Müge Oktar Master Dissertation Project: Com-Vert Garden by Müge Oktar

In Search of An Ecological Utopia: Healing the City Towards a New Way of Thinking About Food and Care Homes for Wellness of Elderly: Com-Vert Garden Master Dissertation Project

Müge Oktar KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture | Campus Sint-Lucas Ghent International Master of Science in Architecture Academic promotor: Luc Eeckhout Academic year: 2020-2021

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KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture, Campus Sint-Lucas Ghent Belgium International Master of Science in Architecture Master Dissertation Author Müge Oktar Academic promotor Luc Eeckhout Academic year 2020-2021 Publication June 2021

Preface First and foremost, I believe architecture can change our world in the light of sustainable strategies. Thus, it was a pleasure to work in this studio to create a "utopia" in Gent, for the year 2050 with the topic of food. I am profoundly grateful to my promoter, Luc Eeckhout for his continuous support during my dissertation period. His immense and invaluable supervision was influential and motivational in shaping my research. I would like to thank my family who encouraged me with their unconditional support throughout the whole process. Also, very special thanks to Furkan Küçükbay for all his love and support.

Abstract Nowadays, humanity is facing with one of the biggest dilemmas of its existence: food, which is an essential element for the existence of human beings has been in a continuous dialogue with nature throughout the history of mankind. However, the current food system is also one of the biggest threats to nature. The problem is not only human beings hampering this relation, but also it is already foreseeable that the current system of food production is not going to be fulfilling the increasing demand for food in close future, considering the extraordinary urban densification and the increase in the population. The environmental impact of the traditional agricultural system on climate is already in evidence with excessive land use and waste of water, and food. Besides, its contribution to the level of CO2 emissions due to the increase in food miles, which is related to transporting food from far-away locations, and in the usage of pesticides and fertilizers is non-negligible. Besides, the long-chain food system that we currently rely on leads to a disconnection between the food source and the consumers with a series of intermediaries and high market prices. Thus, the city has to be reintroduced with a new way of feeding the community, that contributes to the local autonomy and green economy, and the citizens should be reunited with the food source while the food miles should be minimized.

Currently, the population of elderly people in Belgium is more than 19% and as the life expectancy is constantly increasing, the percentage of elderlies in Beligum is envisaged to be doubled by the year 2050. Considering that aging also brings along certain health problems such as physicological ailments, social exclusion is going to be a vital problem for this vulnerable part of our society that cannot be ignored. Thus, we need to find a long-term solution in which elderly are treated as a part of the community, rather than patients cared by medicines. Instead of waiting for the foregone conclusion with a series of health problems and social exclusion as a result of aging, this process can be slowed down and prevented by finding a vital link with nature and food that are currently being squeezed out of the city. This master dissertation reveals the necessity to review the current food system to meet the demand for not only "enough", but also "healthy food" in which the community engages with food, and it presents the research of reintroducing food production into the city at the edge of the rural and urban areas of Ghent, in the neighborhood of Sint-Denijs-Westrem. The project aims to use food production as an opportunity to touch the elderlies, and support their well-being and prosperity, by slowing the aging process and also strengthening the social ties in the neighborhood, which is currently nothing more than a mere connection.

Table of Contents 01 | Introduction

1.1 How do we feed the city?

02 | Conceptual Framework

2.1 Concept

2.2 Research Question

03 | City Scale

3.1 City Scale Analysis

3.2 Strategy in City Scale

04 | Village Scale

4.1 Site Analysis

4.2 Village Scale Proposal

05 | Building Scale

5.1 Design Strategies

5.2 Site Analysis

5.3 Building programme

5.4 Design Proposal

06 | Conclusion

134

07 | Bibliography

138

Fig.1 Agricultural Farmlands Image source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/feeding-9-billion/

01 | Introduction

How do we feed the city?

Food is of vital importance for human life. We, as humankind, are temperamentally programmed to consume and have lost our tendency to question. Do we know if what we are eating is healthy or not, or from which processes our food passes from production until it reaches our table? Since every day enough food has to be produced, processed, transported, and meet with the consumer to respond to the increasing demand regarding the simultaneously growing world; we have to transform an enormous amount of land into agricultural lands (Steel, 2009). What does this mean, and why does it have crucial importance for our lives, cities, and our environment? To answer these questions, we should first examine the current food system that we rely on, which is the traditional agricultural system. The current food system is based on a long process with a lot of intermediaries (Fig. 2), which is the main reason for the community to be torn apart from the food source (Fig. 3). This disconnection between the consumer and the food source leads to a limited local autonomy regarding food. As the number of intermediaries increases, the increasing market prices put pressure on not only the consumer but also the farmers. As this chain gets longer, the food miles relatively increase, which means more expensive products and more environmental pollution.

Besides, the irrepressible growth of urbanization and the population in cities with the demand for food puts pressure on agricultural lands, which causes 19 million hectares of forests to be lost each year to create new arable lands (Steel, 2009) Since by 2050, the world population is expected to increase by 2 billion people; it is already foreseen that more agricultural lands are needed to feed these people if we continue to rely on the agricultural industry (National Geographic Magazine, n.d.). This means the deforestation level is going to rise to respond to our needs while giving irrevocable harm to the environment. Moreover, apart from the increase in deforestation level, the negative impact that traditional farming gives on our climate is nonnegligible (National Geographic Magazine, n.d.). 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the world are caused by agricultural systems and meat production, which takes place on the top of the list of largest emitters of greenhouse gases (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2021). A great number of crops are used to feed the livestock, which is not sustainable and leads to excessive food waste. A great amount of the water footprint regarding agricultural products in Belgium is also related to livestock (WWF, 2011). Thus, meat production is responsible for a significant part of this negative environmental impact.

production

transportation

processing distribution

retails home consumer

restaurant food waste

preperation

restaurant consumer

Fig. 2 Current Food Chain System, diagram by the author

Fig. 3 Diagram Showing How the Community, Food and Nature are Torn Apart, diagram by the author

All these reveal that we should rethink about where we lost the connection with food which can only be understood by examining how we used to live in direct contact with nature and food before. The history of the times that mankind was in direct contact with food is dating back to 10 thousand years ago when agriculture and urbanism were happening at the same place at the same time (Steel, 2009). When the relation of food and settlements at that time is studied, the productive farmlands surrounding the settlements draw attention (Fig. 4), which shows that on the contrary of today, the people were eating what they were producing daily. This is the case in every city built before the industrial age such as London, of which the streets were named as the products being sold in there (Fig. 5) (Steel, 2009). This exhibits that the food was rooted in the structure of the urban context. Right now, the city shapes the food system by excluding the farmlands out of the city due to urbanization, rather than the food system shapes the city as it was before the industrial age with the farmlands surrounding the compact settlements. The industrial revolution made food affordable and accessible by mass-production, but this led us to the current situation in the food industry. Thus, the industrial revolution can be considered as the milestone of the current system.

Fig. 4 City Plan of Ur in 2000 BC, image source: (Steel, 2009)

Fig. 5 Food Markets Shown on City Plan of London, image source: (Steel, 2009)

The question raises in the light of this information: Can we bring those days back in our history in which the food markets act as a part of the structure of the city, by shaping the city? The answer to this question is searched by creating an ecological utopia in the city of Gent, which comprises reconnecting the city and the food source as it was in the 17. century cities, and to integrate this system in a community without any social cohesion to strengthen the social ties. Community is the central point of this utopia, which is in direct relation with food and nature.

In this utopia, the local and short food system is shaping the already-existing urban context in which the market place becomes the center of the neighborhood and the rest of the neighborhood is adapted to this center. In other words, urban agriculture is tackled as a design tool for the wellness and prosperity of the locals with a responsible way of production, transportation and consumption of food by minimizing food miles. By holding up the 17. century cities as reference, the neighborhood of Sint Denijs Westrem is "com-vert"ed into a neighborhood that meets its food supply inside the neighborhood in daily basis, which is maintained by sustainable production and transportation in 2050. This ecological utopia is actualized in "Com-Vert Garden".

Fig. 6 Future Vision Diagram, diagram by the author

02 | Conceptual Framework

Concept

Outer Ring, R4 (Buitenring Sint-Denijs)

City Center

Project Site Kortrijksesteenweg

Sint Denijs-Westrem

Zwijnaarde

Fig. 7 Map Showing the Proximity of the Site Location to Kortrijksesteenweg in City Scale, map by the author

The project site is located next to the road of Kortrijksesteenweg (N43) and the Ringvaart, in the neighborhood of Sint Denijs-Westrem. It has a critical location by being situated at the intersection point of this neighborhood with the outer ring (R4), Buitenring Sint-Denijs, and the neighborhood of Zwijnaarde.

Kortrijksesteenweg is an important mobility axis since it connects the rural areas to the city center. Thus, it is a high-traffic zone and has turned the area into a car-oriented neighborhood in the last few years which is in evidence with a great amount of land occupied by the car parking lots and wide multi-laned roads which leads to many accidents (Het Nieuwsblad. 2021).

Fig. 8 Images Showing the Car Domination in Sint Denijs-Westrem

Concept

Most of the traffic on this road is due to close-distance travels, which reveals that the residents cannot meet their needs inside the neighborhood. The neighborhood is lacking basic public facilities such as supermarkets, bio markets, shops, and gathering areas where the community can interact. This leads the neighborhood to lose the feeling of a "community", "identity" and "belonging".

Thus, accessibility and failing to reach the basic needs in the close distance are the main barriers among this neighborhood to be a selfsufficient and livable community with social ties. Apart from that, the number of care services for the elderly in the neighborhood draws attention, which gives the first idea about the population profile (Fig. 9)

nweg

estee

jks Kortri

(N43)

care services project site

Fig. 9 Diagram Showing the Care Services in the Neighborhood, diagram by the author

With the intent of rebuilding the sense of community and identity in the neighborhood, the population profile is investigated. It is observed that it has one of the most aging populations in the city of Ghent, which reveals that the main target group in the area is the elderly people and the main aim is shaped as recognizing certain needs of this target group.

Fig. 10 Population Density of Different Age Groups in Gent, map by the author data taken from www.realo.be

Concept

The demographic transition in Belgium is revealed with the sharp rise in the percentage of elderly in Belgium from 1960 to 2010, and this already gives an idea about the elderly population to reach a peak in the future, which is expected to be doubled by 2060 (Fig. 11). Thus, Belgium has an aging population that increases in percentage year by year (Roland Berger Strategy Consultant, n.d.). As the age distribution is compared in different regions of Belgium, excessive aging is observed in Flanders, in which Ghent is located, compared to Wallonia (Quetelet Journal, 2018). The data on age distribution graphics (Fig. 12) explicitly presents this increase in life span in Flanders Region. While the population between the age of 0-65 has been decreased since 2000, the population of people above the age of 65 has been increased.

