Veenstra, Y.J. (2021) Exploring the current state of citizen participation in Smart Energy City Groningen. Bachelor thesis.
|
Text
Assignment 7 - Ytsen Veenstra.pdf Download (648kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Smart city planning is an important and frequently recurring concept in contemporary city planning. Cities aim at sustainable development using smart innovations while monitoring the city. Hereby, it is essential to let citizens actively participate. Citizen participation is complex and mostly unsuccessful, even in leading smart cities. Groningen too puts itself on the map as smart city: Smart Energy City Groningen. This research explores the current state of participation, as there is little to be found about citizen participation in Groningen other than in municipal policy documents. It does this by reviewing policy documents, conducting a survey amongst citizens of Groningen and interviewing Grunneger Power, partner in the smart energy transition of Groningen. The results suggest measures to stimulate citizen participation in Groningen. This research points out that citizens do not feel well-represented and their knowledge, and thus the communication from the municipality, is not optimal. A lot can be gained from citizen participation, as citizens indicate to be willing to share their ideas and to participate in smart city projects. To improve the current situation, Smart Energy City Groningen should focus on the development into a creative smart city in which participation is more accessible. While there is room for improvement on local strategies, a part of the problem seems to come from a lack in international regulations, caused by the smart ambitions of Groningen which are ahead of the national situation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Spatial Planning and Design |
| Supervisor: | Puerari, E. |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Feb 2021 12:53 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Feb 2021 12:53 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3423 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |