Leiden was researched. It was discovered that the four main reasons are the structure of the neighbourhood, personal interests of inhabitants and their academic attainment level, information provisioning, and proximity to public parks.Show less
This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of belonging among members of the Jewish-Ukrainian diasporic community in Hannover. Using a qualitative methodology, seven interviews were...Show moreThis paper explores the perceptions and experiences of belonging among members of the Jewish-Ukrainian diasporic community in Hannover. Using a qualitative methodology, seven interviews were conducted with participants across different age groups, and the data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Through the study, several key themes were identified, such as the context of Jewish identity in Soviet Ukraine and Germany, as well as the role of Hannover in shaping the community's sense of belonging. That includes the influence of the local Jewish community (“Gemeinde”), Russian-language institutions, and the dynamic changes within the city due to the influx of Ukrainian refugees and the emergence of Ukrainian cultural events. The findings highlight the multi-layered nature of belonging, influenced not only by top-down politics of belonging and cultural institutions, but also by language, and sensory experiences such as music. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how diasporic belongings are navigated and maintained within urban settings.Show less
While research about the benefits of green roofs is increasingly common, it usually compares it to other urban green space in a positive manner, showing that green roofs provide similar benefits....Show moreWhile research about the benefits of green roofs is increasingly common, it usually compares it to other urban green space in a positive manner, showing that green roofs provide similar benefits. However, research about the differences is still lacking, especially regarding accessibility. Rooftop parks have unique barriers not found in ground-level parks, such as being out of sight and having to go through a building to enter it. These barriers might affect the way people use rooftop parks for their recreation. This thesis aimed to find out if rooftop parks are used differently compared to ground-level parks. Visitors of two rooftop parks and three ground-level parks in Rotterdam were asked for their opinions and experiences. The expected barriers of rooftop parks can be found in the Hofbogen Luchtpark, which reduces its park usage, but this also created a unique space for different groups of park users to visit. The Dakpark on the other hand has managed to circumvent most of the barriers, offering an accessible and well-used park to the neighbourhood.Show less
This thesis investigates the effect of Vondelpark's urban architecture on women's perceptions of safety at night. While green areas have been shown to improve people's lives in a variety of ways,...Show moreThis thesis investigates the effect of Vondelpark's urban architecture on women's perceptions of safety at night. While green areas have been shown to improve people's lives in a variety of ways, women use them less due to feelings of unsafety. By examining visibility, maintenance, cleanliness, external protection, other park users, and mobility facilities, this study attempts to identify the most critical elements contributing to this increased sense of unsafety. Using primary and secondary literature, a theoretical framework was developed that looks further into perceived safety and the park components that impact it. Also, through semi-structured interviews, where women were questioned about the relevance of these elements, utilizing voluntary response sampling (N=5), more in-depth accounts about women's subjective safety emerged. After examining many methodologies, this thesis concludes that visibility, external protection, and other park users are the most important elements impacting women's experienced safety at night at Vondelpark.Show less
This thesis investigates the fundamental right of children to play in urban environments, focusing on the interactions between children's playful practices and the decisions of urban planners and...Show moreThis thesis investigates the fundamental right of children to play in urban environments, focusing on the interactions between children's playful practices and the decisions of urban planners and policy makers, using the city of The Hague as a case study. Central to the research is the question: How does the provision for and management of play spaces in The Hague reflect and impact children's claims to public space through playful activities? Taking a qualitative approach and supported by a theoretical framework centred around the concepts of ‘right to the city’, ‘informal play', and ‘prefigurative politics’, the study evaluates The Hague's approach to children's play. Findings reveal that the municipality understands what constitutes a play-friendly city, but its consideration of informal play opportunities still lags behind that of designated play environments. Efforts to incorporate children's perspectives are evident, yet mainly come in the form of formal participatory methods and lack direct engagement with children's play practices. The thesis argues that this current approach undermines the agency of children and favours an approach to play that is more considerate of children's prefigurative activities. Additionally, the effects of the Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act) on the Dutch debate on children's play are examined. While the introduction of the act holds potential for positive change, it also presents challenges, such as ensuring that children's voices are heard, and their rights are protected. The research underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to guarantee the alignment of urban planning with children's needs and preferences for play.Show less
This thesis explores the role of young Estonians in shaping the future of Linnahall, an abandoned building in Tallinn, within a post-Soviet context. The main research focuses on how the...Show moreThis thesis explores the role of young Estonians in shaping the future of Linnahall, an abandoned building in Tallinn, within a post-Soviet context. The main research focuses on how the perspectives of Estonian youth on national identity, historical memory, and urban heritage influence the potential redevelopment of Linnahall, given that this generation never lived during the post-Soviet occupation. The findings are drawn upon systematic research of related academic literature. Then, through critical discourse analysis of Estonian local media sources and semi-structured interviews with Tallinn youth, the study investigates generational shifts in perception towards post-Soviet abandoned architecture in Estonia, using Linnahall as a case study. The study aims to understand how memories, nostalgia, and national identity of young Estonians can impact the future of decaying Linnahall and which discourses influence their opinions and views on post-socialist abandoned architecture. The paper discovered that young Estonians appropriated Linnahall’s rooftop as a public space for hangouts to escape the rules and restrictions of other urban areas in the city. They did not have any intergenerational or nostalgic memories connected to the building or the Soviet times when it was built but rather valued Linnahall as a cultural building. Personal connection and reappropriation of the building, lack of emotional connection to Soviet occupation, and forming national identity were highlighted as the main influences in views on Linnahall’s future.Show less