Fig. 11 The Age Pyramid in Belgium, diagram by the author data taken from (Roland Berger Strategy Consultant)

Fig. 12 Comparison of Age Distribution in Flemish Region between the years 2000 and 2020, bar chart drawn by the author, data taken from www.statistiekvlaanderen.be

The improvements in the medical system and life quality are the main factors that affect life expectancy. However, the increase in lifespan usually brings along certain health problems, diseases and handicaps as well and dementia is the most common one among the psychological ailments that are considered to be related to aging process. Similar to the increase in the percentage of elderly, the number of people with dementia is relatively expected to be doubled by 2050 (Fig. 14 & 15). In light of the data related to the role of dementia in the death rate (Fig. 13), dementia is going to be a problem for the whole society by 2050. According

the

Alzheimer's

Fig. 13 Scientific Data Regarding Dementia, data taken from https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/belgiumalzheimers-dementia, (World Health Organization, 2018)

Society,

"Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. It is not a natural part of the aging process..." (Alzheimer's Society, 2017) As it is already indicated in the description of dementia, it does not have to be a part of the aging process, which is currently seen as an inevitable consequence of aging. This can be changed if we rethink the care for elderlies towards improving their wellbeing by preventing social exclusion, rather than waiting for health problems to occur.

The number of people with dementia in Belgium from 2018 to 2050

The number of people with dementia in Belgium as % of the total population from 2018 to 2050

Fig,14 & 15 Data Related with Expectancy of Dementia in Belgium for 2050, drawn by the author, data taken from www. statistiekvlaanderen.be

Concept

When the needs and problems of the elderlies are examined, the most important problem that they face in their daily lives is estimated to be social exclusion. It is already a threat for elderly people to break their connection with the outer world, and it starts to be even a bigger problem for people with health problems like dementia. Since it is a non-communicable disease that affects and changes the daily life of these people, it leads them to be even more socially excluded from society, which affects this progress negatively. This causes them to pull themselves away from society for several reasons, including lack of confidence and worrying about being a burden for others (Alzheimer's Society, 2017) (Fig. 16). Having a concern about getting lost, mobility, and lack of transportation are also commonly experienced by people with dementia. This shows that accessibility also has an impact on these people to rejoin society.

Fig. 16 The Most Common Barriers among People with Dementia, drawn by the author, data taken from (Alzheimer's Society, 2017)

Fig. 17 Scientific Data Regarding Dementia, data taken from (Alzheimer's Society, 2017)

When the data related to the incidence of dementia in different age groups are investigated, it is seen that the rate of increase in the number of people with dementia who are above 90 is the highest, which is already predictable. Besides, the incidence of dementia in younger groups is also expected to rise until 2050, which shows that this physicological ailment is not related to the aging process as it is believed by most people in our society. At this point the following question rises: Can this shift in the incidence of dementia in different age groups be related to our disconnection with nature?

Fig. 18 Estimations about the possible increase of dementia in different age groups in Belgium until 2050, drawn by the author data taken from (Alzheimer-Europe.org, 2017)

Concept

Fig. 19 The Role of Horticultural Therapy on elderlies with or without Demetia, diagram by the author data taken from (Alzheimer's Society, 2017)

Social Isolation & Gardening

Recreating the link with the community and nature is possible by gardening. As we get older, we realize how it positively affects our psychology as a means of improving social, physical, and mental health. Especially for elderly people, community gardens act as a relaxation point where they can reduce stress, socialize, exercise, and have direct contact with nature and food. This makes elderlies feel like to be part of the community again by being actively involved in gardening, which helps to reduce social isolation. Besides being reintroduced into the community, gardening is proved to boost the physical health of elderlies by improving their strength and muscles, balance, appetite, oxygen level, and sleep quality. It also contributes to mental health and well-being by providing relaxation and improving their reminiscence by stimulating senses, which have a slowing effect on the dementia process (Alzheimer's Society, 2017).

Thus, gardening creates an opportunity for these people to slow down the aging process and also prevent the incidence of confusion complementing with certain health problems such as dementia, by enabling them to play an active role in their community. Moreover, its positive impacts already prove that to threat elderly as patients in care homes with medical care, without any contact with nature or anyone is not a long-term solution. At this point, we need to change our horizon towards a new way of thinking about elderly care, by integrating food and nature in their daily lives and enabling them to be socially, physically, and mentally active.

Concept

Social Isolation & Collective Living

Besides gardening, collective living is found to be another need of elderly people to feel more included in society to prevent social isolation and this is already clearly seen in the data given in Figure 20.

In the light of this analysis regarding the elderlies, three main conclusions are acquired. First of all, accessibility has a crucial role for elderlies to socialize and not break their connection with the outer world.

According to research done by "Centre de Recherche en Demographie", until the age of 79 people in Belgium lives as a couple so at the early stages of elderliness care services and support of family members are generally enough.

Secondly, the necessity of nature and food integrated into the daily lives of elderly people should not be neglected.

Nevertheless, the feeling of social isolation among these people already starts to appear by the age of 65 and after the age of 79, it even gets worse, which leads to a disconnection with social life and the community. Thus, elderly people in Belgium, especially above the age of 65, tend to live collectively and this tendency relatively increases by age (Quetelet Journal, 2018).

The last important conclusion is that elderly people, specifically in Belgium, tend to live collectively. Thus, care services in care or retirement homes can be seen as a solution, but it does not go beyond a short-term one, since how this important topic is tackled today is not enough to prevent social exclusion for the elderly. Because care services are generally nothing more than medicines and living inside a room in a care home without any social or physical activity.

Fig. 20 Research Done in Belgium in 2015 Regarding the Need of Elderly to Live Collectively, data taken from (Quetelet Journal, 2018)

By integrating gardening and food production into care homes, a long-term solution would be achieved to extinguish the social exclusion of the elderly people among the community and to slow and delay the onset or progress of aging and dementia. In the long-term, the project is aiming to present the fact that the health problems like dementia are not an inevitable conclusion for elderlies and can be prevented by involving elderlies in each step of local food production and consumption.

the Loop IKEA

Agricultural Lands

Flanders Expo

Vossenbos Housing Project Ringvaart

Considering the site is already dangerous and unaccessible for the locals who are elderly in general, the neighborhood needs a transformation to make it a livable and elderly-friendly village. With this aim, the project site shown in Figure 21 is chosen in the neighborhood of Sint Denijs Westrem because of its critical location, by being next to Maria Middelares Hospital. Since the main aim is to improve the well-being of elderly people, having proximity to care and medical services in case of a need is also considered while choosing the site of Com-Vert Garden. Maria Middelares Hospital

Maria Middelares Parking Lot

Fig. 21 Site Location in Sint-Denijs Westrem, diagram by the author

Research Questions

The name of the project, which is "Com-Vert Garden", is an abbreviation for "Community Vertical Garden." Besides, the name also refers to "converting" the living area of the residents into a livable environment on every scale, respecting the aging population which has currently no social cohesion in the area.

The project tackles with food and nature as design tools to improve the well-being of elderlies. Thus the main aim which is "to heal the food system by healing the community" is achieved through searching for three main topics and the research questions related to these topics:

"heal" the food How can we reintroduce the food system back to the city in a more sustainable way and integrate it into the existing structure of the city, by uniting the community and the food source? Can the food system be improved in a way that it shapes the city by providing "enough" and "healthy" food, rather than the city shapes the food system? Can we bring those days back in our history in which the food markets act as a part of the structure of the city, by shaping the city?

wellness & prosperity How can our local food system be used as a design tool to form a more community-oriented city to improve the wellness and prosperity of the citizens?

geriatry Can we find a vital link between "food", "nature" and "community" to improve the wellbeing of the aging population by rethinking the care homes?

`Social isolation does not have to be a foregone conclusion for elderly if we start to rethink the vital link between health and nature in care homes.` current situation

Fig. 22 Medical Care Complementing with Social Isolation in a Regular Care Setting in Sint-Denijs Westrem, image source: https://www.familiehulp.be/

future vision

Fig. 23 “Treating as a Person, not as a Patient”, Alzheimer Village by NORD Architects

image source: https://thespaces.com/france-is-building-a-revolutionary-new-village-foralzheimer-sufferers/

03 | City Scale

City Scale Analysis

Green Areas Biomarkets Agricultural Lands Commons about Local Farming CSA (community supported agriculture)- Self Harvesting CSA- Self Harvesting & Packaging Commons about Animals Food Teams in Gent

Fig. 24 The Map of Food Initiatives and Food-Related Activities in Gent, Map, map drawn as a groupwork

The city of Gent is surrounded by agricultural lands, which are densified in rural areas. (Fig 24). The map of the city reveals how the expansion of urban sprawl and the increase in the population caused the shift of these farmlands towards the rural areas in the last few decades. Despite this urbanization and centralized food system, Gent has been trying to change the current food system and the eating habits of the locals. The city is known as "the veggie capital of Europe" since vegetarian culture is promoted in the city with a series of actions that promotes local and sustainable food production such as "Thursday veggie day", "Ghent en Garde" Policies, and several urban farming activities (Stad Gent, 2016). There are food teams in certain neighborhoods which are a group of people who are responsible for purchasing food from the locals and collect it every week from a communal depot. These teams are generally densified at the city center. To promote local food production and consumption, there are also some bio-markets in Gent which have an importance to uplift the local autonomy, but all of them are located at the city center just as the food teams (Fig. 24).

The city also supports the commons related to food waste, local food production, and packaging. These commons are generally working according to the principles of community-supported agriculture, in which you can harvest organic vegetables all year round by paying a certain amount of harvest share in each season (CSA Netwerk, n.d.). A fair income for the farmers complementing with a contribution in local autonomy is tried to be guaranteed by this way. However, a few commons that are small-scale projects in unused areas are barely recognized on the map (Fig. 24). If we want to promote local food production, rather than gardens located in unused areas in outer parts of the city, more community gardens spread throughout the whole city are needed in which the community can be reunited with the others and the food source. This analysis reveals that even the city has some actions to bring the local food production culture into the city, it is still not enough to change the current centralized food system without bringing the food production back into the city.

