This thesis explores some of the narratives, and strands of thinking influencing rural development and revitalization efforts today. Following qualitative interviews with relevant experts and...Show moreThis thesis explores some of the narratives, and strands of thinking influencing rural development and revitalization efforts today. Following qualitative interviews with relevant experts and practitioners from three case studies, five different narratives were uncovered through thematic analysis: Lifestyle Migration, Landscape Restoration, Biocultural Heritage, Rural Equity, and Agricultural Innovation. Each narrative was described in terms of its distinct concerns, knowledge bases, change concepts, and desired outcomes to offer a comparison between their approaches and worldviews. Rather than providing a definitive account of the different strands of thinking in rural development, this investigation offers a detailed account of the perspectives and narratives influencing rural development to help practitioners and policymakers better understand opposing perspectives, ultimately aiding in the process of coalitions and consensus buildingShow less
The prevalence of mental health disorders in urban areas is increasing due to the exposure to environmental stressors. Research has shown that sensory urban design interventions can have positive...Show moreThe prevalence of mental health disorders in urban areas is increasing due to the exposure to environmental stressors. Research has shown that sensory urban design interventions can have positive impacts on mental health and well-being. This research paper aims to investigate how TU Delft students experience sensory design interventions on campus and how these interventions can contribute to improving mental health and well-being among students in Dutch cities. The study was conducted using a qualitative and observational research design and data was collected through a questionnaire composed of multiple-choice and open questions. The research suggested that environments that include sensory design interventions, such as the TU Delft campus library, the botanical garden and Pulse, positively impacted the students’ mental health and well-being. Furthermore, several themes were discovered that played a big role in the sensory experience of the participants. These themes were availability, comfort, aesthetics, noise levels and light. The results provide insights for urban planners to implement sensory urbanism on other campuses and decrease mental health problems among students in Dutch cities. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory urban design interventions in urban planning to improve the mental health and well-being of city residents.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
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
Cities have grown rapidly in recent decades. Several studies have related multiple mental and physical health issues with urban density and perceived safety, related to the increasing urbanization....Show moreCities have grown rapidly in recent decades. Several studies have related multiple mental and physical health issues with urban density and perceived safety, related to the increasing urbanization. Studies have established a relationship with urban density and perceived safety with light physical activity as well. However, few researchers to date have specifically focused on the potential association between both factors and regular physical exercise. The current study examined the association of urban density and perceived safety with the quantity and quality of exercise. A population-representative sample (N=124) was surveyed on their quantity of exercise, quality of exercise, experiences regarding urban density, and perceived safety. All four factors were compared to assess relations between the measures. Furthermore, various demographic and density-related subgroups (gender, residency type, and square living space) were selected to assess differences and alternative explanations. Results found associations between all measures, apart from the relation between the quantity of exercise and urban density. Regarding the subgroups, a difference was found between genders and their perceived safety; men felt safer than women. The difference in perceived safety suggested that gender could be a factor related to the quantity and quality of exercise. No differences in urban density, exercise quantity, or quality were found among both residency types and square living spaces; suggesting that both subgroups are not likely to be relevant for the associations of urban density and safety with exercise. More focus should be put on specific measures of the urban environment instead of the home environment. Given the increasing urbanization, more specific research is necessary to better understand the relation between urban density, perceived safety, and regular exercise.Show less
