Sound Soils is a practice-oriented research initiative aimed at exploring opportunities for musicians to contribute to rural life in the Northern Netherlands, with a specific emphasis on participatory music practices. Grounded in Participatory Action Research methodology and ethnographic forms of data …

This thesis focuses on optimising the emptying process of water storage facilities in urban areas, and was conducted during my graduate internship at Waterfeit Adviseurs. The study is based on the need to improve the efficiency of the system, as current systems frequently lead to floods and ineffective …

Green gas is an attractive option for a local energy transition to combat climate change, notably in rural communities. As local initiatives require local acceptance, the study used a questionnaire methodology to capture opinions and intentions toward green gas in a panel of rural respondents (N = 403) …

Groningen has beautiful landscapes, a rich diversity in green and blue areas and lovely villages. However, some recent changes such as demographic changes (e.g. outmigration of youngsters for different reasons) may become threats to the quality of life in these areas. Quality of public spaces, their …

An emerging body of research indicates that active arts engagement can enhance older adults’ health and experienced well‐being, but scientific evidence is still fragmented. There is a research gap in understanding arts engagement grounded in a multidimensional conceptualization of the value of health …

It is of utmost importance to collect organic waste from households as a separate waste stream. If collected separately, it could be used optimally to produce compost and biogas, it would not pollute fractions of materials that can be recovered from residual waste streams and it would not deteriorate …

Citizens’ initiatives are believed to be a suitable alternative approach to service provision, especially in rural areas where services and facilities are under pressure because of depopulation and the decentralization measures of the state. To date, research has mainly focused on successful examples …

The Northern region of the Netherlands has beautiful landscapes, a nice diversity of green and blue areas, and dispersed settlements. However, some recent population changes can become threats to health and wellbeing in these areas. The rural areas in the three northern provinces - Groningen, Friesland …

Background: All countries are affected by one or more forms of malnutrition. 90 Percent of chronically malnourished children in developing countries live in Africa and Asia. India accounts for more than three in ten stunted children worldwide. Recent evidence shows that one in four children in India …

Rural communities in the Netherlands experiencing (selective) population decline in recent years focused on concentrating services / facilities within te boundaries of their own communities. In order to prepare for a future in which the consequences of (selective) population decline are felt even stronger …