City Scale Analysis

The rapid growth of urban sprawl does not only exclude the food system out of the city but also leads to the green areas to be lost. This tears the food and natural systems apart from each other, which creates a dilemma since throughout the history of mankind, these two important systems have always been working together and the existence of one has always been crucial for the other one. However, this continuous dialogue between these two systems is hampered today throughout the whole world, including the city of Gent. Despite all actions in the city of Gent, the level of deforestation around the city in the last few years and the increase in the amount of land used for farmlands show that the city continues to rely on the traditional agricultural system, which creates irrevocable effects on our climate and the city. For instance, on the Gent Climate Plan, it was mentioned about the CO2 monitoring system which analyzes what leads to an increase in CO2 level in Gent and it is stated that even the CO2 emissions outside of the city is not monitored in this report, a great amount of these CO2 emissions is coming from the outer parts of the city (Stad Gent, n.d.).

This high CO2 level in the outer parts of the city can be related to the farmlands and food being transported from the agricultural lands to the city center as their contribution to CO2 emissions by the usage of pesticides and the food transportation is nonnegligible. Even implementing bio-markets in the city is an important step to enable the community to be reunited with the local food source, it still does not solve the problems that food miles cause, since the food is still being transported to the bio-markets in the city center from agricultural lands. Even today, 25% of the city of Gent is occupied with agricultural lands (Fig. 25) (Stad Gent, n.d.). The demand for food is expected to reach a peak correspondingly with the growth in population and demand for housing and mobility inside the city. Considering that, the food system is going to be more excluded out of the city, with more farmlands converted from ecologically valuable areas by 2050. This already gives an idea that the level of deforestation is going to increase more, causing to loss of even more green areas, which is already happening today with the current system.

The conclusion derived from this analysis in the city scale is that, by 2050, we are not going to be able to use the current food system because of its excessive land use, causing a great amount of water and food waste due to certain obstacles (such as extreme weather conditions), causing deforestation and a rise in the CO2 level. While to fulfill the demand for "enough food" is foreseen as struggling, to reach healthy and fresh food is going to be impossible with the current situation by 2050. Thus, introducing urban agriculture inside the city would create a difference in terms of minimizing all these negative impacts of the food system on our environment by lowering the food miles and the CO2 level, and also reuniting the community with the food source again. Introducing urban agriculture would also strengthen the link between food and natural systems for National Park City, which is currently a mere connection. At this point, the following question rises:

Fig. 25 Densification of Farmlands around the City, map drawn by the author

Is it possible to introduce urban agriculture inside the city of Gent, while improving the green infrastructure to create a link between food and nature?

Strategy in City Scale

Fig.26 Parkbos in Future Vision Map, map drawn as a groupwork

To find an answer for this question, the project site and its location in the city is investigated to examine how the food and natural system can be improved at the same time, not hampering each other as it is today.

The project already aims to improve the food system by promising to include all the stages of the food system from production until consumption to occur inside the neighborhood. To understand how the natural system can also be improved within the project, the existing green areas around the project site are analyzed. The site has a critical location since it is situated at the edge of the "Parkbos-the city forest of Gent", which is one of the four main green urban poles located at the south in the Future Vision Map of the city. While Maaltepark (shown by 2), which is located at the south of the project site (shown by 1), is considered to be a part of Parkbos; the wide forest (shown by 1), which is an ecologically valuable area located at the north direction of the project site, is currently not included in Parkbos. However, for ecological continuation and to extend the habitats of different species to have diversity in the biodiversity and natural ecosystem of animals, the forest should also be included in the limits of Parkbos.

2 1 Wide Forest 2 Maaltepark 3 Project Site

Currently, the project site is hampering the possible link between these two ecologically valuable areas. As for the strategy on the city scale, the site is designed to be "converted" into an ecological corridor linking these two softscapes, which will lead the project site to attain a new character.

Fig.27 Ecologically Valuable Lands Around the Project Site, drawn by the author

Fig.28 Neighborhood of Sint-Denijs Westrem, drawn by the author

04 | Village Scale

Site Analysis

7 6 8

1/5000 Site Plan 42

The study area is the neighborhood of SintDenijs Westrem which is located in the South part of Gent. It is situated at the edge of rural and urban areas. The neighborhood is still a part of the city since the important mobility axes which are Kortrijksesteenweg (shown by 13) and R4 (Buitenring-Sint-Denijs) (shown by 16) pass from this region. However, the outer ring (R4) (shown by 16) and Ringvaart (shown by 17) act as borders between the city center and the neighborhood. Complementing with its proximity to the agricultural lands, this leads the neighborhood to be a part of the rural areas as well, which gives the area both a rural and urban character.

2 5

13 14

16 17

The area has turned into an important mobility node because of the presence of these mobility axes that connect the rural areas around the city to the city center, and this creates an unsafe environment for the pedestrians and bikes, which led the village to lose its character as a community in the last few years. The Kortrijksestenweeg not only causes air and noise pollution and hampers accessibility by creating a traffic node but also separates the neighborhood from the adjacent neighborhood, Zwijnaarde, which leads to disconnection. 1 Project Site (Com-Vert Garden) 2 Maria Middelares Hospital 3 Parking Lot of Maria Middelares 4 Kinderdagverblijf Witje Wiebel VZW (Kindergarten) 5 Pharmacy 6 Forest 7 Flanders Expo 8 Holiday Inn 9 IKEA 10 Familiehulp (Care Services) 11 Armonia Residence Mayflower (Care Services) 12 Creative Therapy 13 Kortrijksesteenweg 14 Don Bosco School 15 Maaltebruggepark 16 R4, Buitenring-Sint-Denijs 17 Ringvaart

Site Analysis

Fig. 29 Function Diagram, drawn by the author

The area is mainly occupied by residential units. Apart from that, the commercial units are in majority. IKEA and Flanders Expo are the most well-known commercial units located near the project site that makes the neighborhood a frequented place for the rest of the city. Maria Middelares Hospital is also leading to a certain human circulation entering the neighborhood since it is an important hospital for the city. The lack of basic public facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries, and shops draws attention when the function map is examined (Fig. 29) which shows that the local people cannot meet their basic daily needs by walk or bike. This is one of the main reasons behind the neighborhood becoming a traffic node. The neighborhood has an aging population and due to the majority of elderlies in the village, there are three care service buildings.

commercial buildings residential buildings care services medical buildings educational buildings medical centers parking lot historical buildings hotel project site

Site Analysis

Sint-Denijs Westrem is mainly accessible by cars. This is already seen from the diagram with the excessive land use for the car parking lots, which has shaped the neighborhood according to car usage. This creates an unsafe and dangerous environment for the locals.

car circulation car road (two-way) car road (one-way) parking lots

public transportation tram line (two-way) tram line (one-way) tram stop bus line (two-way) bus stop

bike transportation bike road (two-way) bike road (one-way)

Fig. 30 Study of Accessibility, drawn by the author

The site can also be reached by tram and bus from the St Pieter's Station. Even the site has a bike circulation, the dense traffic makes it difficult for bike usage in the village. Pedestrians also struggle due to the fast mobility and lack of middle pedestrian crossings on Kortrijksestenweeg.

When the history of the village is searched, the traces of the Kortrijksesteenweg are already visible on the Ferraris Map (Fig. 31), which dates back to 1775. This shows that this road has always been an important mobility axis for the city of Gent to connect rural areas to the city center. The Ferraris Map gives an idea about how the neighborhood was organized in the 1700s. It was mainly occupied by grasslands and farmlands, which creates historical importance for the project to bring the traces of the food production back to the site.

It is also seen that most of the forest and Maaltepark, which is shown as "Blauwe Porte" on the map, is preserved until today. The year 1993 is a milestone in the history of the neighborhood, by gaining a new spatial development with the project Loop, which aimed to discourage the car usage with new bicycle and pedestrian facilities with tramlines to slow down the traffic and turn the area into an activity center. However, the situation with dense traffic in the area today explicitly reveals that this aim was not fulfilled.

1 Forest 2 Maaltepark

Grassland Fields Buildings Bushes & Shrubs

Vegetable Patches Trees Project Site Preserved Natural Areas

Fig. 31 Location of the Site on Ferraris Map, diagram by the author, data taken from (geopunt.be)

Site Analysis

6 5 4 2

3 7 1

The site is currently covered with untreated wild vegetation (shown by 1), and the density of car usage led this area to be turned into a car parking lot (shown by 7), which is generally used by the patients and the visitors of Maria Middelares Hospital. Despite being neglected as an ecologically valuable area, the site is rich in terms of diversity of vegetation and presence of water system with evergreen long trees (shown by 2), deciduous trees (shown by 5), small trees (shown by 4), bushes (shown by 6) and a lively creek (shown by 4). The vegetation and biodiversity in the area are mainly densified around the body of water. Hence, the vicinity of water bodies is an irreplaceable component for the facilitation of biodiversity. 1 Untreated Wild Vegetation 2 Evergreen Long Trees 3 Dry Creek 4 Creek Connected to Maalte Lake with Small Trees around 5 Deciduous Trees 6 Bushes 7 Project Site Currently Used as Parking Lot 8 The Forest Next to the Hospital 9 Kortrijksesteenweg as a Border

7 9

Fig. 32 Site Images, taken by the author

Site Analysis

2 1

3 3

Fig. 33 Site Images, taken by the author

Maaltebruggepark, which is also known as Maaltepark, is located next to the project site across the Kortrijksesteenweg and it has become a meeting point by attracting the locals with its rich biodiversity and wide range of different species. The park has a peaceful environment in which maximum interaction between humans and animals is maintained. It also has critical importance by being located inside the "Parkbos".

The Maaltekasteel, which is located in the North direction of the park has a rich history. Its traces are already visible on Ferraris Map as a farmstead. After being enlarged throughout the time, it was used as a retirement home until 2001 and it is currently used as an art and event center. The concept of designing a care home next to this historical castle that is used as a retirement home before would also respect the historical value of the area.

Fig.34 Nature in Maaltebruggepark, diagram by the author, data taken from https://deandereruimte.bmks.be/locatie/76 and https://catherinetine.blogspot.com/2014/09/welkom-in-hetmaaltepark-een-oase-van.html

Site Analysis

The existing vegetation and green-blue infrastructure in and around the site give it a unique character. The rich biodiversity in the forest and the Maaltepark reveals the potential of the area to expand this nature reserve and to serve as a bridge between them.

