Pieter van Hall

Food is an important part of many peoples' lives. It is one of the reasons why my first column was devoted to a simple idea to reduce wood waste. During the last few months, I have been trying to slowly improve my diet and to become a more sustainable eater. Many people do not see that their eating patterns and food choices have a huge impact on the environment. Since we do a lot of research…

I've heard about plastic soups floating in the ocean for many times now. Since last month, my roommates and I  have started separating waste as much as we can to contribute to a more sustainable world. Earlier, we would occasionally find a small glass jar in the garbage bag, accompanied by paper, plastic and sometimes even a battery. Now, we separate plastics, paper, glass, batteries and more. To…

There is a huge inequality in the world that we know. Where we are blessed by the many chances and opportunities we get, whilst others are severely limited in their opportunities. Well, how does this relate to sustainability? We all strive for equal living chances in the world. If we then take a look at our current ecological footprint, and multiply this style of living according to the number of…

I can imagine what the Texelaars thought when they heard about a bunch of students from Delft University of Technology would come to Texel, and think of different ways that the island could become more sustainable. They assumed to be given sheets filled with data and calculations, showing where new technologies would be implemented, and how much kWh this would provide for Texel, showing disregard…

In my previous column, I wrote that technology by itself can never make our world sustainable, but that there has to be a social change as well. Within current companies, there is often the idea that it is very difficult or expensive to become more sustainable. Similar to small communities it is crucial to start bottom-up, instead of top-down to become successful. I heard about an interesting…

Survey questionnaire (Dutch) Enquête Leef kwaliteit Dit is een enquête opgezet door TU Delft studenten voor het vak Engineering voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling. Deze enquête heeft als doel om de relatie tussen huidige duurzame waardes en huidige levenstevredenheid beoordelen. Deze informatie zal alleen voor wetenschappelijke doelen gebruikt worden.   Persoonlijke informatie Leeftijd:          …

The research methodology used to generate the ideas and insights presented in the previous chapters was based on literature review, news and interviews with experts related to sustainability transitions and initiatives. The final stage of the process included on-site research: experiencing and having contact with Texel and its people. For the sub-system of Health, Happiness and Well-being, it…

Many people rely on technology to solve environmental problems all over the world. This can be attributed to an almost universal reluctance to deal with the social and political changes that would be necessary to reduce production and consumption. This poses the most important question: Can Technological change reduce the impact of economic development sufficiently to ensure that other types of…

Survey questionnaire (Dutch) Enquête Leef kwaliteit Dit is een enquête opgezet door TU Delft studenten voor het vak Engineering voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling. Deze enquête heeft als doel om de relatie tussen huidige duurzame waardes en huidige levenstevredenheid beoordelen. Deze informatie zal alleen voor wetenschappelijke doelen gebruikt worden.   Persoonlijke informatie Leeftijd:          …

After spending nearly a week on Texel, many conclusions can be drawn related to the Health, Happiness and Well-being sub-system's research and the design worked during the previous weeks. The researchers were surprised of the many different initiatives related to sustainability already present in the island. Consequently, many of these initiatives which hadn't been found previously became part of…

The research methodology used to generate the ideas and insights presented in the previous chapters was based on literature review, news and interviews with experts related to sustainability transitions and initiatives. The final stage of the process included on-site research: experiencing and having contact with Texel and its people. For the sub-system of Health, Happiness and Well-being, it…

In order to design a proper sustainable transition, it is necessary to gather information regarding the main differences between the current state of the sub-system and the sustainable vision set for the future. It was stated that, due to Texel’s vision of becoming self-sustainable by 2020, sustainability is a trend topic in Texel’s society and cooperation from the community is needed in order to…

What is the current socio-technical sub-system and its functions? The socio-technical system is an extended version of Nelson and Winter’s (1982) technological regime, which referred to shared cognitive routines in an engineering community and explained patterned development along ‘technological trajectories’. Sociologists of technology eventually broadened this explanation, arguing that…

The overall outcome of the Health, Happiness and Well-being subsystem is to ensure an improvement of the life quality of Texelaars and visitors reflected in more happy and healthy lifestyles among inhabitants and the share of such habits by visitors. In order to achieve this goal, the need to joint efforts with the other sub-systems in the Texel system was recognized to ensure all initiatives’…

Introduction Action plans for sustainability implies a balance between current development of society, economy and environment, and the chance to give the same opportunities to future generations. Moreover, these plans require a transition to less materialistic values and lifestyles in communities. Happiness is included as one of those values that can be beneficial for sustainability, and is…

Proposal for a pathway to realize the sub-system in 2065, and an action agenda for 2020 to initiate transition towards a sustainable sub-system.   In this chapter, the actions that are needed to reach the set goals for the future sub-system are set up into a timeframe of specific actions. Firstly, a short analysis will be presented regarding the key conclusions from the previous analysis that…

What is the future sociotechnical sub-system and its functions? The advantage of looking at socio-technical systems is that the co-evolution of technology and society, of form and function becomes the focus of attention. Dynamics in socio-technical systems involve a dynamic process of mutual adaptation and feedbacks between technology and user environment.(Geels 2004) Rapid population growth…

Health and care facilities There are 5 doctors' practices on Texel: 4 in Den Burg and 1 in De Cocksdorp. Diverse healthcare services are available on the island, such as physiotherapists, homeopaths, family care and social workers.  The nearest hospital is in Den Helder. Transport to and from the hospital is guaranteed day and night. http://www.texel.net/en/about-texel/health-and-care/  …

RECREATION The need for entertainment is large in a small isolated community such as Texel. If there were no  possibilities for entertainment, the population of Texel would probably drop significantly, and people would search for entertainment elsewhere. On Texel,  there are many different events such as: - Texel air show - Christmas markets - Music festivals such as Sommeltjespop, SunBeats and…

Introduction Each week, a group is tasked with doing two interviews related to the topic of that week's meeting.   Our two interviews are related to the  topic "Texel as sustainable island". When searching for suitable interviewees we came upon innovation manager Joris Voeten and TU Delft graduate Pedro Calle.       Interview Joris Voeten – Innovation manager SHFT Joris studies Tropical Forestry…

The values of the Texelaar are crucial to the succes or failure of sustainable development on Texel. After a few weeks of research we formed a general idea of the values of the Texelaar. These values were mapped in a YUTPA analysis. These values were then compared with the values we propose the Texelaar to have to ensure a successful sustainable development. The transition between these values is…

As entrepreneurs can be considered all the inhabitants of Texels that are looking for opportunities to improve life quality and are not afraid to trying to influence people around them to follow their initiatives.  The entrepreneurs of Texel can be found in a diversity of ages, interests, management styles and scale of businesses. They can be considered the most interested actor in Texel becoming…

Normal people are defined as the average Texelaars. They are an active part of the community of the island and have mostly, already defined their values, behaviors, perspectives of future possibilities for Texel and its relation with sustainability. The values that we define for them are based on how the Texelaar currently values each category.   Current Values: Family Family is very important to…

Unwillingness of inhabitants to change. The first unsustainability mechanism is the one related to unwillingness of inhabitants to change. This has to with the conservative nature of the identity of the Texelaar. Technological changes are easy to implement but will not suffice in making, in this case, Texel, a sustainable island. This means that the inhabitants of Texel, and people in general

The advantage of looking at socio-technical systems is that the co-evolution of technology and society, of form and function becomes the focus of attention. Dynamics in socio-technical systems involve a dynamic process of mutual adaptation and feedbacks between technology and user environment.(Geels 2004)   The technologies that are prevailing within the sociotechnical sub-system of health and…

How would our future socio-technical subsystem look if the inhabitants would be involved? In our socio-technical subsystem, sustainability would have become a part of the identity of the Texelaar. Texelaars themselves would get involved with projects such as De Zelfpluktuin, or through empowerment, they would be able to set up their own sustainable projects. Empowerment processes tend to be…

Empowerment of inhabitants To ensure a successful sustainable transition, preventing  or dealing with resistance from inhabitants is very important. Most resistance can be dealt with by allowing for participation. Through the years, many participative methods have been developed to create more acceptance and support in communities, such as: Information, Explanation  and Negotiation. Negotiating…

Unwillingness of inhabitants Transitioning to a more sustainable Texel is a lengthy process. To ensure the success of this process, it is essential that the Texelaars do not only accept this transition, but that they also support it. This means that the inhabitants have to become an integral part of this sustainable transition and the eventual solution. Creating support and acceptance from the…

People from Texel do not feel connected to (sustainability) ideas that come from the mainland. One could argue if the inhabitants of the Dutch island of Texel are actually Dutch. Texelaars (Texel's inhabitants) have a strong identity through which they differentiate themselves from the regular Dutch people living on the mainland. The islanders have their own dialect of the Dutch language and…

According to the definition given by the Brundtland Commission, sustainable development is a "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Identifying these needs are crucial when searching for opportunities and solutions for the many problems we face. These needs, however, do not exclusively describe our actual…