How do young people imagine and experience everyday urban spaces — and how can their perspectives shape more inclusive, climate-resilient cities?

As part of its ongoing research on youth-led placemaking and public participation, CCLab conducted the first of a two-part workshop series at Broekland College in Hoensbroek. Focusing on Gebrookerplein, the session brought together 18 high school students to explore their urban surroundings through walking, observation, and creative design — using art-based methods and mapping techniques.

The workshop unfolded in three stages:
🔸 Walking/Talking – Four groups explored the neighbourhood and shared their observations through informal conversations.
🔸 Imagining – Students transformed their ideas into spatial proposals using maps, drawings, collages, and storytelling.
🔸 Reflection – The session ended with group discussions, where students presented scenarios for more inclusive, green, and livable futures.

Their visions responded to themes like nature, gathering, and movement — all through the lens of liveability and climate resilience. These outcomes will form the basis of the second workshop in September 2025, where we’ll take their ideas one step further using Augmented Reality (AR) and interactive digital tools.

Workshops coordinated by Ceren Sezer, Aslı Alanlı, Liyuan Ma, and Alper Al and this hands-on experience encourages students to see the city not only as it is, but as it could be — a timely exercise in imagining social and ecological transformation in the face of climate challenges.

Special thanks to Erik Molnar and Kirsten Dolmans from Broekland College for their incredible support — and to Rector Tim Vleugels for enabling this collaboration. Most importantly, a big thank you to the participating students — we look forward to continuing this creative journey together.