By being located next to Kortrijksesteenweg, the project site has the potential to become the new community center for the residents in this urbanized outskirts of the city within cycling and walking distance. However, the road act as a border which hampers the slow mobility, and also the green-blue network.

The Ramp for Pedestrians connecting the parking lot to the hospital at 2. level

Forest

Fig. 35 Conceptual Site Section Showing the Current Situation, drawn by the author

Maria Middelares Hospital

Ringvaart

1 2 3

Parking Lot

Benedict Gate Campus

Kortrijksesteenweg- N43

Maalte Castle

Maalte Park

Site Analysis

In the future vision, the area is aimed to be a part of the Ghent National Park City, by reducing the car domination and leaving the ground level for nature and people. The section below shows the intention to increase the bodies of water and nature while minimizing the fast mobility to promote slow mobility, which is achieved by converting the hardsape into softscape

Rather than food production causes deforestation levels to increase, in this project, Com-Vert Garden acts as both an accessible foodscape for the neighborhood, an interaction point for the community, and also an ecological corridor that creates a natural reserve at the heart of Sint-Denijs Westrem.

Care Hom

Fig. 36 Conceptual Site Section with Com-Vert Garden, Showing the Future Vision for Transmission of Green-Blue Infrastructure, drawn by the author

pedestrian

raised platform level to leave the ground for nature and people

1 2 3

me for Elderlies

Food Hub

Body of Water & Nature

Site Analysis Case Study: Pavilion de France by SOA Architecture

Being designed in 2015 for Universal Exhbition in Milan by SOA Architecture, the project has a vision of "Feeding the planet, energy for life". The main concept of the project is to have a nourishing garden dominating the area with a greenhouse above, raised from the ground level. The project is inspirational with how they highlight the nature rather than the building and how they gathered all the stages of the food production in one place, from production to storage, processing and trade. Fig. 37 Image Showing the Greenhouse elevated from the a Lush Garden Occupying the Entire Plot

Fig. 38 Latitudinal Section

Fig. 39 Longitudinal Section

Fig. 37, 38 & 39: taken from https://soa-architectes.fr/fr/urbanisme-agricole/article/pavillon-de-france/

The bodies of water and nature have another importance for the neighborhood, which are acting as borders. The wide forest at the North and the Ringvaart define the limit of the neighborhood, while the creek that is connecting Ringvaart to the Maalte Lake is separating the area into two parts as the hospital area (the project site) and the rest of the neighborhood. The mobility axes already shape the neighborhood. forming a boundary in between two neighborhoods, complementing with a rigid wall that is under this road.

Moreover, the rest of the village is strictly divided into commercial and private zones. While the commercial units are densified along the Kortrijksesteenweg, the residential units are almost squeezed in between these commercial units near the Kortrijksesteenweg and the commercial area with IKEA, Holiday Inn, and Flanders Expo. This is not only a visionary line but also a tangible rigid wall between commercial and residential areas (Fig. 40) which makes the accessibility from the rest of the neighborhood to the project site of Com-Vert Garden even more difficult, which forms the main essence of the strategy on the neighborhood scale.

Ringvaart, between neighborhood & city center

creek dividing the neighborhood into two zones

Kortrijksesteenweg, border between two neighborhood disconnection due to a barrier/building green area closed walls / barriers

zone 1 zone 2

water barrier mobility barrier

1 3 2

disconnection green area water barrier mobility barrier

1 zone 1: hospital area 2 zone 2: commercial area 3 zone 3: residential area

closed walls / barriers visionary line seperating different functions

Fig. 40 Diagrams Showing the Borders in the Neighborhood, drawn by the author

Village Scale Proposal

interventions:

trees

pedestrian circulation

1 improving Kortrijksesteenweg for accessibility & blue-green transmission 2 food production at the backyard of residential units 3 converting the car parking lot into an orchard 4 Project Site: Com-Vert Garden ( Care Home & Food Hub)

fruit trees

blue network

bike circulation

green network

car circulation

Proposed Site Plan for Neighborhood Scale (1/5000) 58

The main strategy on the village scale is to respond to the demand for food while minimizing food miles and integrating gardening into the daily lives of the residents to improve their well-being.

The neighborhood is designed to be a selfsufficient community regarding food, an accessible living area with slow mobility (for pedestrians, bikes, and logistic bikes) and rich in terms of blue-green network and biodiversity by 2050.

Village Scale Proposal First Intervention: Improving Kortrijksesteenweg for Accessibility & Blue-Green Transmission Accessibility is already a prerequisite for a livable environment, and it is even more important for a neighborhood with an aging population. Because, being worried about getting lost is experienced commonly among these people (Alzheimer's Society, 2017). The most significant obstacle regarding the accessibility in the area is the rigid walls that hamper human circulation and animal movement in between two green patches (Fig. 41).

This disconnection between two neighborhoods that are caused by this bridge is contradictory since the aim of the bridges is already to improve connectivity in an urban context. However, in this specific site, the bridge is ended up providing accessibility for car usage, and neglecting the human circulation and transmission of green and blue infrastructure.

Kor tr

ijks

est

een

Fig. 41 Current Situation of Kortrijksesteenweg with rigid walls, taken by the author

Fig. 42 Diagram Showing the Vision for Transmission of Green-Blue Infrastructure, drawn by the author

Case Study: : A8ERNA in Netherlands The project comprises improving a bridge that caused the urban tissue to be divided into two sides. By taking the community's suggestions, the leftover space below the bridge is renewed and multiple functions are implemented, including a supermarket, gathering areas, and a skate park (Fig. 44), which turned the area from a leftover space into a meeting point for the community (Architonic, n.d.). With a similar aim of providing integrity for the neighborhood, the Kortrijksesteenweg is improved in both accessibility, and softscape by extending the creek of Maalte Lake and introducing the presence of water to the project site, which is important for the wellbeing of the elderlies. The pedestrian paths are improved, the circulation for the bikes are arranged, sitting areas next to the extended creek (shown by 1) are placed, and a skatepark (shown by 2) is designed in close distance to the kindergarten (shown by 3) in the project site (shown by 4).

Case Study: : A8ERNA in Netherlands Fig. 43 & 44 image source: https://www.architonic.com/en/ project/nl-architects-a8erna/5100103

B' 1 Sitting Areas Around the Extended Creek 2 Skatepark

3 Kindergarten 4 Project site

Proposed Ground Floor Plan of under the Kortrijksesteenweg (1/2500) 61

Village Scale Proposal

Section A-A'

Section A-A' 62

The section shows the reinterpretation of this pre-existing left-over space under Kortrijksesteenweg by enabling the transmission of the blue and green network. This is achieved by removing the rigid walls that cover two sides of the road and converting them into pillars. The domination of the cars and their disturbance for the pedestrians and bikes are reduced by minimizing the width of the car road and creating an opening for nature to penetrate from the ground level. Meanwhile, slow mobility under the bridge is maintained by bike paths and pedestrian paths, which is provided by small bridges at a certain point to maximize the interaction between water and human. Thus, the ground level is now serving for community and nature, rather than a neglected lost space.

1 Green vs Grey Infrastructure-Bridge Level Green Infrastructure Grey Infrastructure 2 Spaces-Ground Level Community Space with Slow Mobility 3 Layers of Mobility-Bridge Level Paved Road Pedestrian Road Tramline Bike Path

Village Scale Proposal

Section B-B' 64

Apart from the raised part of the Kortrijkesteenweg breaking the continuity, the rest of the road is also problematic. The road is already well-known for accidents (Het Nieuwsblad. 2021), which already proves the danger for pedestrians. The prevention of car dominance is also kept in this part as the main idea. Besides reducing the width of the car lines, mid-block crossings are provided for pedestrians and the use of greenery in the mid-pedestrian paths defines the function of each circulation line to prevent any confusion, especially for elderly people to have easy wayfinding.

1 Green vs Grey Infrastructure-Bridge Level Green Infrastructure Grey Infrastructure 2 Layers of Mobility-Bridge Level Paved Road Pedestrian Road Tramline Bike Path Bus

Village Scale Proposal Second and Third Interventions: Food Production at the Backyard of Residential Units & Converting the Car Parking Lot into an Orchard

Fig. 45 Aerial View of the Intervention Site

For "converting" the neighborhood into a selfsufficient village that meets its food supply on daily basis by compromising all the stages of food production in one place, the starting point was to change the routine of the locals, by implementing gardening into their daily lives. This would both uplift the local autonomy by contributing to the production and improve the locals' wellness and prosperity.

With this aim, a specific part of the neighborhood is chosen in which residential and commercial zones are strictly separated from each other (Fig. 45). This separation is caused by a rigid wall, which breaks the continuity and hampers the integrity of the village (Fig. 46). To improve integrity and strengthen the social ties, the unused parts of the private gardens are connected and converted into a community garden, which is going to increase the interaction of the locals.

Fig. 46 Diagram Showing the Seperation of Residential and Commercial Zones, diagram drawn by the author

Village Scale Proposal

The main concept in this intervention is to enable the locals to contribute to the local economy while minimizing the food miles and promoting a shift towards more sustainable transportation of food. This is maintained by introducing a whole new food system in the neighborhood.

1 2

Food Production in Community Garden

Orchard Food Flow to Com-Vert Garden

6 mins (pedestrians)

2 mins (logistics bicycles)

Fig. 47 Diagram Showing the Food Flow from the Community Gardens and the Orchards, diagram drawn by the author

The steps of the new local food system are listed: 1 The unused and neglected spaces at the backyard of private units are revitalized, and converted into an interaction point for the neighbors in which gathering spaces with sitting areas, gardens, a playground for children, and a greenhouse maintained by the neighbors.

4 The products gathered in the communal food depot of the food hub in ComVert Garden that is responsible for food distribution in the neighborhood. With the products produced by elderlies in ComVert Garden, the products are distributed to main public buildings around the village.

2 The area is converted from a car parking lot (Fig. 49) into a car-free zone to discourage car usage inside the neighborhood and to increase the dominancy of softscapes among hardscapes. Thus, the area is evaluated as an orchard, which is going to give yield for Com-Vert Garden. It not only acts as an ecological corridor between the neighborhood and the Com-Vert Garden, but also a sensory garden to stimulate sensories of elderlies and improve reminiscence. 3 The products that are produced in the community garden (shown by 1) and in the orchards (shown by 2) are transported to Com-Vert Garden. The food flow is maintained within the neighborhood by logistic bikes (electro-cargo bikes) (Fig. 48). In this manner, the food miles and the negative impact given to the environment due to food transportation is reduced. The transportation is maintained by the Food Team of Sint-Denijs Westrem.

