%T FLOATING TOWARDS  THE FUTURE
%X Global challenges including climate change, land scarcity, urbanization put pressure on the existing 
spaces and processes of our society. Simultaneously, offering a window of opportunities for innovations 
to develop in these challenges. Moreover, become part of solving these complex societal challenges. 
Floating structures have the potential to offer functionality in the solutions by providing additional 
functions on water. In this research, the potential of floating structures on the Dutch North Sea was
explored. The research question “What are the opportunities, limitations, and conditions for the 
development of floating structures on the Dutch North Sea, in the upcoming decennium, using insight 
obtained from the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Transition Theory?” was answered through several 
subquastions. Out of a database, which was created for this study, 20 functions a floating structure can 
encompass were identified. Floating structures that have a high potential to diffuse in a social group by 
making use of insights obtained from the Diffusion of Innovation theory were selected by means of a 
grading scheme. Resulting in six functions with a high potential in the Dutch North Sea. Subsequently,
applying Transition Theory to indicate transitions that would provide a supporting development 
environment for floating structures were identified and connected to the six high scoring innovations. In 
other words, the limiting effect the absence of transitions has on the development of floating structures
were analysed. Shortcomings in both theories are surmounted by accepting them and countered by the 
other theory. As a result of this, a total of three functions, food production, energy hub and cyclicity
showed to be high scoring innovations that correlate with ongoing transitions. Subsequently, the 
conditions that are needed for the development of the implementation of floating structures were 
identified through case studies. The conditions are either innovation specific, or specific to the North Sea. 
Including, climate characteristics, stability of the platform, prioritization of interest, regulations, and 
legislation. The conditions are not all factors that can be influenced, it was observed that a key condition
is the level of awareness and knowledge on floating innovations. Adding to the prioritization of interest, a 
SWOT analysis that was drawn up, provides a framework in the decision-making process. Additionally, 
the research is summarized in a flowchart to support decision-makers in the process of considering a 
floating spatial intervention like floating structures.
%A Kornelis Kramer
%D 2022
%L theses_frw3760