Article by Sander Keur
Sometimes I wonder why our field is so fixated on allure and prestige. Why is it that we are always drawn to what stands out, what seems larger than life? Perhaps we suffer from a sort of "Dubai syndrome," where we are blinded by the spectacular and the extraordinary. Don't get me wrong, I understand that we need to keep challenging ourselves and innovating, and that this also involves grand projects that push boundaries. Yet, I believe we can achieve this just as well by embracing minimalism, a path where thoughtfulness and humility go hand in hand with the inevitable radical changes in our future landscapes.Â
With the theme of "minimalism," I realised that my master thesis actually aligns seamlessly with this concept, and I have come to see that I had already embraced this principle. I want to share what this meant for my thesis and how I believe it contributes to the idea of minimalism that I advocate for in this article.
In my master thesis, I focused on adapting "metropolitan open spaces" to climate change, where the preservation and enhancement of the cultural landscape is centre stage. These open spaces, located between various built-up areas, have been under pressure from urbanisation since the second half of the 20th century and are closely intertwined with the adjacent urban cores. Add the challenge of climate change, and what you get are vulnerable areas where the loss of cultural landscapes is inevitable. My task was to transform these areas into a climate-resilient situation, where the cultural landscape is not only preserved but also strengthened. Not by solely conserving the landscape as if it were a museum piece, but by allowing it to evolve and adapt to a new climate resilient reality. This concept of "maintenance through development" was at the heart of my approach.
Impression of the current landscape of Midden-Delfland. A characteristic Dutch peat meadow landscape with an open and rural atmosphere that contrasts with the surrounding (urban) areas.
The case study for my research was Midden-Delfland. This peat meadow area, located in the southern wing of the Randstad, is surrounded by built-up areas such as Rotterdam, Delft, and Westland. It’s a region with a distinctive Dutch cultural landscape, but also an area facing significant climate-related challenges, such as drought causing subsidence, an increased flood risk due to extreme weather and rising sea levels, and salinisation gradually affecting the land.
Cross-section of the climate challenges
To tackle these challenges, I consciously chose not to go for technological solutions involving grey infrastructure. Instead, I focused on how we can address these problems by utilising the existing qualities of the cultural landscape. This means viewing the existing cultural landscape as a source of solutions. In other words, landscape integration, preferably as ‘minimally’ as possible.
To make this possible, I investigated the spatial qualities of Midden-Delfland’s cultural landscape. I did this through interviews and surveys with inhabitants and other users of the area, which allowed me to understand how the landscape is valued. It was important for me to do this on a human scale, as cultural landscapes are inherently shaped by people. Such a landscape deserves to be treated with respect, so that it retains its values for the local community.
Map showing the spatial qualities of Midden-Delfland
With these insights, it was time to integrate the climate challenges with the cultural landscape’s qualities. This theoretical exercise led to climate-resilient solutions where the cultural landscape was going to be centre staged and enhanced. This resulted in spatial design guidelines aimed at subtle but effective interventions. Many of these guidelines require a radical change in land use and interaction with the landscape. However, in my view, it remains minimalistic because, in the end, the landscape appears more natural than the current situation, which has been largely shaped by intensive agricultural livestock farming. Therefore, for me, minimalism and radical ideas can actually embrace and reinforce each other. They do not have to be opposites.
Impression of the design of the Duifpolder in Midden-Delfland
Cross-section of the design for the Duifpolder in Midden-Delfland
The impression shows how the various climate challenges are integrated into the cultural landscape of Midden-Delfland. We stand on a platform marking the location of an old church path, now highlighted and shaded by the addition of a row of pollard willows. Regenerative agriculture on peat soil, such as wet crops, ensures that the contrast between rural and urban areas is preserved while making it much more climate-resilient. There are also strategic viewpoints. More planting was necessary but designed in such a way that the openness of the landscape is maintained, and the geological significance of the creek ridges is emphasised. Additionally, extra space for water storage was created, following the straight lines of the characteristic strip allotment. These and other aspects of the design show how climate and culture can be intertwined and subtly minimally integrated into the landscape.
When I look back at the findings of my research, I see that as a landscape architect you really do not need the most remarkable interventions to create a good design. By focusing on the values of the local community and integrating their cultural landscape values, you can create something meaningful for the people without turning the landscape into an unrecognisable space. Let’s embrace the art of minimalism!
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