Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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The head of the Nusantara National Capital Authority, Bambang Susantono, stated that Nusantara is going to be “Indonesia’s Smart and Sustainable Forest City”. This thesis will analyze the ‘smart’...Show moreThe head of the Nusantara National Capital Authority, Bambang Susantono, stated that Nusantara is going to be “Indonesia’s Smart and Sustainable Forest City”. This thesis will analyze the ‘smart’ and ‘sustainable’ connotations of this statement, arguing that they will produce unequal participation in the flow migration between the old and new capital. To make my argument, I will link the concept of environmental vulnerability to the flooding policies in Jakarta and relate this to the envisioned migration to NusantaraShow less
This research explores how Rotterdam communicates stakeholder roles and responsibility within the city’s sustainability strategy. Building on stakeholder theory and research about participation in...Show moreThis research explores how Rotterdam communicates stakeholder roles and responsibility within the city’s sustainability strategy. Building on stakeholder theory and research about participation in sustainability transitions, a qualitative research using a content analysis was conducted. Two municipal publications were examined with to analyze contexts in which different stakeholders were mentioned. The results indicate that the municipality sees sustainability as an issue concerning everyone and therefore, tries to create the feeling of a shared responsibility between inhabitants, companies and the municipality as the main stakeholders in the city’s sustainability transition.Show less
One of the approaches for The Netherlands to reduce CO2 emissions is reducing homeowners' gas consumption to counter the adverse effects of global warming (Clémençon, 2016; Luttikhuis, 2020)....Show moreOne of the approaches for The Netherlands to reduce CO2 emissions is reducing homeowners' gas consumption to counter the adverse effects of global warming (Clémençon, 2016; Luttikhuis, 2020). Looking into the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Azjen,1991) and Goal Setting Theory (Latham & Lock, 2013), we argued that means information (i.e., information about the goal and means to achieve that goal) would affect intention towards disconnecting from the gas grid, attitude and motivational perceived behavioural control (MPBC) more positively than only communicating the goal information. The survey study (N = 305) tested three conditions: no information, goal information condition, and means information condition. This research supports the expectation that attitude, MPBC, Capacity perceived behavioural control (CPBC), and subjective norms have a positive association regarding the intention to disconnect households from the gas grid. Additionally, a new distinction between a motivational component (MPBC) and a physical component (CPBC) within Perceived Behavioural Control for TPB is discussed. No effect was found of type of information on attitude, MPBC and intention, suggesting that the manipulation was ineffective. A suggestion for follow-up research is to provide tailored information. This study provides guidelines for the Dutch government and municipalities to understand what they can focus on to increase the intention for the energy transition that is still in its infancy for many homeowners.Show less
This article utilizes the artworks of Daan Roosegaarde to show how the arts can be appropriated as meaningful reflexity tools to contribute in closing the gap between ecocentrism and technocentrism...Show moreThis article utilizes the artworks of Daan Roosegaarde to show how the arts can be appropriated as meaningful reflexity tools to contribute in closing the gap between ecocentrism and technocentrism in the current sustainability debate. By first analysing the two contrasting worldviews of Idealism (ecocentrism) and Conformism (technocentrism) – inherent in the sustainability discourse – it is shown that we currently adhere to the ideals of the latter to tackle all of the pressing environmental issues our anthropogenic world is faced with. Hereafter, I propose complex thinking as a possible way to overcome this divide, and utilize the theories of social scientists Sasha Kagan and Hans Dielemans to suggest the arts as a way of establishing an all-encompassing approach towards sustainability. Sasha Kagan’s system-thinking is used to articulate the bigger picture of sustainability approaches – which is not solely science infused and emphasizes interconnectedness. However, added to this is the theory of Hans Dielemans, through which such an understanding is suggested as a means to instigate a cultural shift by reflecting on our own behaviour and practices. Subsequently, this framework is applied to several case studies of the Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde to show how his artworks appeal to human reflective capacity, rehabilitate the human–nature relationship, and offer the possibility of a middle ground between ecocentrism and technocentrism.Show less
