This thesis aims at contributing to the development of the novel concept of Smart Sustainable Cities (SSC). Existing literature lacks consistency and a clear overview of what fields should be part...Show moreThis thesis aims at contributing to the development of the novel concept of Smart Sustainable Cities (SSC). Existing literature lacks consistency and a clear overview of what fields should be part of SSC frameworks, as demonstrated by the variety of proposed frameworks, dimensions, indicators, and fields. For this reason, this thesis researched one possible path to an improved framework – through lessons on Circular Economy (CE). CE practices are being applied to cities at an increasing rate and the insights from their frameworks could advance SSC. Through asystematic literature review of the implementations of both concepts – CE and SSC, an overview of the most common fields has been offered, and lessons from CE applied to SSC. This thesis answered the research question: How can Circular Economy contribute to the Smart Sustainable City framework? The results are summarized in an improved comprehensive framework for Smart Sustainable City,divided into four dimensions with 23 strategic fields. Innovation, business, tourism, local resources, building sector, and food were among fields strongly supported byCE literature, while SSC models seemed not to realize all of their potentials. This review provides a thorough overview of the state of the affairs on the topic, offering a starting point for future research. This framework can be used for multiple purposes, from developing indicators for assessing a city’s progress towards becoming an SSC to offering guidance on where to implement smart sustainable solutions.Show less
Around the world, urban governors are confronted with the task to protect their inhabitants against the effects of climate change. To take such measures, developers nowadays turn more towards...Show moreAround the world, urban governors are confronted with the task to protect their inhabitants against the effects of climate change. To take such measures, developers nowadays turn more towards nature-based solutions. For instance, the Henriëttewaard in ‘s-Hertogenbosch has been chosen for nature development to contribute to the city’s resilience as part of the Green Delta Program. By gaining insight and incorporating the demands of stakeholders into area plans, a more inclusive nature-based solution can be developed which increases support for these types of projects. This study aims to investigate how stakeholder objectives can be aligned with the potential ecosystem services and nature-based solutions elements in the Henriëttewaard. A literature survey and a survey with qualitative and quantitative questions were used to get insights into stakeholder demands for ecosystem services, as stakeholder participation can significantly improve the quality of spatial development projects. Results reveal that through potential ecosystem services mapping and engaging stakeholders in setting objectives for the Henriëttewaard, bottlenecks surface, and connections form, which allows the alignment of objectives and NbS elements. The main bottleneck is the disagreement among stakeholders about allowing agricultural activities in the Henriëttewaard. Fostering deliberation, cooperation, and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, will support aligning objectives like recreation, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience with potential ecosystem services. This research contributes to the integration of nature-based solutions in the Henriëttewaard, supporting the overall importance of facilitating inclusivity and quality. It expands existing knowledge by identifying what challenges can be expected in similar projects. Notwithstanding the limited sample, this research offers clarification into the complexities of stakeholder engagement in nature-based solution projects that are key to creating a livable city.Show less
This research tries to identify the ways in which the Armenian Apostolic Church of Amsterdam provokes a sense of belonging within the community of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Amsterdam. It is...Show moreThis research tries to identify the ways in which the Armenian Apostolic Church of Amsterdam provokes a sense of belonging within the community of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Amsterdam. It is important to stress whether the sense of belonging felt among the community is provoked by the Armenian church or not. The diasporic identity, the Armenian identity, religious practices and the intertwinement of these factors all contribute to the sense of belonging of this community. Furthermore, having a church in Amsterdam makes the Armenians feel like they belong to the city of Amsterdam as well, additionally to the sense of belonging of their community.Show less
Mobility worldwide is being transformed following the rapid emergence of dockless shared schemes of e-bicycles and e-scooters. Dockless modes give users freedom to park at any location within large...Show moreMobility worldwide is being transformed following the rapid emergence of dockless shared schemes of e-bicycles and e-scooters. Dockless modes give users freedom to park at any location within large geographical boundaries. They are advocated on the premise of sustainability and accessibility, although there is also a for-profit agenda behind operative decision-making processes. Often, these micro-vehicles are competing for space with pedestrians in already overcrowded cities. The Hague, Netherlands, is experiencing poorly parked e-scooters in its coastal area. The aim of this paper is to assess the state-of-art of dockless shared electric mopeds in The Hague. The topic is addressed with a mixed-methods design combining desk research with spatial analysis. Review of municipal and company policy documents indicate conflicting and abstract rules which lack determined spatial parameters. It was found that the dockless model is managed by the geofences drawn by operators, who are making arbitrary decisions over the service coverage areas. Furthermore, the spatial analysis of two dockless shared electric moped operators, Check and Felyx, indicates that sharply different approaches are taken in the mapping of geofences. Based on these results, technological and policy recommendations include that mutual agreements are needed among operators for advancing the geofencing system, and that the state should demand clear rules from providers regarding the parking of e-mopeds, as well as the functions of geographical boundaries drawn. This paper concludes that functionality of dockless micromobility varies among operators as they possess differing GPS systems, definition of geofence types, and stated rules.Show less
