In cities today the population turnover is getting higher all the time and cosmopolitanism is in full swing. With the same urban space serving a constant succession of users and programmes, the character of cities is changing fundamentally. The 'guest city' geared to accommodating an ever greater dynamism, figures prominently in this project. Once representing a single ideology, cities now have to be able to accept a welter of identities and a broad and ever-changing population make-up. The notion of an original population is no longer relevant. We are less inclined to be tied down to one city, enacting our lives at multiple locations.

This change in the way cities are lived has repercussions for the city as a physical entity. The urban fabric must be capable of transforming and constantly adapting to each new state of play. Brussels is the perfect example of the guest city phenomenon. Though a guest city, it has yet to function like one. Unaccustomed to the way it is used now, the urban fabric (the 'physical' city) of Brussels is under tremendous pressure. Its structure is still traditional, whereas Brussels ceased resembling a traditional city long ago.

This plan proposes a strategy to transform the urban fabric, on the back of which is a design proposal for a new type of fabric more suited to Brussels in its present role as guest city. This proposal has been worked up into two prototypes containing both the generic features of a guest city and the particular features of Brussels. Both prototypes pay due regard to generic programmatic features so as to exclude as few city users and programmes as possible. I have examined the extent to which different functions can be used collectively. The two prototypes are contextless and able to respond to unexpected situations. Their purpose is to get the transformation of the urban fabric under way.

Leopoldswijk, a district wedged between the tourist heart of Brussels and the EU headquarters, has been taken to illustrate this project. It best typifies the guest city, possessing a grid structure and a programme with no fixed position in the city.

Place of education: Rotterdam Academy of Architecture
Specialization: architecture
Tutors: Xaveer De Geyter, Harm Tilman, Ludo Grooteman, Johan de Koning, Annet Tijhuis