5 questions for: Mellanie Righard – Young NVTL
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5 questions for: is a section on NVTL.nl and in newsletter Het Kanaal. We offer members a chance to speak. Members who have been in membership for years, new members, student members and bureau members. Would you like to participate or nominate someone? You are welcome to do so, because we are always looking for new inspiring stories! Send us an email.
1 – Who are you and what do you do?
Hello! My name is Mellanie and I have been working as a landscape designer at urban planning agency UUM| Unlimited Urban Management for a year and a half now. I used to spend all my time outdoors and was always doing something creative. So when I discovered that I could combine my passions for geography and drawing as a landscape designer, a whole new world opened up for me. That’s how I ended up at HAS University of Applied Sciences, where I studied Environmental Management with a specialisation in Landscape Design. During my studies, I further specialised in climate change in cities and took a minor in Climate-Proof Cities at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
My graduation project was about making the Buulder Aa stream valley, located near Cranendonck (Brabant), climate-proof. I was supervised by Joeri de Bekker, chair of the board of NVTL, among others. It was something completely different, but also very interesting to explore the areas of tension. What does climate change mean for rural areas and can we see it as an opportunity? I am currently working on various social health and climate projects at UUM. What I like so much about UUM is that we engage in dialogue with people from the area and, together with them, make a difference and have a social impact in public spaces.
2 – What is your favourite place or landscape in the Netherlands?
I grew up in Nijmegen, but now live in Haarlem. They are two completely different landscapes. In Nijmegen, different types of landscapes come together: the floodplains of the Waal, Ooijpolder and the forests of the Haterse Vennen. I always used to go horse riding there. What I like so much about Haarlem is that the beaches are within cycling distance and I can enjoy a fresh breeze there. But Nijmegen will always be home, and that’s where my love for outdoor activities first started.
3 – Can you tell us more about a special project you have been working on?
We are currently working on the “Fair Heat in the City” project. Our first solution to heat stress is greening. This is a generic measure that works well, but does everyone benefit from it? With this research, we show that heat-stress does not affect everyone equally. In Hilversum, Haarlem and Dordrecht, it appears that the elderly, children and residents with low incomes are particularly vulnerable: they are more likely to live in paved neighbourhoods with little shade and have fewer resources to keep cool. Using maps, route analyses and heat dialogues, we identified where the inequality is greatest.
Together with residents and partners, we developed interventions with both physical (more greenery, shade, cool places) and social solutions (heat coaches, neighbourhood support). In this way, we contribute to a fair city, where protection against heat is not a matter of luck or income, but is accessible to everyone.
4 – What was the most successful activity you experienced at Young NVTL, and why?
Last year’s Pub Quiz was a real success! It was great fun competing against fellow landscape designers. I wasn’t a member of YoungNVTL at the time, but I really enjoyed participating with my colleagues Ramona, Tijs and former fellow student Lianne as Team Stedelijke Indringers (Urban Intruders). We had a great time, but unfortunately we didn’t win. Next year, we’ll be back to claim the prize! I’ve been with Young NVTL for a while now and am organising the winter workshop together with Aniek, Roberto, Janna and Stijn.
5 – You will soon be taking over the reins from Stijn as chair of Young NVTL. What do you find interesting and important for Young NVTL?
I consider it a great honour to follow up Stijn as chair. What I would like to focus on over the next three years is empowering young designers at the offices where they work; there are still too many indications that they are seen as secondary figures, merely draftsmen, rather than serious discussion partners. There should be more attention for the stories, ideas and solutions of our generation, because we know that things have to change. It is time that we are seen as part of the solution, since we, as young landscape designers and architects, will be involved with the future for a longer period of time.
