In 'Closing the Circle’, new design guidelines are developed for closed-loop farming systems. It is a project in which Arman Akdogan and Felix Madrazo – founders of IND [Inter.National.Design] – team up with Turkish and Dutch researchers, innovative farmers, designers and energy advisors.

In the start-up phase, the team developed a sustainable and innovative design for a cattle shed in Palanga, an art and agriculture experiment in Erzincan. This pioneering project in Turkey shows how farmers can combine optimal conditions for animal welfare and the environment, and how design can contribute to this. The design takes into account the climate conditions, the cattle bedding, the production of compost and the processing of waste into biogas. In addition to Palanga, the team is also working with a new generation of farmers such as Ahmet Kocabıyık to explore the relationship between cattle breeding, modern art and tourism, and with Kıvanç Başak, focusing on the combination of cattle breeding with olive trees. Involved experts are: Kees van Reenen (Wageningen University), Peter Mensinga (ARUP Amsterdam), Özgür Şahin (Çanakkale) and Baris Samir (BGS Energy Consulting).

In the follow-up phase, the team will organise three interdisciplinary case studies at these farms and a field visit to similar initiatives in the Netherlands. In addition, prototypes for a future holistic farm are being designed in collaboration with Istinye University and MEF University, DesignLAB. The team will present the results in the form of guidelines contained in a digital report, and at an international symposium in Istanbul. The symposium focuses on the relationship between rural food production and urban food consumption (From Farm to Fork). The programme includes innovative chefs from Istanbul and Rotterdam, among others. The Turkish website Arkitera is the communication partner for the symposium.

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Toroslar City Lab is a project devoted to researching, questioning and designing new forms of city making in Mersin, Turkey. The goal is to create an opportunity for informal knowledge exchange between different parties - residents, entrepreneurs, scholars and government - regarding the city’s current qualities and its future. The transformation of the area along the Muftu river serves as a case study. The area is characterised by, among other things, the establishment of migrant groups and the ways they use the area. The Toroslar City Lab consists of a tailor-made game method that enables new forms of cooperation and decision-making.

In the follow-up phase, the team will organise three interactive game sessions supplemented with pilot workshops on the following themes: 1) Mobility and Water, 2) Urban Agriculture and Food, 3) Local Economy and Urban Transformation. In addition, the Lab focuses on investigating circular systems to provide an alternative to the short-term vision on urban development that is currently common in Mersin and other Turkish cities. The long-term vision with proposals for specific interventions will be compiled into a manifesto. This manifesto will be shared with Toroslar Lab’s networks in Turkey and will be launched during the We Make City festival in Amsterdam. Toroslar City Lab is a collaborative project involving Play the City, Mersin University, Mediamatic and various experts.

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In the project/designing research 'Lüleburgaz Bisiklete Biniyor', Sustainable Solutions (NL), Artgineering (BE) and Novusens (TR) are developing an integral bicycle master plan for the city of Lüleburgaz. This plan sees cycling as a catalyst for bottom-up transitions towards a more sustainable, inclusive and democratic urban society. The project starts from a holistic approach consisting of three elements: hardware, software and orgware. Instead of immediately investing in the physical infrastructure, the municipality first put a lot of effort into creating a positive view of cycling among residents (e.g. with '2017 Bicycle Year') and into setting up an international, external organisational structure. The plan aims to serve as an example for some 200 other medium-sized cities in Turkey.

In the follow-up phase, the team will conduct in-depth research and, together with the municipality, convert the results into a guide for bicycle-friendly, inclusive and urban development. Two workshops with informal dinners for stakeholders will be organised. Also, between these workshops, the stakeholders will be taken on a working visit to both Lüleburgaz and the Netherlands. To involve the residents, the team is working with the local 'Bicycle Academy', cycling associations, 'role model' cyclists and (creative) entrepreneurs. In addition, the local Art & Design Academy will design postcards and images for social media.

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In the post-socialist city of Samara, the historical centre is being demolished. Consisting of historical heritage, the 'Wooden City' and within it the Samarsky courtyard, this centre has much value for the identity of the city. Only a small, select group of citizens is actively against the destruction of the historical buildings and values. In this project, the team investigates how to bridge the gap between the campaign groups, citizens, developers and authorities. The Dutch team consists of Schiemann Weyers Architects, Irma Gross, Arjan Hebly and Helmut Thole. The Russian professionals are Tatiana Gudz, Alexandr Gnilomedov, Vitaly Stadnikov and researchers Sergei Malakhov and Evgenia Repina of Samara State University.

In the follow-up phase, the team will conduct further research and develop a digital atlas with graphic designer Joost Grootens. All the collected information will be presented to the various stakeholders in this atlas, in a neutral and accessible way. The atlas will consist of maps, diagrams, drawings and photographs, supplemented with texts. The team will furthermore organise stakeholder meetings to discuss the collected material, and will conclude with a discussion forum to develop a new shared vision for the area. The result is a collective housing model aimed at sustainability, citizen participation and diversity in the buildings.

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SVESMI (NL) is working with the Municipal Association of Libraries (MAL), the culture department of the municipality of Yekaterinburg and The July 16 Agency to develop a new type of social centre in the city of Yekaterinburg, Russia. The project builds on the physical structure of municipal libraries from the socialist welfare system, which continue to have a strong social role and reputation. The team states that this network of libraries is in need of renewal in order to better connect with contemporary society.

In the follow-up phase of the project, SVESMI will transform one of these libraries into a prototype in which design, new technology and cultural programming are used to create a new public space. Parallel to developing a spatial design, a cultural programme will take place in which speakers from Dutch libraries (Royal Library The Hague, Central Library Utrecht and Central Library Alkmaar) and Russian cultural centres (Yeltsin centre, Museum of History of Ekaterinburg and Strelka Institute) will engage each other in discussion and share experiences. The team will combine all findings of the project in a manual for transformation. The results will be presented at a Dutch-Russian symposium about the pilot. Besides the cultural programming and building a new book collection, the goal is also to realise the spatial interventions. The municipality of Yekaterinburg is participating as the financing and implementing partner in this project.

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