This thesis explores how the dystopian movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), a prequel to The Hunger Games movie series, influences the cultures and thus the characters’ cultural...Show moreThis thesis explores how the dystopian movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), a prequel to The Hunger Games movie series, influences the cultures and thus the characters’ cultural identities in the city of the Capitol and the districts. Starting with reviewing the relevant literature on the four original movies and additional literature to use as a framework for the movie analysis, this research aims to fill the gap in existing scholarship by analysing the prequel within the context of cultural representation and urban dystopia. The narrative in the films unfolds in the country of Panem, a future version of the United States of America, where the government in the Capitol exerts oppressive control over twelve districts through the annual Hunger Games. By employing a narrative approach and close reading of key scenes, this paper first places the prequel in a wider context of dystopian fiction and explores the urban dystopia in the Capitol and districts. Second, concepts like Appalachian culture, food, power, and gender are explored considering the prequel. Lastly, the two themes of dystopia and culture are connected in the last chapter. Comparing and contrasting the prequel to the original movies and the contemporary USA through the literature, the dystopian quality of the movie is connected to the cityscapes and governing system, which successively influences the cultures and cultural identities of the characters.Show less
This research paper will analyze the connection between La-Di-Da, a biodegradable housing initiative and their potential uses of green branding to communicate their sustainable practices. Green...Show moreThis research paper will analyze the connection between La-Di-Da, a biodegradable housing initiative and their potential uses of green branding to communicate their sustainable practices. Green branding refers to the incorporation of sustainable values and practices within marketing efforts. To complete this research, a discourse analysis of La-Di-Da’s media presence will be conducted to examine their use of media as a platform for green branding. Their use of media platforms include, digital media, social media and print media. Interviews were also conducted with one of the project developers, as well as with two students of the Royal Academy of Art (KABK), who are students of La-Di-Da’s project developer and have participated in various events hosted by La-Di-Da. These findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of La-Di-Da’s commitment to sustainability as well as to green branding. The analysis of the media shows various uses of green branding characteristics with minimal reliance on promotional advertisement as a method of green branding. The interview demonstrated sustainable practices, eliminating any potential factors of greenwashing, thereby effectively enabling green branding. Interviews with the students highlighted external perspectives of La-Di-Da’s green branding characteristics and promotions. The study concludes that La-Di-Da employs diverse aspects of green branding characteristics, focusing more on educational and informative communication rather than promotional commercials. This is important to research as it delves into understanding how green branding is incorporated within sustainable housing initiatives.Show less
A healthy soil life often forms the foundations for a healthy environment. In addition to this, it provides many ecosystem services such as heat reduction and flood protection. These benefits soil...Show moreA healthy soil life often forms the foundations for a healthy environment. In addition to this, it provides many ecosystem services such as heat reduction and flood protection. These benefits soil biodiversity provides remain relatively unknown, especially concerning urban areas. To further the knowledge of urban soil biodiversity, this research will focus on the earthworm (Lumbricina) population present within tree pits, which in this research refers to a tree pit with a bit of exposed soil within the urban environment. While surrounded by human infrastructure on all four sides, by either asphalt or tiles. The earthworm has been selected as it is an important species in the soil and their presence often can function as an indicator for the health of the soil biodiversity in that area. The sampling of earthworms (Lumbricina) will use the mustard extraction method. This allows for a comparison of abundances of earthworms in different locations, such as the size of the tree pit and vegetation coverage of the tree pit. For this 15 trees were sampled daily, and each tree has been sampled 3 times. They are totalling in a database containing 45 samples. This study has found strong evidence in favour of a correlation between earthworm abundance compared to distance from a larger green area. In addition to that it found a weak relationship between an increased earthworm abundance as the size of the tree pit increases. These results line up with the island theory. The only other aspect this study found evidence for was concerning tree species present in the tree pit influencing the earthworm abundance at that tree pit. Other factors did not find any evidence to show that it might influence earthworm abundance.Show less
