Publications
Leveraging a Street Festival for Lasting Transformation in a UNESCO World Heritage Neighbourhood
Temporary cultural events, such as street festivals, can drive lasting urban revitalization in historic neighborhoods, even when their immediate impacts are often overlooked. A qualitative study of the Kaya Kaya festival in Otrobanda, Curaçaoreveals how such initiatives temporarily repurpose vacant properties and public spaces to foster artistic appeal, economic activity, and community engagement. Through interviews and urban planning theories, researchers demonstrate that these events generate long-term social, economic, and physical benefits, challenging the assumption that their effects are fleeting. The case highlights strategic opportunities for policymakers, developers, and investors to leverage short-term cultural interventions as catalysts for sustainable neighborhood transformation.
Simplifying the Past: Willemstad's Historic and Historicizing Architecture
Willemstad, Curaçao's UNESCO-listed historic area, faces a growing erosion of its multicultural architectural heritage due to modern developments that prioritize Dutch contributions over its diverse past. The study reveals how the city's unique blend of Dutch-gabled townhouses, classicizing villas, and Curaçaoan aesthetics—rooted in its mixed population of Dutch settlers, Iberian Jews, and enslaved Africans—has been selectively preserved, often overshadowing its global influences. By analyzing architectural trends from the 20th and 21st centuries, the research highlights how the townhouse form, once emblematic of this multiculturalism, is increasingly framed as solely Dutch vernacular architecture. The findings challenge the narrative simplification that undermines Willemstad's rich, layered history.
Een eeuwenlange strijd tegen droogte en teloorgang
Curaçao's landscape, primarily a plantation system excluding Willemstad’s inner city, reflects centuries of adaptation to drought and economic decline. This study reveals that plantation owners employed diverse strategies—such as diversified crops, saltpan creation, and urban trade—to mitigate drought and economic pressures. However, by the late 19th century, mineral exploration and 20th-century abandonment due to urban migration (accelerated by industrialization) led to widespread neglect. Uncontrolled urbanization, privatization of public spaces, and the rise of gated residential areas have further transformed this landscape, erasing its historical identity and exacerbating inequality. A potential UNESCO World Heritage nomination could offer new preservation opportunities for this culturally significant but endangered landscape.
Slavernijverleden werpt schaduw vooruit
A potential UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the plantation system of western Curaçao could safeguard its unique but eroding landscape, but success hinges on addressing historical controversies, particularly slavery. The study argues that a nomination should acknowledge the dark aspects of history and shift focus from architecture to cultural landscapes, including diverse modes of production like salt, water, and mining. It also emphasizes the need for broader popular support and systematic research to bridge knowledge gaps. Two strategies are proposed: a new nomination or extending the existing Willemstad site, which could highlight the city's multicultural heritage.
Stedelijk werelderfgoed en de Historic Urban Landscape-benadering in Nederland
A key insight from this study is that the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach offers a practical framework to balance preservation and development in dynamic urban World Heritage Sites, such as Willemstad, Curaçao. The research examines how urban landscapes—characterized by high spatial dynamics and ongoing changes—face challenges in maintaining their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) while adapting to modern demands. By analyzing case studies like Rio de Janeiro and the Amsterdam Canal Ring, the study highlights the potential of HUL to reconcile conservation with sustainable development, advocating for its stronger integration into UNESCO’s management strategies. The approach emphasizes ICOMOS’s role in guiding adaptive preservation, ensuring that urban heritage remains both culturally significant and responsive to contemporary needs.
A case study of the creative zone Scharloo and Pietermaai in Curaçao
A case study of the Scharloo and Pietermaai area in Curaçao's UNESCO-listed historic center reveals its potential to become a thriving creative zone, particularly for enhancing Curaçao's tourism product. The research identifies key factors that could drive this transformation, including the presence of cultural heritage attractions that already draw tour operators and visitors. However, it highlights the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders—especially creative industries—to establish leadership, networking, and forums to sustain growth. Government support is crucial in creating favorable conditions, such as improved infrastructure. The study also emphasizes the importance of mutual assessment and sustained collaboration to ensure long-term success. This work contributes to a framework for analyzing and improving the creative economy of Caribbean Small Island Developing States.
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