This thesis seeks to examine how women in African American communities in the United States form alternative networks of care and use practices of homemaking when that kind of care and protection...Show moreThis thesis seeks to examine how women in African American communities in the United States form alternative networks of care and use practices of homemaking when that kind of care and protection is not offered by the state in the aftermath of disaster. Practices of homemaking have been used by African American women as spaces of recuperation and political resistance from slavery to the civil rights movement to post-Katrina New Orleans. Furthermore, I ask how this community building creates urban belonging and a right to the city, revolutionizing Lefebvre’s right to the city. The question is how community building functions as a reclamation of New Orleans, a city drowned and transformed, and how the right to return and the right to neighborhood and community plays into that. I thus aim to deepen the understanding of how existing kinship structures in post-disaster communities impact the process of returning to New Orleans, recovering from the storm and rebuilding in its aftermath, when institutional frameworks are lacking.Show less
This research explores the divergent perspectives of winemakers and residents regarding the ecosystem services provided by vineyards in Vienna, employing the Q-methodology to encapsulate the full...Show moreThis research explores the divergent perspectives of winemakers and residents regarding the ecosystem services provided by vineyards in Vienna, employing the Q-methodology to encapsulate the full scope of these subjective viewpoints. The study illuminates how these stakeholder groups value the vineyards' contribution to provisioning, regulating, and cultural services, as categorized under the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). Winemakers predominantly perceive vineyards as an integral part of their livelihood, with emphasis on provisioning services, while acknowledging their cultural importance and acknowledging their role in supporting local biodiversity. In contrast, residents recognize the cultural and regulating services of the vineyards, appreciating their aesthetic contribution to Vienna's landscape, their role in climate regulation, and their value for recreational activities, with less emphasis on provisioning services. By revealing the divergences and intersections in these perspectives, the study provides valuable insights for policy formulation and sustainable management of urban agroecosystems.Show less
Modernism, aside from its architectural application, is also presented throughout urban planning. A widely applied modernist approach in city planning, as explored in Japan, is Metabolism. This...Show moreModernism, aside from its architectural application, is also presented throughout urban planning. A widely applied modernist approach in city planning, as explored in Japan, is Metabolism. This thesis will be looking at projects within the Metabolism movement, while also considering the Japanese context and conditions for development. While discussing urban planning, it is common to talk about cities in the same context, which simplifies the planning process and the planning culture of a city. Different factors that build up the concept of planning culture, specifically the Japanese planning culture, will be explored throughout this thesis, using the works of architects related to the Metabolism movement. What is aimed to be discovered is the realisation of metabolic designs in the relation to the aims and priorities of Japanese planning culture.Show less
Built heritage plays an important role in the urban planning context, interestingly enough to shift social and environmental concepts within a community. With the objective of providing alternative...Show moreBuilt heritage plays an important role in the urban planning context, interestingly enough to shift social and environmental concepts within a community. With the objective of providing alternative perspectives on prior assessments of the value of historical city identity for a sense of place in cities, this thesis provides a discussion and analysis of a contrasting modern-day city like Rotterdam. The research is useful for cities that have undergone mass destruction and are in need of general reconstruction in answering questions on how to (re)build a sense of place for their population. Additionally, the findings are written upon existing literature, interviews conducted with local architects and urban designers, as well as a survey of Rotterdammers living and working within the city center. Reflecting on the urban planning practices, it becomes evident that Rotterdammers’ grew their appreciation and awareness towards historical value. Findings show, historical city identity has the potential to foster a sense of belonging, connectedness, familiarity, continuity and through that alter Rotterdammers’ sense of place. However, it fails to provide distinctiveness and support the community’s multicultural identity.Show less
This thesis demonstrates how the identity process of Gaye and Kuyateh, two griots from the Gambia, is shaped by global forces. Their griot training has prepared them to enforce significance within...Show moreThis thesis demonstrates how the identity process of Gaye and Kuyateh, two griots from the Gambia, is shaped by global forces. Their griot training has prepared them to enforce significance within Gambian society. However rapid processes of modernization have influenced the social environment that they operated in. Furthermore, global processes of deterritorialization, imperialist nostalgia and the rise of world music have eventually determined their decision to migrate to The Netherlands as musicians. By using the Identity Process Theory, this study analyzes how these two griots use music as a tool to cope with the identity threats that this new environment presents them.Show less
Space distribution is an important aspect of city planning. Its proper conduct would contribute to the creation or distortion of proper accessibility, mobility, and right to the city. Historically,...Show moreSpace distribution is an important aspect of city planning. Its proper conduct would contribute to the creation or distortion of proper accessibility, mobility, and right to the city. Historically, cities have implemented a more profit-based approach to urbanism, creating a car-centric narrative in urban space distribution. However, lately there have been movements of progressive urbanism, which advocate for a future change. More specifically, as cities progress, how can urban planners succeed to redevelop their urban planning methods in order to fit a more human-centric approach on a street level.Show less
