Lindy Beuk

In Beweging

In Motion
Design research on resilient landscapes and walking networks in the Oostvaardersplassen 


Walking is more than just a hobby for me: it is a way to slow down, explore, and reflect. In the Scottish Highlands, I experienced the freedom of wandering in an open landscape without boundaries. In the Netherlands, this feeling is less common: natural areas are often fragmented or fenced off. Seeing this difference made me wonder how we create and take care of our landscapes. Recreation and nature are often linked, but not always in balance. I wanted to explore how they might work together, and whether rethinking our walking routes could also help the ecological system. 

This project focuses on the Oostvaardersplassen, a wetland area and national park between Almere and Lelystad. It is an important ecological area, but it also faces challenges in conservation, management, accessibility, and visitor experience. Through fieldwork, analysis of the walking network, and conversations with experts, I explored the landscape from multiple perspectives. 

The result is a design vision based on three principles: robustness, connectivity, and accessibility. By strengthening the landscape and improving its connections, the area can welcome visitors without harming its ecological value. New walking paths and boardwalks enhance the visitor experience while distributing visitors more evenly, protecting the core ecological zone. The design highlights the landscape’s variety, offering experiences that change with the seasons, from open water and reed fields to expansive grasslands. 

This project shows that carefully bringing humans and nature together can create spaces for exploration, movement, and connection. At the same time, I aim to inspire people to visit and experience the landscape for themselves. 


Graduation Date: 27 Augustus 2025 
Graduation committee: Willemijn van Manen (mentor), Yttje Feddes, Ziega van den Berk 
Additional members for the exam: Saline Verhoeven, Robbert Jongerius 



Captions: 

1. Master plan and design vision for the future of the Oostvaardersplassen  
2. Postcard of the Oostvaardersdijk, with views of the water and horizon  
3. Comic-style illustration of a walk from Lelystad to the Kade  
4. Bird’s-eye view of the design, highlighting wooden structures that enable new walking experiences  
5. Postcard of the Sluispad, a covered passage through the Oostvaardersplassen  
6. Seasonal calendar depicting a year of ever-changing walking experiences  
7. Comic-style illustration of a walk from Almere to the Oostvaardersdijk  
8. Postcard of the Broekzoom, where wetland and forest meet  
9. Excursion cards capturing impressions and observations from my walks  
10. Postcard of the Hoekstroom, where visitors contribute to wildlife protection  
11. Sketch of the spatial context of the Oostvaardersplassen  
12. Postcard of the Kade, an elevated walking path through the wetland