The role of housing developers in nature-based solutions and its implications for environmental justice: The case of Rotterdam

Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of housing developers in implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the context of Dutch urban housing developments, with a focus on the city of Rotterdam. While NbS are widely promoted for climate resilience and liveability, research has shown that NbS may also lead to green gentrification and deepen social inequality. While much prior research has examined the outcomes of NbS, this study shifts attention to the motivations and actions of private actors responsible for their implementation, especially housing developers.

Using a qualitative case study approach, the research combines semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including housing developers, architects, landscape designers, and academic experts, with a document review of relevant policy frameworks. The study is grounded in environmental justice theory, examining NbS implementation through the lenses of distributive, recognitional, and procedural justice.

Findings reveal that housing developers are central actors in determining the scope and character of NbS in new housing projects. Their motivations vary widely. Some prioritize NbS as part of a broader sustainability ethos or long-term investment strategy, while others focus more narrowly on short-term financial returns, incorporating green features primarily to meet permit requirements or improve market appeal. Developers often depend on municipal incentives or requirements, and while architects and designers play a role in proposing ecologically beneficial features, their influence is typically limited by client directives and budget constraints.

In terms of environmental justice, the study finds that while developers often recognize the multifunctional benefits of NbS, explicit consideration of how benefits and burdens are distributed among different social groups remains limited. Instances of green gentrification, where greening projects contribute to rising property values and the displacement of low-income residents, are acknowledged by practitioners but are not systematically addressed. Procedural inclusion of marginalized groups in the planning of NbS is also limited, though certain participatory practices are emerging under the new Dutch Omgevingswet (Environmental and Planning Act).

The thesis concludes that while NbS offer promising pathways for urban resilience, their social implications depend heavily on the values, practices, and incentives guiding their implementation. Without stronger regulatory frameworks and greater attention to equity, NbS risk reinforcing socio-spatial inequalities. The study recommends enhancing municipal oversight, embedding environmental justice principles into planning processes, and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure that NbS contribute to both ecological sustainability and social inclusion.