Fig. 48 Logistic bikes (Electro-Cargo Bikes) image source: https://www.yokler.com/accueil-fr/en/ecologicallast-mile-delivery-logistics-cargo-bike/

Fig. 49 Diagram Showing the Current Situation of the Car Parking Lot, diagram drawn by the author

Village Scale Proposal

Case Study: A Greenhouse with LED Light in North Yorkshire, UK

As a part of the experiment conducted by the biologists at the Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC), how plants responded to certain wavelengths of LED light is investigated and it is found that a certain mixture of blue and red light is providing full-spectrum, thus it is the most suitable light for the plants to be developed well for all stages of growth. It is proved that it ensures an increase in shelf life, while a high production rate is maintained as LED light bulbs don’t produce much heat. This means the shelves can be stacked on top of each other and it requires less space. Another advantage of growing plants in a greenhouse with LED light is that it does not require any chemicals and it provides a yield all year round (Light Bulbs Direct, n.d.). increase in shelf life of products high production rate

less space & more products no chemicals are needed yield all year round Fig. 50, 51 & 52 Growing plants with LED Light in a Greenhouse in North Yorkshire, UK image source: https://blog.lightbulbs-direct.com/philips-anduk-scientists-create-a-revolution-in-horticulture/

Since daylight is a crucial element for food production, the sun path of the area is investigated (Fig. 53). It is observed that the shadows of the surrounding buildings are projected on the backyard of the residential units in the morning. Thus, implementing a vegetable garden would not be efficient.

As a solution, food production is decided to be ensured with LED light in a greenhouse, which guarantees a high yield all year round without being affected by any external factor such as shade of the buildings, with a high production rate. Besides, it draws attention with its light color, which would attract more local people to contribute in the food production.

Fig. 53 Sun Path Diagram of the Residential Units

Village Scale Proposal

Current Situation wall

Future Proposal

1/ 200 Section C-C' 72

gate

The disconnection between two areas as commercial and residential zones is caused by the barriers, which are the neglected untreated vegetation and unused storage at the backyard, the wall situated next to the residential units, and the gate. Thus, a certain part of the private gardens becomes lost space, just as space in between the wall and the gate, which is currently not used other than parking cars and trucks, being covered by garbage. Rather than this spatial segregation causing a great amount of lost spaces, this area is evaluated as for food production and a socializing point for the neighbors. In this matter, gardening would be a part of these people's lives, which would reconnect the people in the community and strengthen social ties.

Village Scale Proposal

Current Situation

Future Proposal

private zone

lost space

common area with food production

commercial area

ecological corridor passing through the orchard

Fig. 54 Comparison of the Current Situation and the Future Vision for the Backyard & Car Parking Lot, drawn by the author

Case Study: Re-Gen The pilot project is a self-sustaining village designed by EFFEKT in Almere, the Netherlands and serves as a prototype model for the whole world with multuiple functions such as organic food production and vertical aquaponics (EFFEKT, 2021).

The food production in Com-Vert Garden is also mainly maintained by vertical aquaponics, which is an efficient and sustainable way of food production, as it is in Re-Gen Villages.

The main aim of the project is responding to the current challanges that the world is facing today such as urbanization and food scarcity, while develping the sense of community within the village. The concept of involving community in food production to create a self-sustaining village is the main design strategy of Com-Vert Garden in the neighborhood scale, which makes this reference project inspirational. Fig. 55 Vertical Aquaponics in Re-Gen Villages

Fig. 56 Re-Gen Villages

Fig. 55 & 56 image source: https://www.regenvillages.com/ & https://www.effekt.dk/regenvillages

Village Scale Proposal

Fourth Intervention: Com-Vert Garden

5 4

Fig. 57 Diagram Showing the Food Distribution from Com-Vert Garden, drawn by the author

At the fourth step of the neighborhood scale, the products coming from the greenhouse in the community garden and the orchards are collected at the communal depot in the food hub of Com-Vert Garden, which is not only responsible for collecting food source from the neighborhood but also for incorporating food production with aquaponics, vegetable gardens, community gardens, and interior food growing.

A certain part of this local food is distributed to main public buildings in the neighborhood, which are:

1 IKEA 2 Holiday Inn 3 Flanders Expo 4 Familiehulp (Care Services For Elderly) 5 Armonia Residence Mayflower (Care Services For Elderly) 6 Creative Therapy (Care Services For Elderly) 7 Don Bosco School 8 Kinderdagverblijf Witje Wiebel VZW (Kindergarten) 9 Maria Middelares Hospital This distribution of food is maintained by the Food Team Sint-Denijs Westrem, with logistic cargo bikes, as it was in the second and the third intervention.

Food Flow from Com-Vert Garden to Main Public Buildings

Apart from maintaining food supply for the neighborhood, the building aims to engage the local community in healthy eating by providing a biomarket and a restaurant in which they can meet with the healthy and local food. Meanwhile, they can experience all the stages of the new local food system within this building.

05 | Building Scale

Design Strategies

Design Strategies Derived From the Site orientation

1 For the development of the green-blue network, the building is elevated from the ground level at certain parts to leave the ground for nature and The orientation has

nature inclusive design

2 For the development of the greenblue network, the building is elevated from the ground level at certain parts to leave the ground for nature and people.

3 The rainwater harvesting is ensured on the platform level and ground level to use for the irrigation. The site is reintroduced with the water, by revitalizing the dried creeks and enriching the water body by extending.

4 The air quality of the building is ensured for the comfort of elderlies.

Design Strategies

natural ventilation

1 High wind velocities, which can be up to 30% in Ghent, are partially blocked by surrounding buildings which minimizes the disturbance.

2 The building is close to the Ringvaart. Thus, it is positioned parallel to the canal to catch the flow of the stream.

3 Natural ventilation is ensured by providing earth tubes for cooling the building in summer. The atriums in the building transfer the cooled air to the building.

4 Raised floors enable more access to breezes.

5 Use of deciduous trees provide shadow on hot summer days and also enable penetration of winter sun in the building by not blocking the winter sun summer

data taken from (Allard, Francis et. al. 1998, 195-202)

winter

orientation

Orientation plays a significant role in the design process. Since the food production is situated towards the south-east direction, the modular grid system is formed accordingly and the other functions are placed afterward. Terraces ensure to have a cozy and exhilarating atmosphere, especially for the elderlies to benefit from daylight. In light of this information, most of the terraces are faced through the west direction, which creates a feeling of retreat by getting plenty of sun on the second half of the day, where the residents can enjoy the afternoon sun.

The westerlies coming from the North direction bring a cool breeze to the site in winter. Thus, the residential units are placed in the opposite direction which is southwest. East and west-facing bedrooms are avoided to prevent the inconvenient glare and sun exposure in the morning and evening. The south facade is chosen for locating the common areas for getting plenty of sunlight throughout the whole year. However, the solar radiation penetrates and is trapped inside during summer, which may create a disturbance for south-facing areas Thus, a seasonal shading system is designed to block the excessive amount of daylight on hot summer days (Gupta, Rajat et. al. 2015, 4970)

terraces residential units living area (common area) aquaponics

Fig. 58 Diagram Showing the Strategies for the Orientation of Different Functions a, drawn by the author

Design Strategies Universal & Inclusive Design Principles For Elderly

sensory experience

easy way-finding

wisely-arranged space articulation

CLT Wood

wellness & prosperity of elderlies

Air Quality a cosy, calming & comfortable atmosphere

Collective Living

Fig. 59. Strategies for Elderlies, data taken from https://issuu.com/perkinseastman_pgh/docs/perceptions_of_wellness_2020_perkins_eastman

color-coding with high color contrast

prevent reflective surfaces

in direct contact with food & nature

visual/direct link with nature, fluid transition between indoor and outdoor without treshold

simple & flexible spaces

large glazing with low eye- level openings for disabled users

accessibility

private & communal life taking place at the same building for high interaction

For maintaining the prosperity of elderlies living in Com-Vert Garden at maximum level, certain approaches are followed during the design process. With the design strategies in Fig. 59, the most commonly experienced problems by elderlies are prevented such as being worried about getting lost.

Design Strategies

Materiality CASE STUDY: Peter Rosegger Nursing Home, Graz / Dietger Wissounig Architekten This 2-storey nursing home, which was constructed in 2014, serves 8 housing communities gathered around the central atrium. Each community consists of 13 residents and a caregiver, which is inspirational for promoting collective living. The rooms are centrally located in a close distance to the common service areas which are a kitchen and a dining room. A link is created with nature and the residents by providing seating near the large glazings in each room. Fig. 60 Pathways Around the Opening

Fig. 61 Central Plaza

Openings, terraces, and various pathways are provided leading to an open and exhilarating space articulation. The use of wooden panels also adds a pleasant touch to the atmosphere. The large glazing along the corridors looking through the garden terraces are providing a visual connection with nature. The structure is formed of a prefabricated wooden frame construction composed of cross-laminated timber and wood beams. On the outer facade, a unique wood type found in the area is used. The use of the material is creating a cozy atmosphere, and how the designers implemented wood for different purposes such as panels for sheltering and security on the stairs, is making the building unique in a manner (Plataforma Arquitectura, 2014).

Fig. 62 Wood Panels Implemented for Different Purposes

Fig. 63 Corridors with large glazing with a visual link with garden

Fig. 60, 61, 62 & 63 image source: https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/757445/peter-rosegger-nursing-home-dietger-wissounigarchitekten?ad_medium=gallery

Wood frame structure complementing with cross-laminated timber is chosen for the main structure of the Com-Vert Garden, because to have an open structure without finishing is the main strategy for materiality, and its positive impact on health is already proven. It creates a cozy atmosphere which has an importance for the mental state of elderlies.

The construction of the Com-Vert Garden is conducted by the "Wood Department" of Don-Bosco School (Fig. 64). A large part of the lessons of this department is taking place on construction sites. Thus, Com-Vert Garden becomes the workplace in which the students of Don-Bosco School can be involved. This would also strengthen the idea of the project to involve the community.