Costa Rica has set ambitious goals regarding climate issues. It strives to be carbon neutral in 2021, and aims to completely decarbonize their economy by 2050. The state of the transport and...Show moreCosta Rica has set ambitious goals regarding climate issues. It strives to be carbon neutral in 2021, and aims to completely decarbonize their economy by 2050. The state of the transport and infrastructure in Costa Rica are therefore a thorn in the side for both civil society and policymakers. In light of the issues in this sector the government has formulated several policies with the goal to transform the transport sector, creating a clean, efficient and safe system of transport and infrastructure. Some of these policies will be discussed in this thesis, namely the Plan de Descarbonización 2018-2050, the Plan Integral de Movilidad Urbana Sostenible, and the Plan Nacional de Transporte 2011-2035. The focus of this thesis will be on the mechanisms behind these policies. As such, some key questions that will be addressed are: how is the policymaking process designed? Who are the actors in this process? What institutions are involved and how is coordination shaped? Where lie the biggest challenges in the implementation of these policies? As it currently is, the transport sector suffers from high degrees of fragmentation, with many institutions involved and no clear leadership. It is a very interesting subject for study, as these mechanisms are the foundations on which the implementation of the policy builds. Without proper understanding of the interactions and challenges that one is faced with in this sector, effective implementation of the policies, and therefore the reaching of the climate goals becomes less feasible. . The facilitation of the implementation of the plans through institutional transformation is argued to be the absolute priority for the achievement of the goals and objectives as proposed in the policies that will be discussed in this thesis. The expectation is that the Costa Rican public administration for the transport sector will require a comprehensive reform, and as it stands it lacks the capacity to push for such reform. In the first chapter of this thesis the conceptual and theoretical basis for the analysis of the transport sector will be laid. Here the concepts of the public policy process in Latin America, Neo-institutionalism, and Public-Private Partnerships will be discussed and put into perspective of how they can be used to analyse the Costa Rican transport and infrastructure sector. The second chapter will offer the contextualization of the topic of study. The chapter is organised chronologically and starts with the economic crisis of the 1980s in Costa Rica. The chapter then continues to address the state reform during the 1980s and 1990s, followed by the developments of the past twenty years. It concludes with a brief overview of the current situation and policies in the transport and infrastructure sector. The third and final chapter’s focus will be the analysis of the policies discussed using the concepts as discussed in the first chapter, looking into the mechanisms behind these policies and the actors involved in the process. The chapter starts with an analysis of the policy process, followed by an analysis of the role and functioning of the institutions involved. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the use of public-private partnerships and the challenges the public administration if faced with regarding coordination between the sectors.Show less
Nowadays, tourism has grown into one of the largest industries worldwide being one of the major sources for income and jobs. There is barely a place left untouched by its forces and with the...Show moreNowadays, tourism has grown into one of the largest industries worldwide being one of the major sources for income and jobs. There is barely a place left untouched by its forces and with the prospects of increasing wealth, free time, and accessibility of travelling opportu-nities, predictions for the future tell us that the visitor economy will remain to grow in the coming years as well. Although it brings many opportunities for destinations, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Discussions regarding tourism are on the rise, as negative effects from tourism are experienced more often. Heritage forms an integral part within this debate since it is a major pull effect for tourists to travel to a destination in the first place. Assuming that heritage does not possess any intrinsic qualities, but is constructed by the use and experience of heritage by people, this means that tourism has the force to transform heritage as well, as tourism is a specific way in which heritage is experienced and interacted with. At the root of these experiences and practices, stands a given heritage discourse and the value system that constructs it. It is, therefore, necessary to examine how the discourse of heritage is constructed, how this causes how people interact with heritage via tourism, and what this tells us how people value heritage in a given context.Because of the discrepancies that tourism creates, I examine possible solutions for these issues by using a sustainability lens, and to evaluate if a sustainable approach can contribute to a healthier tourism management. In addition, I explore how heritage discourse plays into this process, and how it can contribute to sustainable outcomes, both in tourism and heritage management. With this premise in mind, I have taken Amsterdam as case study, as it is one of the major contemporary tourist destinations in the world in which discussions regarding tourism have taken a prominent position in the public discourse. I have looked at a top-down approach, put out by the municipality of Amsterdam named Stad in Balans, in which they have formulated their management strategy for tourism for the coming years. In addition, I have studied a bottom-up initiative called The Untourist Guide to Amsterdam, which is a recently founded movement inspired by practices of crea-tive tourism. By looking at both models, an overview will be given on how sustainability can play a part in tourism and its interaction with heritage, and how the discourse of herit-age can add to the sustainability in how it favors certain values and excludes others.Show less
