Designing Resilient Public Spaces in Het Hogeland: Adaptive approaches for Urban Water Cycle

This paper introduces an integrated methodology for public space design in Het Hogeland municipality, combining climate adaptation, cultural heritage, and social well-being. The approach is structured around the “Analyse – Ambition – Action” framework and incorporates four ambition levels: maintain, optimize, strengthen, and transform. Design principles are guided by a value compass balancing six dimensions: spatial quality, health and well-being, mobility, economy, climate, and environment. Representative profiles of spatial typologies—such as streets, squares, parks, roads, and harbors—include phased strategies (“Now, Soon, Later”) to support adaptive implementation. A dedicated focus is placed on the water chain (waterketen) during the Analyse phase, where future hazard scenarios, legal frameworks, and adaptation measures were assessed and categorized per ambition level to inform integrated design principles. The methodology is linked to the Public Space Program, which provides the municipal council with a forward-looking perspective through designed profiles that integrate measures from multiple disciplines. This program aims to inspire future designers in this program by aligning spatial quality with climate resilience and community needs. Findings emphasize systemic integration and participatory processes as key to resilient and inclusive public spaces. The approach offers a scalable model for international knowledge exchange on urban planning and governance, with a focus on climate adaptation in response to increasing climate risks and extreme weather events (IPCC, 2023).