Breunis, Charlotte (2024) Who owns the place? A case study on negative emotions evoked by renewable energy projects in the Meeden Area, Groningen. Master thesis.
|
Text
C.Breunis-MasterThesis-FinalVersion-July2024.pdf Download (11MB) | Preview |
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 Coöperatie 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.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Turhan, E. |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Aug 2024 09:03 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Aug 2024 09:03 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4682 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |