My research predominantly focuses on sustainable urban design and the saliency of constructing cultural spaces on the basis of their ecosystemic properties.

More information about Marlene Zijlstra

Fields of interest

Urban Design, Public Spaces, Cultural Diplomacy, Sound Diplomacy, Urban Policy and Development, Tactical Urbanism

Research

Graduated with distinction from the University of the West of Scotland in 2019 with an MA in Cultural Diplomacy and International Events. I completed this MA with a thesis focused on the construction of public spaces through culture. My research presented a critical discussion on the concept of the ‘Creative City’ and the validation of cultural spaces through this urban form. The study grounded itself in the practices of New Urbanism to propose an alternative construction of public spaces and highlighted the increased potential of spaces of culture that are validated through objective urban structures, such as the ‘Compact City’ model, as a means to be more sustainable and construct an integrated/inclusionary urban narrative.

Grants and awards

Court Medal of Academic Excellence (University of the West of Scotland)

Curriculum Vitae

• BA in International Studies (Leiden University)
• MA in Cultural Diplomacy and International Events (University of the West of Scotland)