Joyce Zwartkruis

Joyce Zwartkruis is a Researcher at Wageningen University & Research specializing in Regional Development and Spatial Use, with active contributions to nature-based solutions and participatory spatial planning. Her work bridges environmental science and social justice through co-creation methodologies in landscape management.

Her research centers on implementing nature-based solutions through participatory approaches, with strong emphasis on urban nature policy-practice gaps, socially just landscape co-design, and youth engagement in climate adaptation. Key methodologies include case study analysis and spatial modeling to address regional development challenges in the Netherlands, particularly focusing on stakeholder collaboration and equitable implementation of sustainable land use strategies.

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a consistent trend toward practical, solution-oriented research with immediate policy applications. Her work prioritizes actionable insights from Dutch case studies, emphasizing co-creation frameworks, implementation barriers in urban contexts, and youth-led climate action – all structured to provide clear guidance for practitioners while advancing theoretical understanding of participatory spatial planning.

As project leader for "ADD Inventarisatie innovaties landbouw" (2023-2024), she managed agricultural innovation inventory research with multi-institutional collaboration. Her grant portfolio demonstrates strong partnerships across Wageningen's research units including Social & Economic Research and Livestock Research, reflecting integrated approaches to sustainable land management challenges.

Dr. Zwartkruis operates within Wageningen University's Regional Development and Spatial Use research group, which employs transdisciplinary methods to tackle complex spatial challenges. The team specializes in co-creation processes, participatory modeling, and nature-based solution implementation, maintaining active networks with Dutch municipalities, environmental NGOs, and European research consortia focused on sustainable territorial development.