Nora Anders joined the Utrecht team as a Graduate Urban Planner in March. Prior to joining us, Nora studied Urbanism at TU Delft and Architecture in Hannover Germany (Leibniz Universität) with a particular interest in strategic planning and urban design.
Since joining Troy Planning + Design Nora has been preparing community engagement workshops, undertaking site and area analyses, preparing neighbourhood plan policies and local heritage lists.
We asked Nora more about her background and interests:
Where are you from originally, and how do you think your background and experiences shape your approach to urban planning?
I’m originally from Hannover, Germany. I have lived there throughout my childhood and during my bachelor studies of architecture at the Leibniz University Hannover. After the pandemic, I was ready to get out into the world and decided to pursue a master’s degree abroad. I attended the TU Delft in the Netherlands, where I earned a Master of Science degree in Urbanism. Nowadays I live in the Hague.
I think having studied both architecture and urbanism has given me a great understanding of design and planning on all the different scales. Thus, I approach urban planning in a way, where I appreciate the smallest details on the street level as well as visions and concepts that cover a whole region. I enjoy building connections between these two extremes and incorporating them in a comprehensive design or plan.
What inspired you to pursue a career in urban planning and design, and what aspects of the field are you most passionate about?
I have always been fascinated by cities, their history, the way that they function, and the interplay of all the factors that form the space we live in. When I pursued my bachelor’s degree in architecture, I wanted to learn how space is created and how it influences our actions and behaviour. I quickly realised that my interest focused on the design and planning of urban spaces and how they take into consideration political, social, and environmental perspectives.
That’s why I was so drawn to further explore urban planning and design in the next stage of my education. Within urbanism, I am most passionate about planning just and sustainable spaces that are accessible for all. With my work, I want to make a positive contribution to people’s lives and create places that I would enjoy experiencing and living in.
How do you enjoy living in The Hague, and what activities do you typically get up to in your spare time?
I really enjoy living in The Hague. The city has so many different aspects to it and there is always something new to explore. However, it still feels cosy and familiar. I love just taking strolls in my neighbourhood, popping into one of the many Kringloops, reading a good book in the park, or taking a dip in the North Sea at Scheveningen Beach. I also love how well-connected The Hague is to the surrounding cities. Within 20 minutes to an hour, I can be in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Delft or Rotterdam.