Advantages of Wood

improves emotional state exposes feelings of warmth and comfort

lowers blood pressure, heart rate and stress levels improves air quality by moderating humidity

well insulation and energy efficient long term store of carbon helping to fight with climate change sustainable by being made from a renewable resource Simplicity of construction. The wood beams, joists, and studs can be cut to size onsite and, unlike the other construction materials, no heavy equipment is required

Speed of construction

data taken from (https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/timber-makes-you-feelgood-and-helps-you-heal-says#) and (https://www.mtcopeland.com/blog/ all-about-wood-construction-advantages-disadvantages/)

Fig. 64. Location of Don Bosco School, diagram drawn by the author

Site Analysis

Fig.65 Sun Path Diagram, drawn by the author

Fig. 66 Wind Rose Diagram, drawn by the author data taken from (https://world-weather.info/archiv

The sun path is analyzed for a single day on-site and the optimum orientation for implementing food production, which is South-East direction, is shown on the diagram. Because of the orientation and the location of the site, the shades of the surrounding buildings have a crucial role in the design process.

The site is exposed to wind from all the wind speed occasionally excee with the highest velocity, known as w times (National Geographic, n.d.) an to a large extend.

km/h

>61

cool breeze coming from North and North-East direction (westerlies)

warm wind coming from South-West direction (westerlies)

existing buildings blocking the wind

r ve/belgium/gent/)

Fig. 67 Wind Diagram, drawn by the author data taken from (https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe/Climate)

l directions throughout the year and eds 60 km/h. The South-West wind westerlies, is strongest in the winter nd blocked by the existing buildings

Westerlies bring warm air from the South-East direction in summer, and in winter it flows from the opposite direction which is North and NorthEast, bringing cool breeze. The warm air currency is partially blocked by the existing buildings. By implementing earth tubes in the design, it is not forming a high disturbance in summer.

Site Analysis

9 AM

On the sun path diagram (Fig. 65), it is observed that the site is slightly oriented towards the South-East direction, which means the shades of the surrounding buildings project on the site in the morning and afternoon. Thus, certain times of the year (20 November and 20 May) are selected and the impact of the surrounding buildings' shadows is visualized in the diagram for a certain time of these specific days (Fig. 68). In the spring, the shades are not posing an obstacle for the site, which is advantageous for food production and housing block. However, in the autumn, they cover a certain part of the site, which means almost half of it can only benefit from daylight during spring and summer.

13 PM

16 PM

Spring (20 May)

Autumn (20 November)

Fig. 68 Shadow Studies on Site, drawn by the author

Site Analysis

Fig. 69 Schematic Diagram of Existing Situation in Autumn, drawn by the author

Fig. 70 The Area that Benefits from Daylight in Every Season, drawn by the author

In the first step (Fig. 69), the existing situation of the site in autumn is tackled to analyze the most advantageous part of the site in terms of having daylight for situating the building. The projection of the shadows of the surrounding buildings helps to define the limits of the projection of the building (Fig. 70). The next step is defining the main circulation paths that are connecting the neighborhood to the project site. There are two main entrances for pedestrians: one is reaching the site from the Maria Middelares Hospital, and the other one is from the rest of the neighborhood with Maaltebruggepark. This entrance is also used by bikes for food circulation coming from the community gardens and orchards. An additional entrance is also provided for only bikes from the ground level of the parking lot. Maria Middelares Hospital Parking Lot Community Garden &Orchards Maaltepark

Fig. 71 Main Circulation Paths Reaching to the Site, drawn by the author

Site Analysis

Fig. 72 Defining the Projection of Com-Vert Garden , drawn by the author

Fig. 73 Schematic Diagram Showing the Circulation on Ground Level, drawn by the author

The building is situated being oriented towards South-East direction, parallel to the Ringvaart which would enable to catch the cool flow of the stream. The projection of the building is defined by fitting a 4 m to 5m grid system inside the area that has daylight throughout the whole year.

The ground level is left for nature and circulation for people, enabling the greenblue network to be introduced in the site by raising the building at certain parts. The form of the building is also enclosing the existing vegetation for the neighbors and visitors to have a haptic experience, with a welcoming space.

2 1 Dried Creek 2 Extension of the Maalte Lake

private zone (care home) public zone (food hub with biomarket, restaurant & food depot) transition zone between public and private / circulation & interaction

Fig. 74 Development of Blue Network, drawn by the author

Fig. 75 Articulation of Different Zones on the Elevated Level (Level 1), drawn by the author

Since the existence of water elements in the living environment improves the mental health of the elderly, water is a crucial element in the design process. Thus, the blue network is extended and reintroduced to the site, which would also lead a circulation of animals. The dried creek in the north direction is revitalized, and connected to the Maalte Lake in the south direction.

The building is divided into 3 zones according to their proximity to certain services and circulation. The public zone is situated in the North direction of the site since the food & human flows are circulating from the North. The care home is placed in the South direction, which is in touch with the existing nature and closer to the hospital in case of a possible need for health care. The third part is a transition area in between two areas.

Building Programme

Floor Planning

Attaining three different zones to the building leads the building to be divided into two main building blocks that are linked to each other with a platform at the first level: the care home which is situated next to Maria Middelares Hospital (Block 1), and the food hub (Block 2).

The care home for elderlies has 6 floors in total, 5 floors with an additional basement level, and the food hub is a two-story building block. They are connected with a platform at the first level, which includes circulation, sitting areas, and maximum interaction of the community.

Maria Middelares Hospital Parking Lot Care Home (Block 1) Food Hub (Block 2)

Fig. 76 Diagram Showing the Concept od Seperating into 2 Blocks, diagram drawn by the author

CASE STUDY: Nursing and Retirement Home, Leoben / Dietger Wissounig Architekten

The building is a nursing home hosting 49 residents and is enclosed by an open landscape in Leoben, Austria. It is a 2-storey building constructed in 2014, in which each floor has a different space articulation.

Fig. 77 The Building Surrounded by Nature

Fig. 78 Conservatory on Longitudinal Section

The ground floor serves as a public zone with different facilities such as a kitchen, laundry, therapy rooms, and a cafe, which is one of the most characteristic areas in the building by facing a conservatory that reaches the full height at the middle of the building (Fig 78). This atrium forms a direct link with nature inside. The first floor is reserved for residential units for people with dementia, with dining areas and a terrace. On the second floor, there are 25 residential rooms, common areas such as a dining area, and a south-facing terrace. The use of light is a key element in the design. Illumination is provided by large glazing, unhindered link with nature, and openings looking through the atrium (Fig 79). As for materiality, a combination of wood construction and light colors are dominating the interior and outer facades. These design strategies regarding light, colors, and materials create a soft and cozy atmosphere inside the building, providing a direct relation with nature.

Fig. 79 Circulation around the Atrium

Fig. 77, 78 & 79: image source: https://www.archdaily.com/775831/nursing-and-retirement-home-dietger-wissounig-architekten

Building Programme

residential units

dining area

common area

terraces

residential floors residential floor for dementia common area

mechanical rooms

cafe

offices

common area

flexible common area

library

meditation room

The basement level of the care home includes technical rooms for mechanical equipment of the earth tubes and storages. The first two levels (ground level and platform level) are reserved for common areas, such as a library, training room, meditation room, cafe, laundry, and flexible activity areas.

Fig. 80 Building Programme, diagram drawn by the author

training room

laundry

The residential units are included at the second, third, and fourth levels of the care home. Thus, these three floors are serving as private areas. The first floor of the residential floors is distinctively designed for people with dementia

vegetable gardens & terraces

terraces

aquaponics

kitchen

restaurant

biomarket

storage

common area common area

aquaponics

The food hub is a two-story building block and the platform level of the food hub has a double-height extending to the roof. The ground level is designed to be the communal food depot where the circulation of food is maintained with the neighborhood.

food depot

While the ground floor is responsible for the storage, food arrival, and distribution of food production, the upper floor is carrying out the other stages of the new food system, which are processing, retailing, and serving food to the consumer in the restaurant. Food production is included on both floors with aquaponics and all the stages of food are conducted by elderlies.

Building Programme

Fig. 81 Conceptual Section with Color-Codes, drawn by the author

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Tackling with the problems of elderlies, which are mainly social isolation, way-finding and confusion is a crucial part of the design process, especially for the care home. The care home should be more than creating a care setting in which the caretakers feel like patients, rather than residents. Thus, the care home in Com-Vert Garden aims to create a livable atmosphere with high interaction inside, in which the residents feel a part of it and embrace it as their homes. In this manner, the concept of "residential units as homes, and corridors as living streets" is integrated into the care home, by implementing color-coding to each floor to prevent any confusion about way-finding. While the common areas in Com-Vert Garden are coded with blue, each residential floor is given a different color which are yellow, red, and green. Each floor has three main "living streets", and each is named as the food that is being produced in that corridor. These specific plants are chosen to grow inside since they are suitable for interior growing.

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Building Programme

ground level 1 common areas gathered around the atrium 2 communal depot

first level 1 common areas gathered around the atrium (coded with blue) 2 biomarket, restaurant, aquaponics & kitchen (coded with blue) 3 gardening, sitting areas & circulation 1

seond level 1 residential floor (coded with yellow) 2 biomarket, restaurant, aquaponics & kitchen (coded with blue)

Fig. 82 Diagram Showing Different Functions on Each Floor, drawn by the author

102

third level 1 residential floor (coded with red) 1

fourth level 1 residential floor (coded with green)

roof 1 green roof

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Design Proposal

Fig. 83 Accessibility Diagram, drawn by the author

104

The parking lot is already connected to the Maria Middelares Hospital from the second level. To provide accessibility to the platform level from the parking lot and hospital, this ramp is extended at two parts: 1 at the middle of the platform, until the ground floor 2 connection to the platform level of the care hometo be connected to Kortrijksesteenweg.

Kortri jk

seste

enwe

Apart from the ramps, the platform is accessed by stairs (shown by 3) and elevators (shown by 4). While the care home has two entrances from the platform level, the food hub has one entrance from the platform and one from the ground floor, which is ensured by a ramp that circulates the aquaponics and enables the visitors to experience the food production while they are reaching to the upper floor. The food hub is also accessible for bike circulation, for maintaining the food flow. This bike path is reaching the parking lot as well, to be connected to Kortrijksesteenweg. Platform level First floors of the blocks Vertical circulation ( ramps) Vertical circulation (lifts & stairs) Connection of parking lot, hospital and the Com-Vert Garden Bike circulation Main Entrance

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Design Proposal

typology 1 1 person 18.9 m2 + 11.1 m2 (balcony)

typology 2 2 people 37.5 m2 + 11.1 m2 (balcony)

1/ 100 Plans of the Typologies in Care Home 106

The rooms, which have two types, are fit into the grid system (4 m x 5 m), to serve for a maximum capacity of residents by covering the minimum area per room. The rooms do not include a kitchen and bathrooms since communal collective living for socializing is promoted and elderlies mostly require help from caregivers. The furniture is organized by respecting the circulation of disabled residents. Large glazings are provided to maximize the relationship between nature and the resident, and a seating place is placed next to this facade for the residents to have a fluid connection between indoor and outdoor space (Fig. 85).

