Academic writings
My written works are a reflection of my passion for exploring the social and political dimensions of design and planning in all their diverse forms. Throughout my academic journey, my research interests have evolved from a primary focus on questions of (informal) housing, to a deeper exploration of spatial justice, intersectionality in design, and participatory planning. More recently, I have delved into questions concerning healthy post-pandemic cities from various perspectives.
I am committed to advancing knowledge production through designerly approaches, and I am currently working with the WHO’s Techné helpdesk to investigate the design and local integration of emergency treatment centers, with a particular focus on the Majority World.
I have authored several publications on these topics, and I invite you to explore a selection below. The full list is at the bottom of this page.
In my blog posts, on the other hand, I wish to address four key aspects of my work in a more open manner. Firstly, I will examine questions of spatial justice, the just city, and critical urban theory. Secondly, I will explore issues of intersectionality and decolonialism in design. Thirdly, I will discuss the role of feminism and women in planning and design. Lastly, I will share my experiences, practices, and approaches to education in this field.
Newton, C. (2025). Envisioning Spatial Justice. Explorations, Reflections and Design Approaches. JapSam Books.
What does it mean to design with justice in mind? How can planning become an act of resistance? In Envisioning Spatial Justice, I offer a critical and pedagogical exploration of these questions, blending feminist, postcolonial, and radical urban theory with insights from studio teaching and real-world engagements.
Structured around theory, reflections, and student design work, the book brings theory into practice and insists on imagination as a political tool. It challenges neoliberal paradigms and calls on spatial practitioners to develop new ethical foundations for their work.
Rocco, R., Bracken, G., Newton, C. , & Dabrowski, M. M. (Eds.) (2022). Teaching, Learning & Researching Spatial Planning. TU Delft Open.
“Teaching, Learning & Researching Spatial Planning,” with over 1800 readers to date, is a rich compendium featuring TU Delft’s unique approach to Spatial Planning, blending design with Dutch traditions, and addressing contemporary societal challenges.
Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. (2022). Freshwater blue space design and human health: A comprehensive research mapping based on scientometric analysis. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 97, 106859.
This research systematically explores the link between freshwater blue spaces, health, and urban design, emphasising the growing interdisciplinary interest and need for adaptive design integrating health evidence.
Newton, C., & Rocco, R. (2022). Actually Existing Commons: Using the Commons to Reclaim the City. Social Inclusion, 10(1), 91-102.
In the slum of Paraisópolis, São Paulo, community reliance and self-organization played a significant role in the fight against Covid-19. While their initial response was impressive, the community’s limitations became apparent later. This article proposes a nuanced view of the commons, recognising their embeddedness in everyday life.
Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. (2023). Uncovering the Visibility of Blue Spaces: Design-oriented Methods for Analysing Water Elements and Maximizing Their Potential. Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, 8(2023), 628–638.
This study explores digital visibility analysis methods for blue spaces, focusing on their potential in advancing spatial design practice, and discusses integrating them into iterative design processes.
Park, S. Y., Newton, C., & Lee, R. (2023). How to Alleviate Feelings of Crowding in a Working from Home Environment: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1025
This study examines how home workspace features and psychological factors affect telecommuters’ feelings of crowding and how these feelings impact satisfaction, well-being, and productivity during remote work.