In the face of complex and interrelated ecological and social sustainability crises, the outstanding responsibilities of Western industrial nations are frequently underlined. As political awareness...Show moreIn the face of complex and interrelated ecological and social sustainability crises, the outstanding responsibilities of Western industrial nations are frequently underlined. As political awareness for these crises has arguably increased in the past decade, political language concerning them has too. However, altered discourses have not led to more sustainable and just policies. The world, and most importantly the largely responsible industrial states, continue to fail in combatting and mitigating global ecological and social hardhships. This thesis uses the young critical theoritcal body of Postcolonial Ecocriticism to scrutinise political discourses of Austrian and German political parties, revealing underlying attitudes and motives regarding sustainability politics, which might explain this inability or unwillingness for counteractions. Finally, it concludes that majorities in both countries show concerningly ignorant and uncritical crisis perceptions. In fact, the analysed parties' discourses often do not reflect the severity and complexity of global crises, and frequently neglect and perpetuate existing exploitative dynamics.Show less
This thesis investigates the sustainability and benefits of Sino-Turkish cooperation within the Turkish energy and transport sectors. Through the application of concepts such as "energy security"...Show moreThis thesis investigates the sustainability and benefits of Sino-Turkish cooperation within the Turkish energy and transport sectors. Through the application of concepts such as "energy security" and "environmentally sustainable transport" the research results can be presented coherently along firm boundaries. Increasing Chinese influence seems to be beneficial for Turkey to achieve its 2023 goals of becoming an important energy and transport hub. However, the aspired ecological sustainability of the cooperation is endangered through the use of traditional sources of energy and transport.Show less
Uganda is one of the most important coffee producing countries in Africa with coffee making up the highest percentage of its export revenues. However, coffee producers in the country often have...Show moreUganda is one of the most important coffee producing countries in Africa with coffee making up the highest percentage of its export revenues. However, coffee producers in the country often have relatively low living standards and face various challenges including low income, dependence on the volatility of international coffee prices, gender inequality and environmental degradation. Fair trade was founded with the aspiration to mitigate these challenges and to enhance producers living standards. While it has had some success with counterbalancing coffee price fluctuation and increasing farmers’ income, it has not achieved significant results in terms of reducing gender inequality or protecting the environment.Show less
This research provides a comparison and analysis of the economic growth in China and Vietnam with a focus on the environmental aspect so that Vietnam can learn from China's experiences. The...Show moreThis research provides a comparison and analysis of the economic growth in China and Vietnam with a focus on the environmental aspect so that Vietnam can learn from China's experiences. The research found four key aspects important for environmental-friendly economic growth. The first aspect is environmental policies, which need the right implementation and enforcement to work properly. The second aspect is the energy mix, that needs to be diverse with enough forms of renewable energy. With the share of renewable energy growing in the mix, both the energy demand and the environment will benefit. The third aspect FDI raises the human capital level, which has a positive effect on innovation of production processes and a sustainable economy. Lastly, there is ASEAN which promotes regional cooperation in the field of environmental sustainability, to tackle regional cross-border problems. The right implementation of these four aspects is the key to environmentally friendly growth in Vietnam.Show less
Rising concerns of climate change and environmental degradation is an increasing issue globally. In order to counter global warming and climate change, renewable energy is regarded as the key...Show moreRising concerns of climate change and environmental degradation is an increasing issue globally. In order to counter global warming and climate change, renewable energy is regarded as the key driver. Despite an abundance of renewable energy resources in Indonesia, the country has only marginally seen growth in this sector. The purpose of this research is to examine why Indonesia has been reluctant to transition towards renewable energy by taking the nexus of economic growth and (renewable) energy into account, as well as the various stakeholders that are related to Indonesia’s renewable energy sector. Using qualitative research methods, this study analyses Indonesia as a case study in order to effectively comprehend this multidimensional issue. It closely aligns with the assemblage theory in order to create a better understanding of various interests, fractions, rivalries, synergies and contradictions between the stakeholders in Indonesia’s renewable energy sector. Powerful stakeholders that have demote renewables, political ‘short-termism’ and social factors (that have negative effects on inflows of FDI) were found to play the greatest obstacles in facilitating the transition towards renewable energy development. Furthermore, this study adds to the debate regarding renewable energy development and economic growth.Show less