Forty-five years into the 20th century, the United States had witnessed countless interconnected events, which moulded its attitude towards urban planning. The country initially experienced a...Show moreForty-five years into the 20th century, the United States had witnessed countless interconnected events, which moulded its attitude towards urban planning. The country initially experienced a growing housing shortage which was becoming increasingly visible with every passing decade (Fogelson 2013). Between 1949 and 1960, as chairman of Committee on Slum Clearance of New York City, Robert Moses, led thirty-five separate urban renewal projects with a federal funding of $65.8 million ($842 million today) to “cure” the endemic housing crisis (Chronopoulos 2014, 207; Ballon 2007, 94-95). In 1959, Robert Moses proposed a slum clearance plan which targeted the Cooper Square neighbourhood of Manhattan. During the same year, the residents of the target neighbourhood joined together to form the Cooper Square Committee to fight the municipality of New York with an “Alternate Plan”, created under a participatory banner. This investigation provides an overview of urban planning within the mid-20th century to rationalise the use of both top down and bottom-up planning techniques in urban regeneration project in Manhattan. With the use of archived plans, interviews and audio recordings, this thesis will primarily examine the “Basic Philosophy” of the Cooper Square Committee as presented in the “Alternate Plan” in conjunction to Robert Moses’ philosophy which is pieced together with various interviews, audio recordings, and past projects (Cooper Square Community Development Committee and Businessmen’s Association 1961, 3). In doing so, this research aims to contribute to current literature by further examining the influence of both parties in question within the life cycle of participatory planning in the 1950s-1960s.Show less
This thesis will explores the correlation between income and the availability of vegetative roofs in the city of The Hague. Vegetative roofs are known for their environmental and economic benefits,...Show moreThis thesis will explores the correlation between income and the availability of vegetative roofs in the city of The Hague. Vegetative roofs are known for their environmental and economic benefits, such as providing habitats, mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect and lowering energy bills. This research will be done from a citizen science perspective to analyse the potential of this data collection method and its relevance for policymakers. A mixed-methods approach will be used by combining quantitative data from Netherlands Statistics (CBS) with qualitative data from observations of more than 75,000 addresses in The Hague collected from Google Maps. Coordinates and characteristics of the vegetative roofs will be analysed in Excel. Findings suggest a strong negative correlation between income and the number of people per vegetative roof, with r(4) = -.8981, p = .015075, which is consistent with previous research. Citizen science has been found to be a useful data collection method in this case, as it was able to identify more than four times as many vegetative roofs in the city as the data available from the municipality of The Hague. In conclusion, the collected data suggests a strong correlation between income and the number of vegetative roofs for neighbourhoods of The Hague and underscores the important role citizen science can play for (local) governments.Show less
The Olympic Games are known to be one of the largest sporting events of all time. Hosting the Olympic Games, whether those are the Summer or Winter Games, can become incredibly challenging for some...Show moreThe Olympic Games are known to be one of the largest sporting events of all time. Hosting the Olympic Games, whether those are the Summer or Winter Games, can become incredibly challenging for some cities. It can have an impact on the political, economic, and social aspects of a city. The International Olympic Committee has put this Olympic legacy forward in every 21st-century Olympic edition. Although an amount of research demonstrates how the Olympic legacy failed its host city each time. The Olympic Committee needs to make their host cities attractive likewise, candidates will bid for the next Olympic edition. As more Games pass, more resistance starts to build up and sometimes cities end up retrieving their bid. However, in 2017, Paris was officially announced as the host city of the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. This thesis studies the social implications of hosting the Olympic Games in the context of the Olympic legacy. The social implications focus on the ongoing social displacement that has been threatening the Parisian streets for a while.Show less
This study aims to investigate the factors influencing people’s choices for where to access healthcare beyond proximity, focusing specifically on waiting times, quality of care, familiarity of care...Show moreThis study aims to investigate the factors influencing people’s choices for where to access healthcare beyond proximity, focusing specifically on waiting times, quality of care, familiarity of care, accessibility, and specialisation. By using a crosssectional, within-subjects, and correlational study design this study has tried to answer the research questions; What is the relative importance of waiting times, quality of care, familiarity of care, accessibility, and specialisation for the time people are willing to travel to healthcare in the Netherlands? And what are the relative effects of these factors on minimum acceptable travel time? Results of a questionnaire with 71 respondents show that quality of care and specialisation significantly affect people's willingness to travel longer to healthcare the most. In contrast, familiarity of care is found to be the least important and people are willing to travel the least long for this. The results suggest that healthcare specialization can be justified and that quality of care and specialisation can be prioritized over waiting times, accessibility, and familiarity of care where needed. This study's results can be used as insights for healthcare providers and urban planners to meet Dutch residents' healthcare preferences and ensure efficient resource allocation. Future research should delve deeper into the other motivations affecting travel time for healthcare and incorporate the results of this study into spatial data to expand on these recommendations.Show less
Urban heat is a critical challenge faced by cities all around the globe, as they are working towards becoming resilient and sustainable in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 11. The...Show moreUrban heat is a critical challenge faced by cities all around the globe, as they are working towards becoming resilient and sustainable in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 11. The effects of climate change are expected to exacerbate the already severe health risks associated with urban heat, whereas mitigation measures come with wide-ranging benefits beyond urban heat itself. However, urban heat does not affect each region in the same way, and the efficiency of mitigation approaches can differ significantly. This paper aims to understand where research on urban heat is happening globally and investigate factors that play a role in spatial disparities through bivariate analyses. The results point towards research funding being a major factor in a region's research output. Another factor relating to both the occurrence of urban heat and research on urban heat is the size of the population. Africa and Oceania, in particular, have been found to be widely underrepresented, as well as regions in the tropical climate zone. Further research is needed to get a better understanding of these differences, and, on a larger scale, broad action is necessary to promote and accelerate research on and led by the global south.Show less
