Joint PhD labs
Joint PhD labs
Research programmes
The principal societal concern addressed by the Graduate School is ‘quality of life in buildings, cities and regions’, covering issues such as aesthetics, cultural identity, energy efficiency, land-use efficiency, and value creation. It affects the daily lives of individuals and the social, economic and territorial cohesion of communities.
Architecture
Architecture focuses explicitly on two primary research directions. First, architecture as métier, or ‘craft’ in the broadest sense of the word; a field in which making and thinking are inextricably linked. This programme regards the ‘architectural project’ as the cornerstone of architectural practice and reflection. It holds that the architectural project forms the junction where a complex combination of cultural, social, functional, economical and ecological factors is articulated as a concrete spatial proposal. This articulation requires a specific expertise that characterises the discipline of architecture. Secondly, Architecture Theory in its traditional sense, as it addresses socio-cultural transformation with respect to relevant philosophical, theoretical, scientific and technological disciplines (transdisciplinary practices). This calls for a critical analysis of both politically and poetically driven processes and forces which both underpin and often determine the structure of our thinking on the very nature of space, image and form.
Berlage
The rapidly changing field of spatial practice makes it clear that architecture is no longer produced within a closed body of knowledge. This is why the Berlage Institute explores the forces that shape the contemporary built environment; this enables it to develop alternative models through design, and acquire knowledge through which to have a transformative impact on the built environment.
Design & History
Whether planned or evolved, whether the result of a single planning perspective or the accumulated effect of a series of interventions over time, the human habitat has been made by man. In most parts of the world, planning implies transformation, and not only in cities. Transformation processes usually oscillate between two poles: replacing existing phenomena, or adapting them to new needs. Only in special cases is the conservation of buildings or even urban ensembles considered to be a sensible or culturally valid approach.
Computation & Performance
Developments in architecture and building design are driven by attempts to achieve step changes in performance; the most important way to achieve this is to use innovative computational tools, techniques and methods in the design, manufacturing and construction processes. Considering performance as a driver in the building design and planning process is essential if the objective is to achieve buildings that perform, function and operate better, consume fewer resources in construction and operation, and offer its occupants a healthier and more comfortable environment, while still being economically viable.
GIS Technology
GIS Technology focuses on providing and/or developing the technology, including the knowledge behind it, needed for the realization of a Spatial Information Infrastructure (SII). The increased use of geographic information systems introduced new questions also in the field of Geosciences. Complex problems arise as far as geographic data files, quality description of geographic data and the visualisation and query of geographic data are concerned. In fact GIS technology forms a bridge between processing techniques of spatial data and the use of geo-information.
Governance of Geoinformation and Land Development
Governance of Geoinformation and Land Development undertakes research in the administrative, legal and organizational aspects of geoinformation, real estate law, and the instruments that are (or may be) used in the spatial development of both urban and rural areas.
Green Building Innovation
The mission of the Green Building Innovation (GBI) is to expand the realm of what is possible in architectural and urban terms, and to help guide the construction sector to a more sustainable future. GBI aims to be an excellent research group in the area of sustainable technology for the built environment, and to build a worldwide reputation for its science-based green innovation at various scale levels. The GBI group should be considered the foremost partner for research involving sustainability and innovation for the building industry and for research funding institutes.
Housing Quality
The mission of the new Housing Quality (HQ) research programme is to study how to improve the physical quality of houses from four perspectives: technical knowledge on the health and sustainability of dwellings; innovation of building and maintenance processes; management of housing providers; and policy instruments and enforcement procedures aimed at improving housing quality.
Housing Systems
Housing Systems focuses on developments in the housing market, the functioning of housing systems and the interaction between housing systems and their surroundings. The key question is how housing systems can be characterized, how they change and if they yield durable and socially desirable outcomes. Guiding are the objectives of housing policy: affordability, availability, accessibility and quality of life. This concerns both the way in which housing developments affect other social processes, as well as the impact of these developments on the functioning of the housing system.
Innovations in the Management of the Built Environment
In order to attain a built environment that performs well in terms of spatial, functional and technical quality, cost effectiveness and sustainability, it is necessary to incorporate the interests, requirements and constraints of the various stakeholders in all phases of the lifecycle (from initiation to use) and at different levels of scale (buildings, real estate portfolios and urban areas). To this end, the Innovations in Management of the Built Environment research group (IMBE) combines knowledge from public administration, strategic management, economics, law, mathematics, sociology and psychology with insights from the field of design and engineering, mainly architecture, urbanism, and building technology.
Neighbourhood Change and Housing
Neighbourhood Change and Housing concerns the ways in which residential districts are ordered, organized and lived in as everyday realities in a changing urban world. We study how changes on various scales impact on neighbourhoods. We also investigate everyday life changes in neighbourhoods, and how such changes affect the social structure and cohesion of urban neighbourhoods. We develop this approach to the neighbourhood as a research subject and research site along three thematic or analytical pathways: neighbourhood stratification; neighbourhoods as changing social sites (where we study the ties between neighbourhood residents and what the neighbourhood means to them); and neighbourhoods as sites of governance and civic action. Throughout, the emphasis is on research at the interface of science, policy and practice.
Urban and Regional Development
Urban and Regional Development deals with the interrelationships between the ever growing complexity of urban systems and the extent to which the development of these systems can be influenced through policies, planning, visions and governance.
Urbanism
Urbanism’s core task is to mobilise its multidisciplinary knowledge, skills and reputation to create more sustainable living environments. The priority is to contribute solutions to the urgent challenges of urbanisation in the context of climate change. We must achieve excellence in research, international recognition for the quality and value of our scientific work, and raise the standing of urbanism as an academic research discipline in science and society.
