Editorial 'Reclaiming Places'

Dear readers,

How a place is used, and by whom, are subjects that urban designers have always been concerned with. Of course, it is important to distinguish between past, present, and future situations. Public space has been used in various ways for as long as there has been interest in it. Technological developments lead to different street scenes, such as the rise of the car, but also the disappearance of old professions like that of the town crier, who woke up factory workers. With the advent of the alarm clock, that profession and the unique use of public space that went along with it came to an end. Cultural shifts, climate change, and pandemics also result in different use of space, sometimes leading to permanent changes.

The theme 'reclaiming places' refers to places that have been stripped of their original identity and where efforts are actively made to restore the old atmosphere. This can be driven by either a conservative or a progressive intention. From a cultural-historical perspective, 'reclaiming' a place can be interesting to refocus attention on the indigenous residents of a region or neighbourhood. As we discussed in an earlier theme, 'Indigenous Practices': 'the past' is not always worse. A climate-adaptive approach can make use of the same principle to make a place more resilient by drawing on the unspoiled nature of the past. In the Netherlands, 'Room for the River', following 'Plan Ooievaar', is a good example of this.

In Wageningen, students of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning are taught to ‘guide’ the users of a place. After all, design is intentional and should be used as such. There is certainly some truth to this, since a space without guidance is completely subjected to the whims of the masses and the fads of the moment. But ultimately, the users of a space -public or not- determine its atmosphere and possibilities. That is why we increasingly see the importance of multifunctional spaces. Spaces that can not only be used for different purposes at present, but also allow for change and new demands in the future, without losing the character of the place.

Increasingly popular are also citizen initiatives and 'bottom-up approaches', in which participation is highly valued. The daily users of a space -large or small- are the best informed about the strengths and weaknesses of a place, exceptions aside. By engaging in conversation, we can ensure that places are future-proofed without losing their character. And if the character of a place has indeed been lost, it is possible to collaboratively look at ways to heal and potentially 'reclaim' the landscape.

With the kindest regards,

Tobias Arends

On behalf of the editorial board of TOPOS