This thesis seeks to explore the potential of creative mapping as a psychogeographic research approach to garner an increasingly nuanced understanding of the production of belonging among...Show moreThis thesis seeks to explore the potential of creative mapping as a psychogeographic research approach to garner an increasingly nuanced understanding of the production of belonging among international students in The Hague. Building on the theoretical approach of psychogeography and an avantgarde conception of the urban, as outlined by the Situationist International, this work explores the spatial configuration of belonging. Through collaborative and creative mapping of the mundane and everyday spaces of the urban environment, traces of belonging and home making are explored. The work is studying the subject of international students detached from the university setting and putting it into the context of the urban environment. Through juxtaposing the results of the research with critique put forward by the Situationist International in the 1960s, their contemporary relevance is reinforced. Additionally, the employment of a psychogeographic research approach illustrated the potential of visual methodologies for exploring and representing alternative narratives, subjective perspectives, and embodied experiences.Show less
Green roofs are seen as functional solutions for urban environmental problems. Therefore, they are promoted by urban policies in various ways, as subsidies, indirect financial incentives, in...Show moreGreen roofs are seen as functional solutions for urban environmental problems. Therefore, they are promoted by urban policies in various ways, as subsidies, indirect financial incentives, in technological standards and as performance standards. Since The Hague implemented their green roof subsidy, there is still a lack of popularity among the implementation compared to relatable cities. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the effectiveness of The Hague’s green roof policy to increase green roofs, using a spatial analysis, and a survey as two main methods. Through spatial analysis, the distribution and quantity of green roofs is discussed. This indicates that there is no equal distribution of green roofs, since the center contains fewer green roofs than the outskirts of the center. The survey exposes insight in perceptions of green roofs, among green roof owners, regular roof owners, and citizens who are not able to control their roof. This thesis is also provided with future recommendations for further academic research, and for the municipality to improve their green roof policy.Show less
Cities are expanding and becoming denser resulting in an imbalance of radiation, heat, water, and vegetation present in cities causing a typical urban climate that is warmer than its surrounding...Show moreCities are expanding and becoming denser resulting in an imbalance of radiation, heat, water, and vegetation present in cities causing a typical urban climate that is warmer than its surrounding areas – also known as the Urban Heat Island Effect. The increase in temperature causes the human body to experience thermal discomfort. Heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems minimise the impact of thermal stresses indoors, however, these kinds of systems cause a significant rise in energy consumption and anthropogenic waste heat, resulting in even more pressure on the human body and increasingly rising temperatures in the city. Solutions to mitigate the UHI phenomenon often include large-scale implementation of green-blue structures, however, in dense cities, this is not always possible. Smaller-scaled nature-inclusive and technical solutions that can be implemented at the dimension of individual buildings will be investigated such as cool roofs, green roofs, and underground thermal energy storage. Green, vegetated, roofs appear to be an excellent small-scale solution. The physiological equivalent temperature (PET) of the ten hottest and ten coolest neighbourhoods in The Hague are analysed for the presence of green roofs and roof surface area. Moreover, additional neighbourhood characteristics such as the presence of vegetation in the surroundings and income levels are collected to investigate the suitability of green roof implementation. Based on a statistical analysis there can be concluded that the neighbourhoods experiencing the highest heat stress are the neighbourhoods with the lowest level of green roof coverage while having the highest amount of roof surface area at their disposal. Considering the lower levels of vegetation present and the relatively lower average income in these neighbourhoods, the implementation of green roofs seems an excellent strategy to mitigate the UHI effect in The Hague and dense city neighbourhoods with similar characteristics.Show less
Cities are becoming increasingly hot places to live. This reality is promoted by climate change as well as by Urban Heat Island effects, which in turn promote higher levels of heat stress in urban...Show moreCities are becoming increasingly hot places to live. This reality is promoted by climate change as well as by Urban Heat Island effects, which in turn promote higher levels of heat stress in urban areas. Yet how these heat stress levels are felt across the city is not uniform due to the unequal distribution of public space, vegetation, and coping mechanisms through the city fabric, consequently promoting social vulnerability. Based on the literature and examples from North American cities, the purpose of this thesis is to establish if an unequal distribution of heat stress and consequent social vulnerability occurs in the city of The Hague. To do so, a linear regression was used to establish a relation between income and temperature levels, followed by a mixed methodology approach based on the framework of Harlan et al. (2006) where social conditions, thermal environment and coping mechanisms are analysed. The findings of this research show that in the neighbourhoods of The Hague there is a correlation between income levels and temperatures. Furthermore, low temperatures neighbourhoods follow a trend of high income, high vegetation levels, high coping mechanisms in the public space, and low levels of impervious surface. On the other hand, high-temperature neighbourhoods show lower income levels, low vegetation levels, low coping mechanisms and high levels of impervious surfaces. This scenario shines a light on the social inequality of public spaces through The Hague and draws parallels to the Environmental Justice issues of vulnerability found in the North American Cities. These findings are important for policymaking and the promotion of more integrated approaches between urban planning, urban design, climate mitigation strategies, health officials and the Municipality when proposing interventions at the local level.Show less