Societies worldwide have been severely impacted during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines are the key to protecting the world from another global...Show moreSocieties worldwide have been severely impacted during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines are the key to protecting the world from another global infection. This study seeks to find out from a social science and humanities perspective whether the COVID-19 vaccine absorption capacity among young adults have changed during and after the pandemic, and whether it is linked to social norms. In addition, this study also aimed to see whether social norms can be a potential theoretical framework or perspective to be implemented into urban governance in order to improve a city’s biopolitics and the overall health of city dwellers.Show less
At present there are millions of urban dwellers around the world who are encountering water shortages. Urban water security, a concept that concerns adequate water provisioning to urban areas, is...Show moreAt present there are millions of urban dwellers around the world who are encountering water shortages. Urban water security, a concept that concerns adequate water provisioning to urban areas, is therefore becoming a more eminent topic. This concept sets forth the importance of taking into account the provisioning of water as an interrelated concept. Urban water security is intersected with other issues such as equality and justice in water access, accommodating the principle of access to water as a right. Guaranteeing urban water security and the implementation of such policies is notably influenced by different water governance perspectives and the other way around as well. The concept of water governance entails different dimensions of political, organisational and administrative processes via which public concerns are incorporated, decisions are implemented and governments are held responsible for the management and improvement of water resources and services regarding water delivery. This thesis will analyse the water management situation in Amsterdam in the 1930’s and 1940’s through examination of changing urban water security and water governance problems and solutions. Furthermore, lessons learned from the water management in Amsterdam in the 1930’s and 1940’s will be used to think about solving current water management problems in regard to climate change.Show less
Social mobility has acquired expansive interest from the academic literature. Nevertheless, there are numerous components of social mobility and methodologies that have not received the same level...Show moreSocial mobility has acquired expansive interest from the academic literature. Nevertheless, there are numerous components of social mobility and methodologies that have not received the same level of attention. This research paper combines various poorly researched aspects of social mobility to establish an introductory and exploratory foundation for novel research studies. In so doing, it aims to examine the applicability of social mobility theories and models to a non-Western setting: Nairobi, Kenya and open up new opportunities and directions for social mobility research. Using spatial analysis research, this paper shows that indeed there are patterns and variations that differ in significance for social mobility in Nairobi compared to the suggestions of the existing literature. It, therefore, indicates the need for additional research of social mobility using new lenses and methods.Show less
This thesis uses a policy discourse analysis to examine the dominant discourses and values embedded in integration policy briefs from six Dutch municipalities: Breda, Den Haag, Dronten, Midden...Show moreThis thesis uses a policy discourse analysis to examine the dominant discourses and values embedded in integration policy briefs from six Dutch municipalities: Breda, Den Haag, Dronten, Midden-Groningen, Oude Ijsselstreek, and Tilburg. In 2022, the responsibility for immigrant integration in the Netherlands partly shifted from a national to a municipal responsibility (Rijksoverheid n.d.). The analysis reveals key insights about the integration policies of these municipalities. While the dominant overlapping theme in the briefs is a focus on inclusivity and language proficiency, there are remarkable differences found between the municipalities, reflecting a diversity of values and priorities that occurs when shifting part of the responsibility for immigrant integration from a national level to a local level. This thesis also considers the concept of path dependency, as discussed by Kay, which illuminates the influence of historical policy shifts, from non-acceptance to tolerance, multiculturalism, and assimilation, on current policy briefs. The compatibility and adoption of multiculturalism and assimilation strategies are examined within the context of each municipality.Show less
This thesis examines the association between living in an urban environment and perceived feelings of missing out (FoMO) among university students. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, my...Show moreThis thesis examines the association between living in an urban environment and perceived feelings of missing out (FoMO) among university students. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, my study explores a potential relationship between urban living and FoMO levels and reasons for students' experience of FoMO. The central research question focuses on how living in an urban environment as a student relates to the experience of FoMO. My study conducts a statistical analysis, specifically Kendall's correlation coefficient, to examine the association between living urban and levels of FoMO. Surprisingly, the results show no significant association, which may be attributed to the small sample size used in the study. Therefore, future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between urban living and FoMO among university students. Additionally, my study conducts thematic analysis, revealing differences in the reasons behind FoMO experiences among students living in more urban and less urban environments. Students in urban settings often mention roommates as a source of FoMO, while students in less urban environments report different reasons. These findings highlight the influence of social dynamics and environmental factors specific to different urban settings on FoMO experiences. The research underscores the importance of investigating both online and offline factors contributing to FoMO. While existing literature primarily focuses on online factors, such as social media use, my study emphasises the need to explore offline factors, including living with many opportunities for social connection and physical proximity to social events. Understanding the multifaceted nature of FoMO can help in developing more effective strategies to reduce people’s experienced levels and address the associated negative mental health effects among university students. In conclusion, this study finds no significant association between living in an urban environment and FoMO levels among university students. It highlights the necessity for future research with larger and more diverse samples, while also emphasising the importance of investigating both online and offline factors contributing to FoMO experiences. This can in the future help to develop better strategies and interventions to reduce FoMO and the added negative mental health effects among university students.Show less
The fashion industry is a major contributor to the negative environmental impacts on the planet. Therefore, the need to diminish the consumption of clothing and adopt a more sustainable manner of...Show moreThe fashion industry is a major contributor to the negative environmental impacts on the planet. Therefore, the need to diminish the consumption of clothing and adopt a more sustainable manner of doing fashion has become imperative. The upcoming approach of Circular Economy (CE) proposes a framework for achieving sustainability by reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. Within this context, second-hand clothing represents a practice of the CE which emphasizes the concept of reusing and maximizing the lifespan of textile materials. The enhancement of this practice can have positive environmental impacts on the planet. For the actual implementation and success of this practice, the role of consumers and their engagement is relevant. Several worldwide studies have already explored consumers’ awareness and participation in the second-hand clothing market but none, to the knowledge of the researcher, concerning Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. Therefore, this thesis will focus on Amsterdam and tries to gain insights by posing the following research question: To what extent are consumers in Amsterdam aware of and participating in the circular economy practice of second-hand clothing? Specifically, to investigate this matter, the research was conducted through the distribution of an online survey with the participation of 77 consumers. Results showed a generally high level of awareness but a lower level of active participation in the CE practice of second-hand clothing. This study may provide valuable insights, not only, to the municipality of Amsterdam but also to a wide range of other stakeholders involved in the second-hand clothing market, with the overall aim of enhancing the adoption of CE and the second-hand clothing practice.Show less
Cities and their populations are constantly growing, and this is putting a great strain on the planet’s resources. Cities consume 75% of all the global natural resources, one of which is water. The...Show moreCities and their populations are constantly growing, and this is putting a great strain on the planet’s resources. Cities consume 75% of all the global natural resources, one of which is water. The city’s density and economic activity affect the distribution of these resources and it is one of the reasons why cities are turning to the Smart City concept. This allows cities to use technology to gather large amounts of real time data and adjust the existing and future plans. However, more data is needed to help these adjustments become more effective. Some researchers have turned towards the citizens as the prime generators of data, calling it citizen science. As a result, methods which motivate citizens to adopt the smart city technology are essential to enable data generation. This research focused on the following question: How can gamification theory facilitate the data collection for urban water management models in the city of The Hague? Through literature research and a questionnaire, the research showed how gamification can help generate more data by motivating the citizens of The Hague. By using the existing water management system as a basis, implementing gamification characteristics which influence the user’s utilitarian perspective like badges, overview tables, notifications and rewards, a user can become more motivated to use the water consumption system, generate data which can be used by urban water management models and ultimately make cities a more sustainable environment.Show less
This paper examines the roles and perspectives of various stakeholders regarding green roof adoption in Rotterdam. The research aims to understand what actions can be undertaken by different...Show moreThis paper examines the roles and perspectives of various stakeholders regarding green roof adoption in Rotterdam. The research aims to understand what actions can be undertaken by different stakeholders in order for green roof adoption to be accelerated and its many benefits to be yielded. A literature review was undertaken to examine barriers to green roof adoption as well as to explore the best practices in cities leading in green roofs: Chicago and Basel. Over the course of three structured interviews, the applicability of the best practices to Rotterdam was determined. The findings show that Rotterdam is limited financially and in terms of power over building demands. However, the municipality of Rotterdam, together with other important stakeholders involved with green roofs - such as installation companies or maintenance workers - can collaborate efficiently to raise awareness and reach a common goal: to increase the presence of (multifunctional) green roofs. This collaboration could exist in the form of quantitative research to publish facts and data about the positive impacts of green roofs in Rotterdam, or through qualitative interviews that aim to learn about the generally positive experiences of green roof owners.Show less
