Siebert, Thalina (2023) Ecovillages and their surrounding community: Exploring the extent to which the interaction can solve urgent sustainability issues. Master thesis.
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Abstract
Researchers have recently emphasized the need for changes in lifestyles and consumption patterns due to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Overconsumption and unsustainable practices have led to consequences such as biodiversity loss, deforestation, and climate change. Addressing these issues requires changing individual behaviours and transforming society as a whole. Citizens’ initiatives have emerged, including ecovillages, which are seen as frontrunners in sustainable solutions across various domains due to their holistic approach. Ecovillages are consciously designed communities that aim to regenerate their social and natural environments through sustainable practices. They often collaborate with local governments, engage with the broader public, and work towards a more sustainable future. Due to the knowledge gap in understanding the interactions between ecovillages and the wider public, this research aims to explore how this interaction can solve urgent sustainability issues. The eco-cooperative Woldwijk in Ten Boer in the Netherlands was chosen as a case study, and 10 interviews were held with residents of Woldwijk and Ten Boer. Additionally, observations and content analysis were conducted to gain deeper insights into the context of the interactions. The main findings of this study demonstrate that the interaction between the ecovillage Woldwijk and Ten Boer is crucial for gaining local support and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the ecovillage. The activities organized by Woldwijk, such as workshops and events, have brought locals and ecovillagers together. Still, there is potential to enhance and diversify these activities. The interactions between Woldwijk and the local community have improved over time. However, there are still existing preconceptions that can hinder interactions. Woldwijk has influenced sustainability awareness among locals, but the impact on sustainable behaviour may depend on individual interests and external influences. Based on the findings, recommendations for future research include conducting an evaluation study to assess the robustness of the interaction between Woldwijk and Ten Boer, exploring the impact of ecovillages on the sustainable behaviour of the wider community, and investigating the spillover effects of sustainable practices learned through participation in ecovillage activities. For Woldwijk, recommendations include developing a guideline with sustainability goals to create a shared understanding of their objectives, implementing an evaluation form for activities to gather feedback and improve future events, and actively participating in sustainability activities organized by Dorpsbelangen Ten Boer to strengthen collaboration and demonstrate their commitment to the local community.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Society, Sustainability and Planning (MSc Socio-spatial Planning) |
| Supervisor: | Trell-Zuidema, E.M. |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Sep 2023 07:20 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Sep 2023 07:20 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4363 |
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