Despite their scientific promise, gene editing technologies (GETs) have been subjected to many debates regarding the ethics, politics, and social consequences of genetic modification. This is...Show moreDespite their scientific promise, gene editing technologies (GETs) have been subjected to many debates regarding the ethics, politics, and social consequences of genetic modification. This is largely due to its similarities with old eugenics policies, as well as trends seen in healthcare practice and access for other innovative medical technologies (e.g. geographical practice variations, and socio-economic disparities in access to care and medical innovativeness). Currently taking part in these debates are the scientific community, historians, and ethicists. As such, the public does not yet have a seat at the table, though this is necessary to devise succesful policies and regulations pertinent to the (potential) wider adoption of GETs in the healthcare system. Therefore, this study aims to gauge the public perception on GETs, while accounting for Race and Level of Education. More specifically, this study focusses on the predictiveness of said variables for the degree to which one is accepting of GETs, and to what extent they fear that GETs are discriminatory in nature. This is achieved by means of multiple linear regressions. It was found that Race and Level of Education were insignificantly predictive of acceptance of gene editing technologies (R2 = .002, F(2, 137) = .154, p = .857). Further, they were insignificantly predictive of fear of gene editing technologies being discriminatory (R2 = .036, F(2, 130) = 2.441, p = .091).Show less
This thesis research aims to identify the opportunities and barriers for improving the circularity in citizens’ clothing consumption, focusing on the potentials offered by smart solutions. The...Show moreThis thesis research aims to identify the opportunities and barriers for improving the circularity in citizens’ clothing consumption, focusing on the potentials offered by smart solutions. The research method is a systematic literature review, implemented from a Life Cycle Thinking perspective. This includes reviewing the options to improve resource efficiency in the different stages in the fashion industry. Reviewing the ways that clothing is discarded and disposed of in cities and identifying potential solutions to improve the circularity and resource efficiency of citizens’ clothing consumption. Special attention has been put on the use of smart technology to unlock the circularity potential. Two business cases –Byewaste and MUD Jeans– were drawn upon as the study cases to demonstrate the possibilities. The main findings of the research include the opportunities and environmental barriers for each stage, which are usage of multiple aspects such as, (fresh) water; energy, from unsustainable means, such as coal and oil; toxic chemicals for different processes in each stage; and valuable resources for fibre production, such as cotton, wool, wood, petrochemicals. Byewaste and MUD Jeans, both provide solutions as opportunities to make urban clothing consumption sustainable, and circular, to a certain extent. Urban governance would be able to unlock further barriers, to further facilitate opportunities. Alongside that are the limitations of CE, ethical and social implications of the current fashion industry, and FF that is one of the main drives of urban overconsumption. Finally, suggestions to raise the awareness of citizens for more environmentally friendly clothing consumption are proposed.Show less
Cycling behaviour promotion strategies are becoming contemporary solutions to numerous urban problems, ranging from health, traffic, safety and social inequalities. In the Netherlands, the idea of...Show moreCycling behaviour promotion strategies are becoming contemporary solutions to numerous urban problems, ranging from health, traffic, safety and social inequalities. In the Netherlands, the idea of cycling culture is deeply cemented into the society. By investigating the role of culture on cycling behaviour, specific place-based policies and interventions can be applied to induce cycling behaviour. Previous research showed that cycling uptake is a gradual process and thus this study investigated how cycling behaviour differed across the number of years of residence in the Netherlands of international students. The theory of planned behaviour is commonly used as a means to predict cycling intentions and behaviour. Thus, this thesis has investigated the effect exposure to Dutch culture on the variables of the theory of planned behaviour. A survey was administered among international students in the Netherlands. The results revealed that the number of years of residence in the Netherlands had a non- significant relationship with all the variables, indicating that cycling uptake is not a linear process, but instead one that fluctuates over time, due to a multitude of personal, societal, and infrastructural variables. Additionally, it was identified that the variables of the theory of planned behaviour are correlated with each other. These findings are vital because they contribute to existing literature. Moreover, the obtained results can be utilised by policymakers in the Netherlands to adapt not only soft infrastructural strategies but also to improve the built environment in promoting cycling behaviour for foreigners.Show less
This thesis provides an analysis of the far-right discourse of Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour during the French presidential election of 2022 regarding their image of the city. It also explores the...Show moreThis thesis provides an analysis of the far-right discourse of Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour during the French presidential election of 2022 regarding their image of the city. It also explores the way both leaders, respectively of Le Rassemblement National and Reconquête!, use a negative picture of the city and the suburbs as a tool to increase their political appeal. The research covers the differences between the visions of both parties and the strategy they employ to gain popularity among voters. The main findings are that, first, the issues urban multiculturalism raises in the organisation of cities are used to excuse xenophobic views and justify anti-immigration solutions. Second, both candidates evoke the role of common memory to create division between native French and immigrants. Third, the two far-right candidates use Islamophobic views, supported by the fear of terrorism, to paint a negative image of the suburbs, to further argue that French values are fading. Fourth, both parties use the crime rate present in the “quartiers” to magnify the fear of immigrants and the sense of populism of the French voters. Overall, Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour target an audience that is unfamiliar with urban issues in order to be elected by oversimplifying the problems and solutions to these issues.Show less