Fig. 84 Seating next to the glazing in residential units in Peter Rosegger Nursing Home in Graz (Dietger Wissounig Architekten) image source: (https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/757445/

peter-rosegger-nursing-home-dietger-wissounig-architekten?ad_medium=gallery)

Spider plants are implemented in the rooms to improve elderlies' mental health. To care for a plant would also improve their reminiscence and stimulate sensories.

Fig. 85 Conceptual section showing the transition between indoor and outdoor drawn by the author

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Design Proposal

4 5 3

6 2

7 1

2 14 8 15 9

14 13

10 16 12

1/ 500 Ground Floor Plan 108

27 29

24 34

31 33

32 LEGEND Food Hub Care Home 18 Food production with aquaponics 1 The main atrium (Activity & Meeting point) 19 Pedestrian entrance 2 Sitting areas with greenery in the atrium 20 Storage 3 Offices 21 Good processing/Sorting department 4 Administrator office 22 Food arrival 5 Lifts for the residents/visitors 23 Food departure 6 Cafe 24 Packaging department- for the food hub 7 The main entrance from the ground floor 25 Packaging department- for the distribution 8 Meditation Room 26 Food depot 9 Flexible activity rooms seperated with 27 Service lift openable panels 28 WC 10 Sitting areas 29 Fire escape 11 Laundry 30 Lift reaching to the biomarket & restaurant 12 Lift for staff 13 Storage 31 Fruit trees 14 WC 32 Vegetable gardens 15 WC for staff 33 Community activity area 16 Fire escape 34 Playground & sitting areas under the platform 17 Print room & archive 35 Sensory garden

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Design Proposal

Fig. 86 The Space Under the Platform with the Adjacent Parking Lot 110

Fig. 87 Current Situation of the Parking Lot, image taken by the author

Fig. 88 Green Envelope for the Parking Lot The parking lot which is situated next to ComVert Garden is covered by a green envelope to create a more pleasant atmosphere and to minimize the ambient noise level. A bike path is connected to the parking lot that reaches to Kortrijksesteenweg.

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Design Proposal

3 2

13 14 15

2 14 13

12 13

1/ 500 First Floor Plan (Platform Level) 112

25 27

24 29

28 30

22 20 19

LEGEND Food Hub Care Home 17 Aquaponics 1 The main atrium (Activity & meeting point) 18 Ramp connected to the entrance 2 Flexible activity rooms seperated with 19 Lift openable sliding panels 20 Biomarket 3 Reception 21 Restaurant 4 Extension of the ramp connected to the hospital 22 Bar 5 Main reception 23 Kitchen 6 Monumental staircase for easy wayfinding 24 Storage 7 Lİft for residents/visitors 25 Service lift 8 Library 26 WC 9 Library terrace 27 Fire escape 10 Sitting area 11 Training room Platform 12 Lift for staff 28 Ramp connecting the platform to the parking 13 Storage lot (2. level) and to the ground level 14 WC 29 Lift connecting the platform to the parking 15 WC for staff lot (2. level) and to the ground level 16 Fire escape 30 Gardening for interaction between community and elderlies 31 Sitting areas 32 Restaurant terrace

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Design Proposal

Fig. 89 Main Atrium with A Monumental Staircase, Designed as a Meeting & Activity Area in the Care Home (Shown by 1) 114

The color code of each floor leads the residents to the circulation cores and the common areas, for easy way-finding. The ground floor is coded by blue and a monumental staircase is situated in the middle of the atrium, which is designed to be an activity area where the residents can perform or any activity can take place while the visitors and the residents can spend time in this common area. There are common flexible areas around the atrium which can be separated into small rooms with sliding panels for adapting different activities, such as arranging tournaments for elderlies. The atrium is enriched by greenery, to increase the elderlies' engagement with nature in their living area. These green areas have direct daylight through the openings on the roof.

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Design Proposal

Biomarket

Fig. 90 Elderlies Working in the Food Hub 116

Aquaponics

Restaurant

All the stages of the new food system can be experienced in the food hub by the visitors, including production, retail, and consumption in the restaurant. The ramp situated in the middle is leading the visitors to the upper level, in which the biomarket, restaurant, and aquaponics are located, and it enables the visitors to observe the food production on the South-East facade by being surrounded by aquaponics. In this manner, the community would be reunited with the local food source and can trace which steps do the food pass until it reaches their table. Elderlies involve in every step including working in the kitchen, food production, communal food depot, retail (biomarket), and providing service to the consumer. Complementing with the open and free space articulation with a fluid transition between different functions taking place on the same floor, elderlies conducting the whole process would renormalize elderlies to be a part of the community. The aquaponics are reached by the elderlies by hydraulic lifts. The food hub is designed according to the color-code concept, by keeping the idea of using blue for common areas as it is in the care home. The visitors can follow the blue color to reach the main circulation cores, which are the ramp and the lifts.

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Design Proposal The first floor of the food hub is still visible on this plan because of its 2-storey height.

ric

rin

m ey

9 11

1/ 500 Second Floor Plan (Yellow Floor) 118

LEGEND Care Home 1 Residential units (1 person) 2 Residential units (2 people) 3 Common area 4 Dining area 5 Lift for residents/visitors 6 Terrace 7 Caregiver room 8 Lift for staff 9 Common bathroom 10 WC for staff 11 Storage 12 Fire escape

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Design Proposal

Olive Street (Green Floor) Mulberry Bush Street (Red Floor) Mandarin Street (Yellow Floor)

Fig. 91 The "Mandarin Street" at the Yellow Floor 120

The yellow floor in the care home is occupied by residents with dementia. As all the residential corridors, which is 3 on each floor, are given the name of the plant/food that is being produced in that street, mandarins are being raised by the residents of this street in Figure 90. This is beneficial for elderlies for not only improving reminiscence by taking care of the plants but also helps the residents to create a link between the color, the food, and the location of their rooms. In other words, the residents living on a spesific floor can memorize that their room is situated on the street with the food that they are taking care, which would minimize the confusion about way-finding. The sitting areas and the foods are situated looking towards the main atrium.The furniture on each floor is also selected in the same color as that floor. The color code of each floor can be seen through the atrium, which would also reduce the level of confusion. The "living streets" (residential corridors) receive daylight for most of the day through the openings on the roof.

121

Design Proposal

11 9 12

9 11

4 6

1/ 1000 Third Floor Plan (Red Floor) 122

11 9

9 11

14 2

1 13

4 6

1/ 1000 Fourth Floor Plan (Green Floor) 123

Design Proposal

1/ 500 Roof Plan 124

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Design Proposal

Fig. 92 Food Flow within the Building, diagram drawn by the author

There are 2 main circulation of food inside the building. The first one is the circulation of the food produced inside the building. The products that are produced in the aquaponics in the "Food Production Department" (shown by 1) are transferred to the "Good Processing Department" (shown by 2) to be sorted out.

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Afterward, the products are sent to be packaged at the "Packaging Department" (Shown by 3) After being packed, the products are either stored in the food depot (shown by 4), or sent to the next department which is responsible for boxing the packed products (shown by 5), to be distributed to the neighborhood from the "Food Departure" part (shown by 6).

Fig. 93 Food Flow Between the Neighborhood and the Building, diagram drawn by the author

The second circulation is maintained between the neighborhood and the Com-Vert Garden. The products that are produced in the community gardens at the backyard of the residential units, and in the orchards, are transported to the building by the food team of Sint-Denijs Westrem, by logistic bikes.

After arriving at the "Food Arrival Department" (shown by 1) the products are sorted out at the "Good Processing Department" (shown by 2). The rest of the process follows the same path as the food inside the building do.

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Design Proposal

Green Roof for insulation

Tintable glass

Earth Tubes on South-West Operable timber shading system on East- West direction

Fig. 94 Passive Strategies in hte Com-Vert Garden, drawn by the author

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Fixed timber shading system on South-East facade

Main Passive Sustainable Strategies in the Com-Vert Garden: 1 For decreasing the heat inside the building in summer, earth tubes are used to cool down the warm air. 2 Since the living streets (residential corridors) include food production, enough daylight is provided through the openings on the roof, which would cause excessive heat inside the building as well. Thus, The illuminance is minimized by using tintable glass on the roof. 3 For better thermal insulation and to reduce heat island effect, a green roof is implemented, which is also more durable than the conventional roofs. since it has a higher lifespan. 4 Direct solar radiation is blocked by designing a facade shading system.The system is also differentiates according to the orientation.

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Design Proposal

prevailing south-east prevailing south-west wind wind

earth tube

Fig. 95 Passive Strategies & Improving the Air Quality of the Building by Using Earth Tubes, diagram drawn by the author

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Level +3 +1870

Level +3 +1530

Level +3 +1190

The air quality is a curical element for the elderlies. Thus, a natural ventilation which maintains the air quality inside the building is provided for the common areas by using earth tubes and openable windows. The main principle of the earth tubes is to receive the prevailing south-east wind, and after cooling the warm air down, transferring it to the main atrium. Then, the cool air is distributed to the common areas in the building through the atrium.

Level +2 +850

Level +1 +340 (platform level)

Level 0 0

Level -1 -340

Fig. 96 Environmental Science & Chemistry Building, University of Toronto, image source: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ projects/escb/

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Design Proposal

As for minimizing the solar gain inside the building, a timber facade shading system is designed. By taking the "Çeşme 7800 Apart Hotel" by Emre Arolat Architects as a reference for the South-East facade (Fig. 97), a fixed facade system is chosen to be implemented (Fig. 99 & 100).

For the shading system of the East and West direction an openable-flexible shading system is implemented as it is on the facade system of Compiègne Univeristy of Technology (Fig. 98), to control the level of daylight penetrating inside in the morning and the afternoon by adjusting the movable facade system. In this manner, thermal discomfort is prevented due to excessive glare.

