Kamminga, O.R.J. (2020) Incorporation of identity discourses in newly amalgamated municipalities: insights in Het Hogeland, the Netherlands. Master thesis.
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Abstract
Pressure on public services is increasing due to an ageing population and the continuing process of urbanization. Scale enlargement and redistribution of responsibilities through municipal mergers is often proposed as solution. However, municipal mergers are frequently met with resistance based on rational-economic and/or sociocultural objections. By means of a multi-staged mixed method approach this thesis studies the role of identity discourses in newly amalgamated municipalities. First, analysis of a case study in the municipality Het Hogeland show that the region is a site of collective memory. To embed to the new municipal configuration in historical and cultural narratives, rooted notions like Hogeland and Hunsingo have been actively used by the municipality. Second, incorporation of regional identity played a small yet significant role in the merger process. Active mobilization of shared cultural and historical narratives contributed to the legitimization and acceptance of the Hogeland merger. Involvement of local communities in the merger decision-making process and re-bordering of areas with mismatching identities has been instrumental in this process. Finally, the Hogeland case potentially exemplifies how municipal mergers can facilitate the construction of new meaningful regions.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Cultural Geography: Tourism Geography & Planning (track) |
| Supervisor: | Stoffelen, H.J.W. |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Jul 2020 12:37 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Jul 2020 12:37 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3225 |
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