Post-Growth City research by design has started!

On Tuesday 12th of April, The Netherlands already reached “Earth Overshoot Day”. This means our consumption of natural recourses has exceeded what the Earth can regenerate in this year. This clearly shows we must redefine the way we look at economic growth. BURA has started the “Post-Growth City” research project, in collaboration with Crimson Historians & Urbanists and Independent School for the City and with subsidy of the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie.

Post-Growth City focusses on the Netherlands and the Global North, and builds on existing research and articles regarding Post-Growth. We will examine the visible & invisible planning instruments, such as: land policies, tax systems, construction lobby and the interweaving with the financial system. What are the forces that drive our “Growth Cities”? What is good Growth? Lastly, where do we find new inspiring examples of the Post-Growth City? We don’t know the right answers yet, however We do have some critical questions. We take the initiative to start a debate on the fundamentals of our economic paradigm and the way we plan our cities, in order to develop viable alternatives so we can transition towards a truly sustainable and just future. Next months we will set up interviews with experts, organise debates, and write out our research proposal.