A design-driven participatory action research in the Ten Eekhovelei
Ten Eekhovelei in Antwerp, the research area of this master’s thesis, is undergoing a spatial transition as part of De Grote Verbinding. The street has a negative reputation, fuelled by the media and reinforced by a growing number of vacant properties.
Long-term urban renewal processes often focus on the end result, thereby missing out on an intermediate vision. Due to a lack of time and resources, they also often rely on the individual production of visions and strategies, without insights from local knowledge. Furthermore, the voice of vulnerable population groups is missing in urban decision-making, because they are rarely fully reached in participation processes. Exclusive urban renewal increases the risk of displacement and gentrification. Proceeding from this context, this research asks how a better understanding of the spatial practices of the current residents of Ten Eekhovelei can contribute to the design of alternative, incremental and neighbourhood-oriented urban development strategies.
Firstly, with this research, we want to combine the perspectives of local residents, the city and ourselves in order to adjust the negative image of Ten Eekhovelei. This will enable visions and strategies to be developed based on a locally substantiated perception. Secondly, we want to shape the future based on neighbourhood-driven, incremental developments. In this way, we hope to focus on current issues and increase the local capacity for development. The third objective is to collectively build insights, whereby an exchange between all actors leads to more inclusive urban development.
With this design-driven, participatory action research (DD-PAR), we focus on identifying, reaching, interacting with and involving the local community. We make hidden knowledge visible through workshops, interviews, observations, home visits and participation in neighbourhood activities. It is an iterative, inductive process of data collection, data analysis, design and reflection. We aim for a constant exchange between all actors, leading to a more collective production of visions and strategies.
Urban visions, our own ideas and local knowledge are combined in various design proposals. The designs are based on renovation and respond to the need for social housing, emergency housing and accommodation for large families. Design proposals for the renovation of row houses and an apartment building in the street, a flexible structure behind the row of houses and a passageway in the street are the result of collectively developed insights. This research also includes actions such as setting up a communal garden, a workshop and an exhibition in a vacant building. Finally, this thesis offers design recommendations and a new, both textual and visual, narrative about Ten Eekhovelei.
The designs, actions, images and narratives that emerge from this research take concrete needs into account and reveal invisible knowledge and hidden qualities. In this way, they counterbalance the negative perception of Ten Eekhovelei, respond to the intermediate situation and contribute to more collective, incremental and neighbourhood-oriented development strategies.
The designs can encourage urban planners and policymakers to consider an alternative approach. The renovations for the row houses can be used as an inspiring tool by residents, and the results of the actions can be incorporated into future plans.