The principal societal concern addressed by the Graduate School is ‘quality of life in buildings, cities and regions’, covering issues such as aesthetics, cultural identity, energy efficiency, land-use efficiency, and value creation. It affects the daily lives of individuals and the social, economic and territorial cohesion of communities.
Architecture
Architecture focuses explicitly on two primary research directions. First, architecture as métier, or ‘craft’ in the broadest sense of the word; a field in which making and thinking are inextricably linked. This programme regards the ‘architectural project’ as the cornerstone of architectural practice and reflection. It holds that the architectural project forms the junction where a complex combination of cultural, social, functional, economical and ecological factors is articulated as a concrete spatial proposal. This articulation requires a specific expertise that characterises the discipline of architecture. Secondly, Architecture Theory in its traditional sense, as it addresses socio-cultural transformation with respect to relevant philosophical, theoretical, scientific and technological disciplines (transdisciplinary practices). This calls for a critical analysis of both politically and poetically driven processes and forces which both underpin and often determine the structure of our thinking on the very nature of space, image and form.
Berlage
The rapidly changing field of spatial practice makes it clear that architecture is no longer produced within a closed body of knowledge. This is why the Berlage Institute explores the forces that shape the contemporary built environment; this enables it to develop alternative models through design, and acquire knowledge through which to have a transformative impact on the built environment.
Design & History
Whether planned or evolved, whether the result of a single planning perspective or the accumulated effect of a series of interventions over time, the human habitat has been made by man. In most parts of the world, planning implies transformation, and not only in cities. Transformation processes usually oscillate between two poles: replacing existing phenomena, or adapting them to new needs. Only in special cases is the conservation of buildings or even urban ensembles considered to be a sensible or culturally valid approach.
Computation & performance
Developments in architecture and building design are driven by attempts to achieve step changes in performance; the most important way to achieve this is to use innovative computational tools, techniques and methods in the design, manufacturing and construction processes. Considering performance as a driver in the building design and planning process is essential if the objective is to achieve buildings that perform, function and operate better, consume fewer resources in construction and operation, and offer its occupants a healthier and more comfortable environment, while still being economically viable.
GIS Technology
GIS Technology focuses on providing and/or developing the technology, including the knowledge behind it, needed for the realization of a Spatial Information Infrastructure (SII). The increased use of geographic information systems introduced new questions also in the field of Geosciences. Complex problems arise as far as geographic data files, quality description of geographic data and the visualisation and query of geographic data are concerned. In fact GIS technology forms a bridge between processing techniques of spatial data and the use of geo-information.
Governance of Geoinformation and Land Development
Governance of Geoinformation and Land Development undertakes research in the administrative, legal and organizational aspects of geoinformation, real estate law, and the instruments that are (or may be) used in the spatial development of both urban and rural areas.
Green Building Innovation
The mission of the Green Building Innovation (GBI) is to expand the realm of what is possible in architectural and urban terms, and to help guide the construction sector to a more sustainable future. GBI aims to be an excellent research group in the area of sustainable technology for the built environment, and to build a worldwide reputation for its science-based green innovation at various scale levels. The GBI group should be considered the foremost partner for research involving sustainability and innovation for the building industry and for research funding institutes.
Housing Quality
The mission of the new Housing Quality (HQ) research programme is to study how to improve the physical quality of houses from four perspectives: technical knowledge on the health and sustainability of dwellings; innovation of building and maintenance processes; management of housing providers; and policy instruments and enforcement procedures aimed at improving housing quality.
Housing Systems
Housing Systems focuses on developments in the housing market, the functioning of housing systems and the interaction between housing systems and their surroundings. The key question is how housing systems can be characterized, how they change and if they yield durable and socially desirable outcomes. Guiding are the objectives of housing policy: affordability, availability, accessibility and quality of life. This concerns both the way in which housing developments affect other social processes, as well as the impact of these developments on the functioning of the housing system.
Innovations in the Management of the Built Environment
In order to attain a built environment that performs well in terms of spatial, functional and technical quality, cost effectiveness and sustainability, it is necessary to incorporate the interests, requirements and constraints of the various stakeholders in all phases of the lifecycle (from initiation to use) and at different levels of scale (buildings, real estate portfolios and urban areas). To this end, the Innovations in Management of the Built Environment research group (IMBE) combines knowledge from public administration, strategic management, economics, law, mathematics, sociology and psychology with insights from the field of design and engineering, mainly architecture, urbanism, and building technology.
Neighbourhood Change and Housing
Neighbourhood Change and Housing concerns the ways in which residential districts are ordered, organized and lived in as everyday realities in a changing urban world. We study how changes on various scales impact on neighbourhoods. We also investigate everyday life changes in neighbourhoods, and how such changes affect the social structure and cohesion of urban neighbourhoods. We develop this approach to the neighbourhood as a research subject and research site along three thematic or analytical pathways: neighbourhood stratification; neighbourhoods as changing social sites (where we study the ties between neighbourhood residents and what the neighbourhood means to them); and neighbourhoods as sites of governance and civic action. Throughout, the emphasis is on research at the interface of science, policy and practice.
Urban and Regional Development
Urban and Regional Development deals with the interrelationships between the ever growing complexity of urban systems and the extent to which the development of these systems can be influenced through policies, planning, visions and governance.
Urbanism
Urbanism’s core task is to mobilise its multidisciplinary knowledge, skills and reputation to create more sustainable living environments. The priority is to contribute solutions to the urgent challenges of urbanisation in the context of climate change. We must achieve excellence in research, international recognition for the quality and value of our scientific work, and raise the standing of urbanism as an academic research discipline in science and society.
