PhD Position ‘The Sustainable Turn in Urbanism' – research-by-design track

The PhD is part of the research project ‘The Sustainable Turn in Urbanism. Past and Future Interactions between Ecology, Urban Design and Participation in Brussels’. In the Brussels Capital Region, pressing urgencies such as housing seem to come at the detriment of nature and biodiversity, and vice versa. This leads to ongoing discussions between governmental agencies, action committees, designers/planners and other societal actors. Focusing on tensions between social and ecological goals, as well as between governmental institutions and action committees, this research studies the history of participation and urbanism, while instrumentalizing design in contemporary discussions on Brussels. Thus, it brings together history and design in an innovative framework. 

‘The Sustainable Turn in Urbanism’ consists of two parallel PhD tracks that are expected to closely collaborate. A first PhD researcher will examine the genealogy of socio-ecological interaction in Brussels since the 1960s, by interrogating the legacy of the various historical actors that are still active in Brussels today. It will be supervised by prof. Bruno Notteboom, dr. Koenraad Danneels and prof. Sven Sterken. The second PhD researcher will deploy research-by-design methods in dealing with the tensions between built and open space, and social and ecological challenges, under the supervision of prof. Martion Tattara, prof. Bruno Notteboom and prof. Sven Sterken. Both research tracks are part of a joint research framework in interaction with societal stakeholders (action committees and governmental institutions) in round table sessions, and design and research labs. Apart from academic publications and two PhD thesis, the outcome of the project includes an exhibition and a conference.

This particular vacancy concerns the research by design track (for the historical research track, see vacancy number BAP-2022-444). The research involves both analytical and projective activities culminating in the development of a pilot project dealing with contemporary socio-ecological questions in Brussels, bringing together different stakeholders. To achieve such goals, this track comprises several research actions, such as the development of interpretative mapping, the study of selected projects (and counterprojects), the organization of design workshops and the participation in design teaching activities.