This master thesis takes its starting point from an ongoing project “Den Grønne Rute” a network of recreational rooms that is to be implemented throughout a former vulnerable neighborhood namely Trekanten in Holstebro city. In fact, the project aims at better integrating Trekanten in the city and which initiated reflections upon the relation between the (dis)connection and the integration in relation to urban planning and city management. Also, the extent to which this project considers diversity and especially that Holstebro is a growing multicultural city. With this thesis I explore first if Trekanten is accordingly splintered from Holstebro city, and if planning for diversity by engaging people in the process via place-making approaches can help redress the disconnection between the neighborhood and the city. My research question is: How can place-making “Den Grønne Rute” in Trekanten promote planning for diversity in order to reassemble Holstebro, the splintered city? At a starting point I set my theoretical and conceptual framework which will help analyzing the relationship between the splintering urbanism concept in practice, and the role of involving the community in the process via place-making approaches in for inclusive process. It then presents a field study examining how Trekanten is detached from the city and to what extent can DGR project help overcome the splintering?
In order to answer my research question, I adopted a mix-methods approach that overcomes the weakness of using one method, and I have therefore conducted two semi-structured interviews: one with an urban planner and another with a social planner, I have arranged a focus group with four members of the project team and I have as well conducted a survey (google form) which has helped me get the perspective of the public on the issues regarding the (dis)connection of the neighborhood and the expectation from DGR project. Contrarily to prior assumptions, results have showed that not only Trekanten is splintered from the city, this latter is also disconnected from Trekanten and hence Holstebro is a splintered city. Moreover, results have revealed the Trekanten’s inner-splintering and shed the light on different dimensions of splintering between the city and the neighborhood.
Even though the design of the project Den Grønne Rute seemed to incorporate the diverse ages and groups of people, its process lacks a deep understanding of the relevance of differences and diversity in promoting inclusiveness and cohesion in the city. Knowing that on the one hand, the majority of the answers revealed a socio-cultural and psychological splintering, and on the other hand, place-making as collaborative approach in designing public spaces is itself an expression of diversity as it brings differences into play, I recommend to the project team to reconsider diversity within the process and especially that they seem to plan for people and not with people. Indeed, I suggest to project DGR more than a destination, but essentially an experience to remember and tell the good stories about, especially that the splintering is also rooted in prejudges. Only by bringing people together in re-imagining the place, can Trekanten reassembles with Holstebro and vis versa. Finally, the aim with this thesis, is to add a new perspective to the splintering urbanism as well as planning for diversity and to advance place-making as an approach to promote the latter and redress the former.