The concept of Sustainable Development is increasingly used in development policies. Still, it remains questionable whether sustainable development is feasible in reality. Since a few years, China...Show moreThe concept of Sustainable Development is increasingly used in development policies. Still, it remains questionable whether sustainable development is feasible in reality. Since a few years, China aims to be leading in sustainable development. Their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could secure that leading role at a global scale. Nonetheless, many scholars argue that this project is far from sustainable. Others refute this criticism and state that the BRI has the most potential for sustainable development. This thesis aims to investigate this debate by answering the following question: To what extent is ecologically sustainable development implemented within the Chinese BRI Railroad projects in Sub-Saharan African Countries? A qualitative data analysis (small-N) will answer this question. The conditions of sustainable development will be compared to practice by studying three railroad projects. This thesis will view sustainable development through an ecological lens with a focus on Strong Sustainability. This thesis analyses how the projects relate to the criteria of Strong Sustainability: protecting and promoting biodiversity, sustainable water management and carbon emission reductions. The results show that the SGR projects do attribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Still, they could have done more to make the project genuinely sustainable; a lot of environmental concerns remain unaddressed within the projects. Therefore, these projects cannot be labelled as ecologically sustainable under the criteria of Strong Sustainability.Show less
This thesis discusses the conservation efforts in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, with a specific focus on community-based conservation (CBC). In the theoretical framework, three main conservation...Show moreThis thesis discusses the conservation efforts in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, with a specific focus on community-based conservation (CBC). In the theoretical framework, three main conservation discourses are discussed in order to provide a better focus. The second chapter provides a historical and political background, before exploring the two specific case studies of Burunge and Makame Wildlife Management Areas.Show less
Research master thesis | Asian Studies (research) (MA)
open access
On the 17th of April 2019, Indonesia held the general elections. The President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”) won 55,5% of the vote, beating the former general Prabowo Subianto representing Gerindra Party...Show moreOn the 17th of April 2019, Indonesia held the general elections. The President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”) won 55,5% of the vote, beating the former general Prabowo Subianto representing Gerindra Party for the second time, the first in 2014. Less than two weeks after the victory, the re-elected President announced its intention to relocate the nation's capital from Jakarta, located in Java island, to a greenfield site on the island of Kalimantan. In this thesis, I use Twitter communication emanating from the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning and the office of the President to dissect the official rationale for this historic initiative and to investigate on the political and ideological discourse surrounding it. What is the Indonesian government trying to achieve through this project? What ideals and political priorities does it reflect? Is there consistency in the official discourse? My analysis is both quantitative and qualitative; it is quantitative because I used large numbers of tweets to measure the frequency which a variety of terms is used to describe both the desirable characteristics of the new capital, and the undesirable aspects of the old one. It is partly qualitative because I investigated and critically reflected on the results found on Twitter to understand better the motifs behind the decision of moving the capital, and be able to answer my research questions. The results show that Jakarta has been abandoned because it does not represent the Indonesian aspirations of modernity, reflected on the smart, sustainable and green imaginaries that the new capital will promote. Indeed, the tweet analysis revealed that these three elements are the most desirable features for the new capital of Indonesia and are the emblem of the type of modernity and progress that the Indonesian government is aspiring to. This is confirmed by the fact that the mentions to smart, green and sustainable are not clear nor justified. These terms appear to be used as buzzwords, almost as if it they were interchangeable. In conclusion, I argue that these features are all instrumental for expressing modernity and progress (Maju). This is the real objective of the government. “The city of dreams”, as I renamed it, imagines a flawless and perfect city, symbol of the progress of the whole country; the truth is that it is only a symbol, and the country will not progress in smartness, greenness, sustainability and equality if not through real policies and measures that tackle the local problems. Besides these attributes, the government claimed that the new capital would bring to more regional equality and economic growth. In this regard, the Indonesian government has also tweeted about Brasilia and its similarities with the new Indonesian capital, praising the design and the outcome of the project; like Brasilia, the new capital is seen as a means to cope with ongoing economic imbalance among the different regions of Indonesia. Although regional equality is, of course, an issue that the government needs to tackle, the increase of GDP outside Java will not benefit the whole population unless there is a real will to tackle inequality not only geographically but also across income groups. Besides, it is essential to remember that the gap between the rich and the poor in Jakarta is substantial and moving the capital will not represent a solution to this problem. Furthermore, the comparison with Brasilia was fundamental to notice a crucial vii paradox in the project of Ibu Kota Baru: by promoting a modern and futuristic capital, Ibu Kota Baru implicitly indicates a refusal of existing conditions of Indonesia, just as like Brasilia did. To conclude, it is important to mention that this thesis is about ideology. In essence, it does not seek to analyse the hidden personal interests and oligarchic business strategies on the project of the capital, although this has been briefly pointed out. The ultimate aim is to dissect the official rhetoric and rationale that surround this project to find the political ideals and desirable features that the project reflects, and inconsistencies in the discourse.Show less
