about
I am a Rotterdam-based urban designer with strong interests in radical, post-growth ideas, especially the links between social and ecological aspects of the environment. In my free time I am dreaming and reading about post-capitalist scenarios, however in my work I am looking for rational, grounded spatial conditions, looking towards a long, sustainable future. On this website you can read about my values, approach and the areas of expertise I am developing.
values
Looking at the challenges we face today—climate change, biodiversity loss, rise of inequalities, the energy transition—it is important for me to clearly understand and define the values behind actions. Our fast running world is full of fake news and greenwashing, narrow-minded approaches. I am theoretically grounded in a strong sustainability approach and the degrowth movement. Below you can see the four main topics I am passionate about:
ECOCENTRIC
My values are nature-centric and informed by an awareness of planetary boundaries. These values translate into actions for urban environments that focus on limiting material use, stimulating reuse, and also readaptation, non-demolition approaches. An ecocentric approach also includes topics such as bio-materials and design towards a circular economy.
REGENERATIVE
Thinking about adaptive and changeable processes of urban developments, interventions should always reflect not only current problems but also improve the quality in the long-term. A regenerative approach includes creating flexible and adaptive solutions that allow natural and social structures to renew and recover from damage.
LOCAL
Against forces of globalisation the local environment is and always will be a valuable source. From soil to ecosystem, culture and economy, history and heritage, space represents itself differently in different places. Bioregionalism’s emphasis is on knowing and caring for natural and human communities, each within its local 'territory of life’.
FEMINIST
Feminism, especially intersectional feminism, is a set of values aiming to end gender hierarchies, and to tackle the enmeshment of these hierarchies with other axes of oppression like race, religion and class. It is a strong compass towards more inclusive urbanism, focusing the design of the urban environment on caregivers, communities and vulnerable groups.
in action
I personally perceive global and local challenges together with the principles listed above as an opportunity, a stimulating framework for creative adaptations. Together, they also define methods I prefer to use in my practice. These methods apply to a variety of urban assignments on different scales and different topics. My main practice modes are:
FACILITATION
Including marginalized groups and balancing power dynamics is difficult within the complex system of urban environments. Facilitation as a method provides the platform, the base for open and successful cooperation, sharing and building the project, commoning it together.
SCENARIOS
Scenarios are key to explore strategic plans as well as possible narratives for an uncertain future. They are also an important communication-visualisation tool showing possible extremes in design.
RESEARCH BY DESIGN
In order to visualise abstract terminology, big words and complicated scenarios, test design is the best visualization tool. Working on discovering new possibilities for the future—researching them—puts emphasis on design as a research tool.
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Openness and curiosity about the qualities of space and personal experience bring rich insights into the design. Even the conflict of interest or opinion are valuable sources of learning. Listening and sharing my own expertise is a key to every cooperation.
contact
Do these topics resonate with you? If you would like to get in touch or work together send me a message!
anna.d.kozera@gmail.com
In my spare time, I also facilitate events with other organisers from Urbanistas Rotterdam (workshops, excursions and currently also a book club) that give a platform for female empowerment and exchange of ideas.
urbanistas.rotterdam@gmail.com
