The Randstad urban landscape has been constructed under a unique national planning regime. The complete new cities built in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s together with the large extension plans of the last two decades resulted in an amalgam of overlapping urban areas. This result is the playing field for a new attitude towards architecture and planning. No longer will large-scale urban projects dominate the agenda. Small-scale interventions will be the key to step by step improve the quality of the urban landscape of the South wing and the quality of life.

The summer 2012 thirty young designers from all over the world have investigated the possibilities for such sustainable living environments during the 8th International Summer School of the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture and Urban Design, in cooperation with the South Wing, the Research Centre RDM Sustainable Solutions and Atelier Stad.