Full list of publications
Articles in (internationally) peer-reviewed academic journals
22) Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., Newton, C., & Shan, L. (2025). Running in Rotterdam’s blue spaces: Age group preferences and the impact of visual perceptions. Cities, 162, 105917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.105917
21) Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., Newton, C. & Toa, Y (2024). Healthy Urban Blue Space Design: Exploring the Associations of Blue Space Quality with Recreational Running and Cycling Using Crowdsourced Data. Sustainable Cities and Society, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2024.105929
20) Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. (2024).健康蓝色空间设计: 将接触感知蓝色空间的健康效益转化为设计实践的方法论框架 (Translated title: Healthy Blue Space Design: A Methodological Framework for Translating the Health Benefits of Blue Space Exposure and Perception into Design Practices). Landscape Architecture (Fengjing Yuanlin), 31(7), 39-47 10.3724/j.fjyl.202311130516
19) Al Mamun, M., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. E. L. (2024). Sustainable Urban Planning Challenges in the Peri-Urban Landscape: Evaluating LULC Dynamics and the Policy Effectiveness of the Chattogram Metropolitan Region, Bangladesh. Land, 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081157
18) Park, S. Y., Lee, R., Newton, C., & Han, G. (2024). How are people coping with working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic? Experiences from the Netherlands and South Korea. PLoS ONE, 19(4), Article e0301351. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301351
17) Uyttebroeck, C.; De Decker, P. & Newton, C., (2023). Living and working in the (post-pandemic) city: a research agenda. Housing Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2023.2286359
16) Uyttebroeck, C. & Newton, C., (2023). Good Living in Brussel Post Pandemic. Ruimte & Maatschappij 14(1), 25–43. https://doi.org/10.21825/renm.89135
15) Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. (2023). Advanced Digital Methods for Analysing and Optimising Accessibility and Visibility of Water for Designing Sustainable Healthy Urban Environments. Sustainable Cities and Society, 98, 104804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104804
14) Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. (2023). Uncovering the Visibility of Blue Spaces: Design-oriented Methods for Analysing Water Elements and Maximizing Their Potential. Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, 8(2023), 628–638. https://doi.org/10.14627/537740066
13) Park, S. Y., Newton, C., & Lee, R. (2023). How to Alleviate Feelings of Crowding in a Working from Home Environment: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1025. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021025
12) Zhang, H., Nijhuis, S., & Newton, C. (2022). Freshwater blue space design and human health: A comprehensive research mapping based on scientometric analysis. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 97, 106859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2022.106859
11) Newton, C., & Rocco, R. (2022). Actually Existing Commons: Using the Commons to Reclaim the City. Social Inclusion, 10(1), 91-102. doi:https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v10i1.4838
10) Newton, C. (2021). The Role of Government Initiated Urban Planning Experiments in Transition Processes and Their Contribution to Change at the Regime Level. Sustainability, 13(5), 2419. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052419
9) Rooij, R., Aalbers, K., Hausleitner, B., Newton, C., & Rocco, R. (2020). Education for the resilient city – Teaching and learning urban design and planning in (post-) COVID-19 times. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Urban Design and Planning, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1680/jurdp.20.00052
8) Ertas, H., Pak, B., & Newton, C. (2019). An Operational Framework for an Online Community Based on the Commons, Dissensus and Shared Knowledge. Postdigital Science and Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-019-00067-6
7) Newton, C., & Schuermans, N. (2013). More than twenty years after the repeal of the Group Areas Act: housing, spatial planning and urban development in post-apartheid South Africa. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 28(4), 579–587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-013-9344-7
6) Newton, C. (2013). The peoples housing process … getting the quality in the quantity? Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 1–13 LA–English. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-013-9349-2
5) Schuermans, N., & Newton, C. (2012). Being a young and foreign researcher in South Africa: Towards a postcolonial dialogue. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 33(3), 295–300. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12005_4
4) Newton, C. (2012). Victoria Mxenge: a Story About More Than Women Building Their Community. Urban Forum,23(2), 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-012-9150-4
3) De Decker, P., and Newton, C. (2010). Ob padcu utopije / At the fall of Utopia. Urbani izziv/Urban Challenge, 20(2), 5-13 and 74-82.
2) Newton, C. (2009). Ruimtelijk design vandaag: ontwerpen voor of met mensen? Ruimte en Maatschappij, 1(1), 60-67.
1) Newton, C. The Reverse Side of the Medal: About the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the Beautification of the N2 in Cape Town. Urban Forum 20, 93–108 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-009-9048-y
Articles in other scientific journals
6) Newton, C., Verstraete, J., & Maes, N. (2020). The Village People? 1M Homes Initiative. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47982/1mh.14
5) Newton, C. & Vermeiren K. (2011) Blik op het Zuiden. Agora (27)2, 4-6
4) Van Look, E. & Newton, C. (2011) Stadsvernieuwing in ‘booming’ Addis Abeba. Agora (27)2, 24-27
3) Newton, C. (2010) Vrouwen die bouwen… Agora, (6 pages)
2) Loopmans, M., Leclerq, E., & Newton, C. (2009). Sociale Planning: Het ruimtelijk determinisme voorbij. Ruimte en Planning, 28(4), 3-8.
1) Newton, C. (2008). Wonen zoals iedereen? Agora, 24(3), 43-46.
Articles in other professional journals
4) Newton C. & Van Moerkerke, B. (2023) Denken, ja, maar ook oefenen en prutsen. Ruimte, 59, 12-17
3) Newton, C., Willems, E., Schipper, K., & Roorda, C. (2019). De circulaire stad van morgen. Inclusief en ruimtelijk verankerd. Ruimte, 68–71.
2) Newton, C. (2017) Ruimte voor activatie. Pilootprojecten terug in Omloop. in Bodem 5, 17-19.
1) Newton, C. (2016) Pilootprojecten Terug in Omloop. in: Ruimte 28, 80-84
Special Issues
2) Newton, C., & Schuermans, N. (2013). More than twenty years after the repeal of the Group Areas Act: Housing, spatial planning and urban development in post-apartheid South Africa. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 28(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-013-9344-7
1) Newton, C. & Vermeiren K. (2011) Blik op het Zuiden. Agora (27)2, 4-6
Published books – as (co-)author or (co-)editor
9) Newton, C. (2025). Envisioning Spatial Justice. Explorations, Reflections and Design Approaches. JapSam Books.
8) Rocco, R., & Newton, C. (Eds.) (2025). A Manifesto for the Just City: Volume 4. TU Delft OPEN Publishing. https://doi.org/10.59490/mg.142
7) van der Watt, A., Vergara, L. M., Pessoa, I., & Newton, C. (Eds.). (2024). Rethink the City: New Approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges. TU Delft OPEN Publishing. https://doi.org/10.59490/mg.101
6) Rocco, R., & Newton, C. E. L. (Eds.) (2023). A Manifesto for the Just City: Volume 3. TU Delft OPEN Publishing. https://doi.org/10.59490/mg.79
5) Rocco, R., & Newton, C. E. L. (Eds.) (2022). A Manifesto for the Just City: Volume 2. TU Delft OPEN Publishing. https://doi.org/10.34641/mg.36
4) Rocco, R., Bracken, G., Newton, C. , & Dabrowski, M. M. (Eds.) (2022). Teaching, Learning & Researching Spatial Planning. TU Delft Open. https://doi.org/10.34641/mg.50
3) Rocco, R., Bracken, G., Newton, C. , & Dabrowski, M. M. (Eds.) (2022). Teaching, Learning & Researching Spatial Planning. TU Delft Open. https://doi.org/10.34641/mg.50
2) Boano, C., Hunter, W. and Newton, C. (2013) contested Urbanism in Dharavi. Writings and Projects for the Resilient City. London: The Bartlett’s Development Planning unit, UCL.
1) Loopmans, M., Leclerq E., Newton C. (2011) Plannen voor Mensen. Handboek sociaal-ruimtelijke planning. Antwerpen, Garant.
Publications – scientific editor
3) Rocco, R., Newton, C., D’Alençon, L. M. V., Watt, A. van der, Babu, G., Caradonna, G., … Pessoa, I. T. (Eds.). (2021). A manifesto for the just city. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.34641/mg.14
2) Rocco, R., Newton, C., Vergara, L., Pessoa, I., & Van de Watt, A. (2021). The New Urban Normal. Sustainability and Resilience Post COVID-19. Delft.
