In scientific literature, noise and noise annoyance are almost inseparable. While different environmental noise sources can cause various responses, the most common reaction to noise is irritation....Show moreIn scientific literature, noise and noise annoyance are almost inseparable. While different environmental noise sources can cause various responses, the most common reaction to noise is irritation. Several studies have focused on one aspect of noise annoyance, such as attitudes or health. However, a comprehensive picture of factors contributing to noise annoyance is not drafted yet, so this study aims to fill that gap. The study was conducted remotely for ten consecutive days in the daily life of 32 participants. It consisted of two main tasks: (1) wearing an activity tracker and (2) submitting flyover events into the NLR study app. We hypothesised that healthy coping mechanisms would predict lower reported noise annoyance and that predictors of higher reported noise annoyance are more negative attitudes, prevalent unhealthy coping habits, perceived louder and higher-pitched flyovers, and perceived lengthier flyover events. The main questionnaires analysed in this study to test the hypotheses were the ICBEN 11-point scale, BriefCOPE and the attitude component from the NORAH study. Attitudes and coping mechanisms are not verified as predictors in this study. The results do imply that subjective volume, subjective pitch, and subjective duration of a flyover event are good predictors of reported noise annoyance. Further research is needed to explore how subjective volume, pitch, and exposure duration as intervention targets can help reduce aircraft noise disruptions in individuals that live in affected areas.Show less
The continent of Africa has a massive deficit in infrastructure, which is a bottleneck for the continent's economic development. To overcome this deficit, Africa needs to invest heavily in its...Show moreThe continent of Africa has a massive deficit in infrastructure, which is a bottleneck for the continent's economic development. To overcome this deficit, Africa needs to invest heavily in its infrastructure. The current road and rail networks are insufficient to cope with the increasing demand, and, taking into consideration the vast distances on the African continent, it is essential for Africa to develop aviation. With a developed domestic aviation market, China is stepping up to help with this task as it is expanding its global presence due to growing welfare and demand for resources and markets. This research aims to find out how African aviation benefits from this cooperation. The following research question has been drawn up for this purpose: How much does the Chinese drive for expansion contribute to the African aviation market? Case studies were carried out to answer this research question. These case studies have shed light on the partnership between China and Africa. It also shows which lessons can be learned from China. Based on these findings, it can be said that China's expansion is making a positive contribution to improving and expanding the African aviation sector as a whole.Show less
This thesis outlines how Aircraft construction brings and pulls European nations together. The case studies used in this thesis are Airbus and the Eurofighter, to illustrate how non-state actors,...Show moreThis thesis outlines how Aircraft construction brings and pulls European nations together. The case studies used in this thesis are Airbus and the Eurofighter, to illustrate how non-state actors, of technicians, scientists and engineers interact amongst each other, during the process of building the aircraft. This thesis hopes to add in to the argument of how one could approach European integration without the necessary focus of politically tied institutions such as the 'EU' itself, but to offer an another view point, on how non-state actors through the construction of an aircraft brings European countries together.Show less
