Urban acupuncture - A study on the potential of small-scale interventions to facilitate re-naturalisation in Charleroi
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2022
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability
Language
en
Pages
62
Series
Abstract
Over the past centuries, human activities have caused radical changes in socio-ecological systems through rapid urbanisation and industrial development. One of the effects of urban development is a profound disconnection between humans and nature. By affecting urban well-being and resilience, this disconnection has increased the need for urban re-naturalisation. The aim of reconnecting cities and nature has gained considerable interest over the last decade and is today an important part of urban planning agendas. This thesis explores the theory of Urban Acupuncture as a potential method to facilitate urban re-naturalisation. Characterised by small-scale, rapid and low-cost interventions that promote participation, Urban Acupuncture shares similarities with approaches such as urban experimentation, urban living labs or place-making. The theory and practice provide a potential alternative approach to traditional urban planning methods. This thesis contributes to the discussion of re-naturalisation in urban planning in post-industrial cities, aiming to explore how small-scale and participatory interventions could support and enhance it. In particular, this research investigates the potential of Urban Acupuncture to facilitate re-naturalisation in the post-industrial city of Charleroi in Belgium. The findings of this research consist of eight criteria for successful Urban Acupuncture interventions in the context of urban re-naturalisation. The study also highlights the different opportunities and challenges for implementing Urban Acupuncture in the context of Charleroi. This research concludes that despite a lack of population and some deep pollution in the soil of the territory, the context of Charleroi appears to be favourable for the application of Urban Acupuncture. Urban Acupuncture interventions could mainly facilitate the re-naturalisation of the city by enhancing the involvement of citizens and facilitating the reconversion of some of the territory’s industrial wastelands.Description
Supervisor
Gaziulusoy, IdilThesis advisor
Candy, SeonaKeywords
urban acupuncture, re-naturalisation, post-industrial cities, urban experimentation, place-making, urban planning