Stichting Rho Graduation Prize awarded for the fifth time to young talent in spatial planning

During the graduation ceremony at BUas, the winner of this year’s Rho Graduation Prize was announced. The jury consisted of: Jur van der Velde (board member of Stichting Rho), Monique Lammens (director of Rho Adviseurs) and Daniëlle Gooijers (project leader for Planning at Rho Adviseurs). The Rho Graduation Prize is a joint initiative of Stichting Rho and BUas. The prize recognises the best graduation project on a topical theme or an innovation.

There were no fewer than 13 entries, many of an exceptionally high standard. The jury assessed, among other things, the urgency and relevance of the chosen topic, and the research skills demonstrated. The depth of the research carried out – and, consequently, the students’ strong research skills – made a great impression on the jury. The practical applicability of the research findings was also assessed. In this respect, the entries differed markedly from one another.

Alexandra Çosar wins the fifth-anniversary edition of the Stichting Rho Graduation Prize

From among all the entries, Alexandra Çosar was selected by the jury as the winner thanks to her impressive graduation research project entitled ‘Circular water systems at the European Parliament in Brussels’. In her research, Alexandra focuses on an urgent and increasingly relevant challenge: water management in existing urban areas. Her specific case study concerned the buildings and surrounding public spaces of the European Parliament in Brussels. According to the jury, her research stood out for its broad and methodologically sound approach.

Second prize went to Ronan Strickland-Pargrazzi for his graduation research project entitled ‘Using Trias Mobilica as a framework for street design’. This was a thorough study of mobility based on the Trias Mobilica, Broad Prosperity and the STOMP model, using Breda’s Singel as a case study – a current barrier within the urban network.

An honourable mention – third prize – was awarded to Elizaveta Denissenko for her research entitled “Safety framework for the Tilburg Spoorzone”.

The winner of the 2026 Rho Graduation Prize was presented with a cheque for €850 by the jury chair, Monique Lammens (director of Rho Adviseurs).

The jury’s assessment of Alexandra Cosar’s thesis:

The jury particularly appreciates the way in which Alexandra has carefully analysed a complex and topical issue. She has examined her case study from various levels of scale: from European policy and legislation, to the public space surrounding buildings, right down to the technical infrastructure of the European Parliament’s existing buildings. This broad perspective makes the research methodologically and theoretically robust.

At the same time, the research does not remain at an abstract level. Alexandra convincingly demonstrates that existing legislation and regulations are often insufficiently tailored to circular solutions in existing contexts, but that doing nothing is not an option. 

With the development of the Circular Water Toolbox, she makes a concrete contribution to the field. The toolbox helps to improve existing sites and buildings step by step, taking into account what is achievable in the short term and what requires a longer-term approach. By applying the toolbox to the case study and making recommendations that include phasing and risk analysis, Alexandra effectively links analysis, design and feasibility. The jury regards this as a thorough, practically applicable and forward-looking piece of research.

Stichting Rho and BUas would like to offer their heartfelt congratulations to all the prize winners on this outstanding achievement!

More about the Built Environment study programme