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By Kim Donaldson

Bobet Kloosterman ’23 has always embraced her curiosity, leading her to impactful work at the intersection of urban design, community engagement, and environmental research.

After graduating from UCU, Bobet moved to Brussels to pursue a dual master’s in Urban Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), diving deeper into the practical and theoretical aspects of city life. “I’m really enjoying getting more into the practical side of this interdisciplinarity and being able to do what I love in another new city,” Bobet shared. “It’s exciting to take what I learned in school and apply it to real-world problems.”

One of those real-world problems is the future of urban green spaces. Bobet's work is shaping the future of greener, more inclusive urban environments.

Shaping the Future of Green Urban Spaces

As a research assistant for the European-funded  project, Bobet is exploring how to transform schoolyards into vibrant green spaces in cities like Rotterdam, Brussels, Paris, and Barcelona. Through her research, she’s learning not just about the spaces themselves, but about how children’s perspectives can help create more welcoming and sustainable environments. “One thing that really surprised me was how many children mentioned caring for others. They’d say things like, ‘I love football, but not everyone does, so there should be a space for them, too.’ I found it very nice that even in the kind of society we live in now, these children still know that caring for each other matters so much.”

Bobet's journey toward urban studies wasn't entirely planned. “I recently read my UCU application letter, and I was talking about history, economics, philosophy, and math,” she laughed. “I accidentally ended up in a geography class because I wanted to do something social sciencey, and I realised, this is what I want to do.” she explained. From there, her path was set—shaped by a passion for understanding and improving the way cities function.

Her experiences at UCU, including a gastronomy course and a transformative fieldwork trip to Morocco, have also played a significant role in shaping her current work. The lessons she learned about community and connection, especially in a global context, continue to resonate with her today.

Making Connections

Bobet's experiences aren’t limited to the classroom or research lab. At , a nonprofit community kitchen in Brussels, Bobet volunteers weekly, chopping vegetables and preparing meals using unsold market produce from a nearby market. The meals are free and open to all. “It’s a really beautiful way to connect with people,” she said. “One of my closest friends there is an 84-year-old nun-—she's such an inspiration.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Bobet is considering multiple paths, from continuing academic research through a PhD to working in policy-making or with local governments on projects that foster accessible and inclusive urban spaces. “I’ve always known what was next, like going to UCU and then doing this master's, but now I’m not sure what comes after summer,” she said. “I do know that I love this field. I could see myself continuing the same research or exploring intergenerational spaces or accessibility. There are so many directions I could go, and I’m excited to see where it leads.”

In the upcoming podcast episode, Bobet will dive even deeper into her work, experiences, what inspires her, and the unexpected ways her journey has unfolded. Her advice for fellow young alumni? “Go places, talk to people, go to events. If you find something that you're passionate about, no matter what it is, you should strive to do something with it."

Curious to hear more about Bobet's journey and the future of urban spaces?
Be sure to tune into the episode when it drops in early February!