In the second semester of 2023-2024, twenty graduates from various study programs worked together in the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab Rotterdam. Students from Tourism Management, Leisure Management, Integral Safety Management, Law, Business Studies and Creative Business, among others, joined forces to tackle urban challenges.
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Timothy focused his graduation project on improving the quality of life and the attractiveness of Stieltjesplein and Stieltjesstraat in Rotterdam-Zuid. His research focused on developing placemaking interventions that tie in with the ‘Green Agenda’ 2023-2026 of the municipality of Rotterdam.
The project included an extensive analysis of placemaking concepts, drawing inspiration from successful international examples such as the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul and the High Line Park in New York City. Timothy combined desk research with field research, including interviews and surveys, to map the needs and wishes of the local community.
Based on his findings, Timothy proposed a series of interventions, including the construction of green play areas for children, the development of a green strip with seating areas along the quay, and the beautification of Stieltjesstraat with flower boxes and seating areas. He also developed a marketing communications plan to inform, involve and activate the local community in these initiatives, and an implementation plan with concrete steps for implementation.
Timothy’s project provides a detailed blueprint for improving public space in Rotterdam-Zuid with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainability. His work demonstrates how placemaking can contribute to a better living environment and a stronger community and provides practical guidelines for successfully implementing urban improvement projects.