New project: City Forest Communities
A PROJECT BY PINAR BALAT AND IGOR SLADOLJEV
In 2023, the Open Call Room for Justice was launched by the Creative Industries Fund NL under the Spatial Design Action Program. The aim of the Action Program is to strengthen the use of spatial design in tackling complex social and spatial challenges in the Netherlands and to stimulate an integrated approach. This open call asks how the transformation that needs to take place in the Netherlands can be used as a means to improve the quality of life for everyone, and how this transformation can be guided from a consciously defined justice perspective.
Our project City Forest Communities is one of the selected projects under this open call. In this project we investigate a new model for the transformation of vulnerable post-war neighborhoods in the Netherlands. A model that focuses on nature-based solutions in increasing ecological and social justice in these neighborhoods. We look at how the 'green densification' of a neighborhood can increase the social and economic resilience of residents while contributing to climate adaptation and biodiversity. We then investigate whether the use of carbon credits and local carbon offsetting practices can contribute to the financing of this green densification.
The project will take place in Pendrecht, Rotterdam. We will be collaborating on this project with Gert-Jan Wisse from Bureau B+B and Rene van der Velde from TU Delft. Housing association Woonstad Rotterdam, Municipality of Rotterdam and the residents of the project location will become our (advisory) partners during this project.
With City Forest Communities we are looking for room for experiment and inspiration to search beyond current densification models for the transformation of post-war neighborhoods. We want to show how nature and society can and should be strengthened together in a just city. We want to discuss how carbon credits and local carbon offsetting practices can be used in a fair way to finance urban green spaces. We look forward to a great research process!