@unpublished{theses_frw4682,
            year = {2024},
           title = {Who owns the place? A case study on negative emotions evoked by renewable energy projects in the Meeden Area, Groningen},
          author = {Charlotte Breunis},
             url = {https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4682/},
        abstract = {In the Meeden Area in Groningen Province, the implementation of renewable energy 
projects has evoked strong emotional reactions in inhabitants, revealing the complex 
dynamics of community support for renewable energy projects. In this thesis, I analyzed the 
Meeden Area case study to investigate what explains inhabitants? negative emotions in 
spatial transformations for renewable energy projects and how these negative emotions 
could be mobilized for better socio-spatial outcomes. I reviewed this case through the lens of  
path dependency, institutional capacity, and feminist political ecology. I used event sequence 
analysis and participant observation methods including, direct observations, immediate 
experiences, semi-structured interviews, and document and media analysis, focusing on 
Provincie Groningen for the expert perspective and Co{\"o}peratie Eekerpolder representing the 
viewpoint of local inhabitants. My analysis uncovered that inhabitants? negative emotions 
may be explained by a generational trauma of government involvement,  the dominant role 
of expert technical knowledge in policy making, and the inadequacy of community 
involvement methods. I conclude that path dependency has created a lock-in where local 
communities were overruled by dominant government structures using top-down governance 
and their power to mobilize. Moreover, the current institutional capacity of Provincie 
Groningen is insufficient to bridge the gap in knowledge and relational resources between 
inhabitants and government, although involved individuals are aware of the importance of 
bridging this gap. To mobilize inhabitants? negative emotions, the feminist political 
ecology-perspective could be applied to the start of a spatial transformation to facilitate 
genuine participation and equality. I recommend that future planning practices and research 
focus not only on the technical and regulatory aspects of spatial transformations but 
incorporate emotional processes to prevent unnecessary harmful effects.}
}