1) Newton, C., Tempst, W., Verheyen, J., Luyten, E., & Devoldere, S. (2016). Pilootprojecten Terug in Omloop. (C. Newton, Ed.).Vlaams Bouwmeester.
Book chapter, (inter)nationally recognised publisher
15.) Pessoa, I., van der Watt, A., Vergara, L. M., & Newton, C. (2024). From Global South to Underrepresented Geographies. In Rethink the City: New Approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges (pp. 8–19). TU Delft OPEN Publishing. https://doi.org/10.59490/mg.101
14.) Vergara, L. M., van der Watt, A., Pessoa, I., & Newton, C. (2024). Rethink the City: Facts, Global Community and Pressing Urban Challenges. In Rethink the City: New Approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges (pp. 20–47). TU Delft OPEN Publishing. https://doi.org/10.59490/mg.101
13.) Newton, C. (2023). Het modernisme tijdens het Cambodjaanse Sangkum-tijdperk. Waar utopische visies en architecturale praxis samenkomen. In H. Leinfelder, I. Pannecoucke, W. Van Damme en J. Verstraete (eds.), Wonen uit de schaduw. Liber amicorum Pascal De Decker. Gompel&Scavina
12.) Newton, C. (2023). Ink and Ideas. Manifesto Exercises for Shaping Equitable Cities. In A Manifesto for the Just City. Volume III. TU Delft OPEN Publishing.
11.) Newton, C. (2022). Planning as Critical Engaged Practice: Consequences for Studio Education. In R. Rocco, G. Bracken, C. Newton, & M. Dabrowski (Eds.), Teaching, Learning & Researching Spatial Planning (pp. 264-273). TU Delft Open.
10.) Rocco, R., Bracken, G., Newton, C. , & Dabrowski, M. M. (2022). Foreword. In R. Rocco, G. Bracken, C. Newton, & M. Dabrowski (Eds.), Teaching, Learning & Researching Spatial Planning (pp. 10-13). TU Delft Open.
9) Lipietz, B., & Newton, C. (2016). Pédagogie pour un “real change”: The DPU/ACHR partnership. In A. Deboulet (Ed.), Repenser les quartiers précaires (pp. 251–263). Agence Française de développement.
8) Lipietz, B., & Newton, C. (2016). Pedagogy for “real change”: The DPU/ACHR partnership. In A. Deboulet (Ed.), Rethinking Precarious Neighborhoods (pp. 233–244). Agence Française de développement.
7) Boano, C., Newton, C., & Talocci, G. (2016). Towards an architecture of engagement: researching contested urbanism and informalities. In B. Campkin & G. Duijzings (Eds.), Engaged Urbanism. Cities & Methodologies (pp. 45–52). London: I.B. Tauris.
6) De Decker, P., & Newton, C. (2016). The impact of discourse on the development of a diversified residential future: a case study from Flanders. In: Sten Gromark, Mervi Ilmonen, Katrin Paadam and Eli Støa (eds), Ways of Residing in Transformation Interdisciplinary Perspectives (153-172). London: Ashgate.
5) Newton, C., & Pak, B. (2015). Virtuality and Fostering Critical Design Thinking: An Exploration of the Possibilities Through Critical Theory, Design Practices and Networked Learning. In P. Jandrić & D. Boras (Eds.), Critical Learning in Digital Networks (pp. 101–132). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13752-0
4) Pak, B., & Newton, C. (2015). Eversion as a generative metaphor for situating virtual worlds in architectural design education. In G. Sue, M. Lee, B. Dalgarno, & B. Tynan (Eds.), Virtual Worlds for Online Learning: Cases and Applications. New York: NOVA Science
3) Newton, C., & Pak, B. (2012). Innovative Technologies for Invigorating Critical Thinking in Architectural Design. In K. Drazic (Ed.), Eastern Surf_Kernel Panic Control (pp. 100–105). Open University of Velika Gorica.
