Ellis Soepenberg

Groeten Uit!

Do It Together Urbanism


What if a marginalized community could invite designers to strengthen their community through design? 

In the past year, I have researched how I could put people as a focal point in the redevelopment of post-war neighborhoods in the Netherlands. Post-war neighborhoods are the poster child of a ‘problem neighborhood’ in the Netherlands. There are countless different challenges that are being tackled by all different types of professionals. Big data has resulted in these communities becoming branded as ‘a problem’. 

I have developed a method through working with the community of Poelenburg in Zaandam, known as the Dutch first problem neighborhood. ‘Do It Together Urbanism’ (D.I.T. Urbanism) could be a method with which designers could help empower people so they can become a client in the redevelopment of their neighborhood. 

With this method, I am trying to bridge the gap between the social and spatial realms within these neighborhoods. There is a lot of effort and time being put into participating with people. Through my research, I have found that how we participate needs to match the capacity of the community. I wanted to be invited into the community, to learn what were real opportunities I could work on as a designer. 

I am inviting you to join the journey of being invited into neighborhoods.

Graduation date: 25 June 2024
Graduation committee: Martin Probst (mentor), Ania Sosin, Arjen Oosterman
Additional members for the exam: Martin Aarts, Andrew Kitching