The current multiple crisis require architects, designers, citymakers and stakeholders to re-think their approach to the city and territory, under the urge for a sustainable and inclusive future. While uncertainty and technocracy dominate, they also enable a open investigation and understanding of different future scenarios of spatial transformation. A revision of the term ‘adaptability’ promises to contribute to a new holistic approach.This paper presents the outputs of our current research project on adaptability at architectonic and urban level. It departs from the spatial disciplinary literature, and a large database of projects where this term plays a role implicitly or explicitly. We revisit theories and reposition them in the current unstable context. With this, we can enlarge the range of interactions and scales to approach simultaneously. Based on this, we propose new variables, and vocabularies in a framework for urban development beyond traditional confines.In fact, a new framework for the design of architectonic and urban space is articulated. It responds to different transformations of users’, usages’ and environmental conditions based on dimensions (scale, time, space), domains (social, economic, ecologic, climatic), adaptability ingredients (modularity, flexibility, interactivity, etc.), and resources (design by research, extreme scenario-thinking). We show them in action thought design projects conducted with students in the Netherlands and Belgium.We aim at generating holistic insights on the concept and methods of adaptability through some of the research and educational outcomes. Ultimately, we want to expand the mechanism of planning for an adaptive approach -from the building to the network, making lines of research, education and practice collide to address urgently needed changes.
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This report is the second in a series of three reports named Value Added Planning, consisting of three unique, but interconnected tools, namely the Green Credit Tool, the Workbench Method and Value Added Planning, These tools have been developed and/or tested in the context of the European INTERREG programme: VALUE (INTERREG IVB North West Europe - Valuing Attractive Landscapes in the Urban Economy), in which the municipality of Amersfoort is involved. Aim of this programme is to understand how green space in urban centres can become more competitive with other urban functions. In this context, the municipality of Amersfoort has introduced the interactive method named Workbench Spatial Quality (Werkbank Ruimtelijke Kwaliteit in Dutch) in their spatial design in several areas in their municipality. The Workbench Spatial Quality (to be referred to as Workbench) has been applied on two cases in Amersfoort: Park Randenbroek and Vathorst NW. In this report the Workbench as applied in Amersfoort is evaluated. Research was done on the basis of literature research, case-material and interviews performed with several experts. Furthermore, research was done by students at the Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR). Part of the evaluation in this report makes use of a quick scan of 19 Dutch cases. The question addressed in this report is: 1.How was the Workbench Spatial Quality applied in Amersfoort? 2.Can the Workbench contribute to sustainable spatial planning?
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