2) De Decker, P., & Newton, C. (2012). Waarom de leeuw aan het bouwen sloeg. Bouwstenen voor een zoektocht naar de grondslagen van het Belgisch/Vlaamse woonmodel. In P. De Decker, B. Hubeau, I. Loots, & I. Pannecoucke (Eds.), Zolang de leeuw kan bouwen. (pp. 71–107). Antwerpen-Apeldoorn: Garant.
1) De Decker, P., Kesteloot, C., & Newton, C. (2008). Where are vulnerable people to live in a State obsessed with homeownership? In: Doherty J. & Edgar B. (ed.) In my caravan I feel like Superman. Essays in honour of Henk Meert 1963-2006 (pp. 7-30). FEANTSA and the Centre for Housing Research, University of St Andrews.
Other publications – as author
2) Newton, C. (2019). Spatial Justice as a prerequisite for future planning and design. In D. Stead, G. Bracken, R. Rooij, & R. Rocco (Eds.), Celebrating Spatial Planning at TU Delft 2008-2019 (p. 118). Delft.
1) Newton, C. (2015) A sense of design? In: SummerLab Series 2014. London: DPU.
Papers at international conferences and symposia, published in full in proceedings (peer-reviewed)
5) Pak, B., Newton, C., & Verbeke, J. (2012). Virtual Worlds and Architectural Education: A Typological Framework. In H. Achten, J. Pavlicek, J. Hulin, & D. Matejdan (Eds.), Digital Physicality – Proceedings of the 30th eCAADe Conference – Volume 1 (pp. 739–746). Prague.
4) Newton, C. (2010) UniverCity-Centre: the university as an anchor and its capacity for democratizing urban space. African Perspective Conference: “The African city CENTRE: (re)sourced. (25.09.09 – 28.09.09) Pretoria
3) Newton C. (2010) Haussmann revisited… Or how football ‘beautifies’ the Mother city. An inquiry into tourism mega-events and their impact on society. The case of FIFA 2010 in Cape Town. Proceedings of the 4th International Colloquium on Tourism & Leisure. July 6th – 9th Bangkok (Thailand)
2) Newton, C. (2008). The Reverse Side of the Medal: About Beautification Processes and the Effects for the ‘Ordinary People’. In B. Wu & N. Dang (Eds.), Proceedings of the Second ITSA Bi-Annual Conference. International Tourism Studies Association: Globalization, Tourism & Development: Mega Events and Urban Tourism (pp. 146-157). Shanghai.
1) Newton, C. (2005). Bourdieu’s “Effets de lieu” in the South African context or how urban planning can be a political weapon. In V. Van Acker & F. Witlox (Eds.), De Belgische Geografendagen. Mobiliteit, Maatschappij en Milieu in kaart gebracht (pp. 235-241). Zelzate: DCL Print&Sign.
Reports
3) Rocco, R., & Newton, C. (2022). Summer School Planning & Design for the Just City 2022: Final Report. (Summer School Planning & Design for the Just City). Centre for the Just City.
2) Ghyselen, S., Newton C., Prignot, N., Deprez, B., le Maire J. & Prignot, I. (2010) Raportage. Analyse des obstacles au développement de quartiers durables et solutions. (pour le IBGE, Bruxelles).
1) Newton, C., Tempst, W., Verheyen, J., Luyten, E., & Devoldere, S. (2016). Pilootprojecten Terug in Omloop. (C. Newton, Ed.).Vlaams Bouwmeester.
Miscellaneous
2) TOOLBOX Ensemble d’immeubles hauts (February 2012, French and Dutch version). avec: Bernard Deprez, Juliette Duchange,Sophie Ghyselen, Xavier Guigue, Caroline Newton, Isabelle Prignot. Chercheurs en association momentannée La Cambre – Sint-Lucas
1) Micro etude de faisabilité: Le Parc du Peterbos demain (October 2011). Avec: Bernard Deprez, Juliette Duchange, Sophie Ghyselen, Xavier Guigue, Judith Le Maire, Caroline Newton, Isabelle Prignot.
Caroline Newton 