Re-thinking Steelscapes
A cross systematic Urban Design approach towards a Sustainable Circular Society for the Metropolitan Region of Linz.
*Nominee for Archiprix 2025
Academic Supervisors
Birgit Hausleitner
Arjan van Timmeren
Location
Metropolitan Region Linz | Austria
Institution
Section Urban Design
Section Environmental Design and Technology
Department of Urbanism | TU Delft
Abstract
Research question
How can transformations in the steel industry of Linz act as a catalyst
for the spatial and programmatic organisation of urban and peri-
urban settlements and industrial districts, fostering the integration of
industrial innovation and societal shifts towards a Circular Society?
Research Design
If you are more interested in the research part, I recommend you to have a closer look at the full report to investigate the research approach and the theories used as a base for this thesis. If you are interested in the explorative design scenarios, keep scrolling :-) You can find the full report here:
Scenarios
The project explores two potential future scenarios to guide the strategic development of Linz and the Greater Linz Area. Grounded on theories and the conceptual framework informed by current regional challenges and a comprehensive spatial analysis, the scenarios take an explorative design approach. One envisions a path driven by economic growth and industrial intensification, while the other embraces principles of degrowth, prioritizing ecological balance and social resilience. Together, they serve as speculative tools to imagine and evaluate contrasting futures for the region.Resilient Roots is about healing land, empowering people, and growing circular practices that emerge from bottom-up, community-driven initiatives and public investment. This pathway strengthens common values but limits individual lifestyles.
Hyperlinked Horizons is about upscaling, abundance through resource efficiency, and growing circular practices that emerge from top-down, private investment-driven developments. It enables individual lifestyles but weakens common values.