Fig. 97 Emre Arolat Architecture- Çeşme 7800 Apart Hotel, image source: https://emrearolat.com/project/cesme-7800residences-and-hotel/

Fig. 98 Compiègne Univeristy of Technology / Ameller, Dubois & Associés,image source: https://www.archdaily.com/486302/ compiegne-univeristy-of-technology-ameller-dubois-andassocies?ad_medium=gallery

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Fig. 99 & 100 Facade System on South-East Facade of the Care Home

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06 | Conclusion

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Conclusion Social exclusion is a commonly experienced problem among the elderly today. Considering the increasing rate of the aging population in Belgium, the social exclusion of elderlies from society is going to have vital importance for the prosperity of the community by 2050. Elderly pulling themselves from society causes social isolation by affecting their mental and physical health in a negative way, which leads to the incidence of certain health problems. These health problems are accepted as an inevitable ending for the elderly people in society. However, they are not a natural part of the aging process. The project of Com-Vert Garden reveals that how this important topic regarding elderly care is not tackled wisely today, which is proven by the current situation. Thus, the project searches for an alternative way of living for elderlies to improve their wellbeing and prosperity in the long-term, in which they meet with a livable environment and can engage with food and nature.

Food production and nature are used as design tools in the project to prevent this "foregone conclusion" of the elderly being excluded from society. This way, the elderly would be mentally, physically, and socially active as a part of the community by being involved in every step of local food production that is conducted within the same place, and also the local food production would be reintroduced within the city, which would minimize the negative environmental impacts of the current traditional food system by minimizing the food miles and leads the community to be reunited with the local and healthy food source. The project came to the conclusion that creating a vital link between community, food, and nature is a necessity for prosperity and maintaining social ties among the society, and by healing the food, the community can also be healed. It reveals that care for the elderly is possible without medicines and to reach local food is possible within the urban context, in a self-supported neighborhood. We should not neglect the fact that one day, we are going to experience these as elderly, thus, in a way we are building our future by ourselves.

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07 | Bibliography

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Books Allard, Francis et. al. 1998. In Natural Ventilation in Buildings: a Design Handbook. London: James and James (Science Publishers) Ltd. Gupta, Rajat et. al. 2015. Green Building Interventions for Social Housing. Nairobi. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Websites ArchDaily. 2015. " Nursing and Retirement Home / Dietger Wissounig Architekten." Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.archdaily.com/775831/nursing-and-retirement-home-dietger-wissounig-architekten. Architecture & Design. 2015. "Timber makes you feel good and helps you heal, says new Planet Ark report." Accessed April 25, 2021. https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/timber-makes-you-feel-goodand-helps-you-heal-says#. Brittanica. n.d. "Climate of Europe." Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe/ Climate. Copeland. 2020. " All About Wood Construction: Advantages & Disadvantages." Accessed April 25, 2021. https://www.mtcopeland.com/blog/all-about-wood-construction-advantages-disadvantages/. CSA-NETWERK. n.d. "Healthy agriculture for committed local residents." Accessed October 20, 2021. http://www.csa-netwerk.be/. Effekt. 2021. "Regen Villages." Accessed May 31, 2021. " https://www.effekt.dk/regenvillages." Fao.org. 2021. "Results | Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM) | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations." Accessed November 6, 2020. http://www.fao.org/gleam/ results/en/. Het Nieuwsblad. 2021. " In Sint-Denijs-Westrem, most accidents take place at only two locations: “There is still a lot of work here”." Accessed May 19,2021. https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20210308_97955826. National Geographic. n.d. "Wind." Accessed April 29, 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/ encyclopedia/wind/. Plataforma Arquitectura. n.d. " Peter Rosegger Nursing Home / Dietger Wissounig Architekten ." Accessed May 4, 2021. https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/757445/peter-rosegger-nursing-home-dietgerwissounig-architekten?ad_medium=galler. Regen Villages. n.d. Accessed May 30, 2021. " https://www.regenvillages.com/."SOA Architectes. "Pavillion de France." Accessed February 26, 2021. "https://soa-architectes.fr/fr/urbanisme-agricole/article/pavillonde-france/." Statistiekvlaanderen.be. 2020. "Population By Age And Gender." Accessed March 6, 2021. https://www. statistiekvlaanderen.be/en/population-by-age-and-gender-0.

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TEDtalksDirector. 2009. "Carolyn Steel: How Food Shapes Our Cities." Accessed October 16, 2021. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLWRclarri0. World Weather. n.d. "Weather archive in Gent." Accessed April 24, 2021. https://world-weather.info/archive/ belgium/gent/.

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Figures Fig. 1: National Geographic Magazine. n.d. "A Five-Step Plan to Feed the World." Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/feeding-9-billion/. Fig. 4 & 5: TEDtalksDirector. 2009. "Carolyn Steel: How Food Shapes Our Cities." Accessed October 16, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLWRclarri0. Fig. 10: Realo, n.d. Accessed March 8, 2021. https://www.realo.be/en/search/for-sale/sint-denijswestrem-9051. Fig. 11: Roland Strategy Consultant. n.d. " Population Ageing in Belgium: Outline and a Balanced Solution." Accessed March 8, 2021. https://www.financialforum.be/sites/financialforum.be/files/media/1442. pdf?nocache=2b9293310576009aa857b94533107bd1. Fig. 12: Statistics Vlaanderen. n.d. "Gent." Accessed March 7, 2021. https://www.citypopulation.de/en/ belgium/oostvlaanderen/gent/44021__gent/.

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Fig. 13. World Health Organization. 2018. "Belgium: Alzheimers & Dementia." Accessed March 9, 2021. https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/belgium-alzheimers-dementia. Fig. 14 & 15: Statistiek Vlaanderen. 2020. "Population by Age and Gender". Accessed March 9, 2021. www. statistiekvlaanderen.be. Fig 16, 17 & 19: Bould, Emma. 2017. "Dementia-Friendly Garden Centre: A Practical Guide To Becoming Dementia-Friendly. Ebook. Reprint, Alzheimer’s Society." Accessed March 5, 2021. https://www.alzheimers. org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-05/AS_Designing_Garden_Guide_Web.pdf. Fig. 18: Alzheimer-Europe.org. 2019. "Alzheimer Europe-Publications-Dementia in Europe Yeabooks." Accessed March 5, 2021. https://alzheimer-europe.org/Publications/Dementia-in-Europe-Yearbooks. Fig. 19: Bould, Emma. 2017. "Dementia-Friendly Garden Centre: A Practical Guide To Becoming DementiaFriendly. Ebook. Reprint, Alzheimer’s Society." Accessed March 5, 2021. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ sites/default/files/2018-05/AS_Designing_Garden_Guide_Web.pdf. Fig 20: Bourguignon, Mélanie, Jean-Paul Sanderson, and Catherine Gourbin. "The Ageing Of Populations In Belgium: Current Situation And Perspectives." Quetelet Journal 5, no. 2 (2018): 69-114. doi:10.14428/ rqj2017.05.02.03. Fig. 22: Familiehulp. n.d. Accessed April 18,2021. https://www.familiehulp.be/. Fig 23: The Spaces. n.d. "France is building a revolutionary new ‘Alzheimer village’." Accessed April 18, 2021. https://thespaces.com/france-is-building-a-revolutionary-new-village-for-alzheimer-sufferers/. Fig. 31: Geopunt. n.d. Accessed 16 February, 2021. https://www.geopunt.be Fig.34: De Andere Ruimte. 2021. "Maaltekasteel en Maaltebruggepark." Accessed February 23, 2021. https://deandereruimte.bmks.be/locatie/76. De Mens en de Natuur. 2014. " Welkom in het Maaltepark : Een oase van rust en schoonheid in Gent." Accessed February 23, 2021. https://catherinetine.blogspot.com/2014/09/welkom-in-hetmaaltepark-een-oase-van.html. Fig. 37, 38 & 39: SOA Architectes. "Pavillion de France." Accessed February 26, 2021. https://soaarchitectes.fr/fr/urbanisme-agricole/article/pavillon-de-france/. Fig. 43 & 44: Architonic. n.d. "A8ernA Koog aan de Zaan, Zaanstad, Netherlands." Accessed May 29, 2021. https://www.architonic.com/en/project/nl-architects-a8erna/5100103. Fig. 48 Yokler. n.d. " The electric cargo bike, expert in eco-friendly last mile delivery ." Accessed 30, 2021. https://www.yokler.com/accueil-fr/en/ecological-last-mile-delivery-logistics-cargo-bike/. Fig. 50, 51 & 52: Light Bulbs Direct, n.d. " Philips and UK scientists create a revolution in Horticulture." Accessed April 18, 2021. https://www.architonic.com/en/project/nl-architects-a8erna/5100103. Fig. 55 & 56: Regen Villages. n.d. Accessed May 30, 2021. " https://www.regenvillages.com/." Effekt. n.d. "Regen Villages." Accessed May 30, 2021. https://www.effekt.dk/regenvillages.

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Fig. 59: Hakky, Danya, Chmielewski, Emily. 2020. "Perkin's Eastman Design Research- Design's Impact on Seniors' Perceptions of Wellness." Accessed May 2, 2021. https://issuu.com/perkinseastman_pgh/docs/ perceptions_of_wellness_2020_perkins_eastman. Fig. 60, 61, 62 & 63: Plataforma Arquitectura. 2014. " Peter Rosegger Nursing Home / Dietger Wissounig Architekten." https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/757445/peter-rosegger-nursing-home-dietgerwissounig-architekten?ad_medium=gallery. Fig. 66: World Weather. n.d. "Weather archive in Gent." Accessed April 24, 2021. https://world-weather.info/ archive/belgium/gent/. Fig. 67: Brittanica. n.d. "Climate of Europe." Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/place/ Europe/Climate. Fig. 77, 78 & 79: ArchDaily. 2015. " Nursing and Retirement Home / Dietger Wissounig Architekten." Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.archdaily.com/775831/nursing-and-retirement-home-dietgerwissounig-architekten. Fig. 84: Plataforma Arquitectura. n.d. "Peter Rosegger Nursing Home / Dietger Wissounig Architekten." Accessed May 4, 2021. https://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/757445/peter-rosegger-nursing-homedietger-wissounig-architekten?ad_medium=galler. Fig. 95: University of Toronto Scarborough. n.d. "ESCB- Environental Science and Chemistry Building." Accessed May 10, 2021. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/projects/escb/. Fig. 97: Emre Arolat Architecture. n.d. "Cesme 7800Residences and Hotel." Accessed May 26, 2021. https://emrearolat.com/project/cesme-7800-residences-and-hotel/. Fig. 98: Arch Daily. n.d. " Compiègne Univeristy of Technology / Ameller, Dubois & Associés." Accessed May 29, 2021. https://www.archdaily.com/486302/compiegne-univeristy-of-technology-ameller-duboisand-associes?ad_medium=gallery.

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