35 research outputs found
A discursive perspective on socio-technical sustainability transitions : insights from the German packaging sector
No full textTo secure satisfying and sustainable livelihoods for current and future generations, changing modes of production and consumption are crucial, requiring multi-faceted and deep-structural socio-technical shifts in society. So far, transition research has mainly focused on the technological, institutional, and behavioral side of transitions and explored some promising attempts to include the normative dimension in its analyses as well. Nevertheless, a more structured exchange with interpretative discourse analysis to address the role of discursive elements and dynamics in transitions is missing. Consequently, this dissertation provides a discursive perspective on socio-technical sustainability transitions, using insights from the German packaging sector and its transition towards a sustainable circular economy. Overall, this conceptualization provides insights into the stabilizing and enabling discursive dynamics, shaping the directionality, potential, and disruptiveness of transition processes. In this way, the discursive perspective (1) helps to deconstruct the underlying values and assumptions of a socio-technical configuration, (2) to illuminate discourse sources of resistance that otherwise would have remained hidden, (3) provide a differentiated understanding of the necessary changes for sustainability, and (4) enhance the understanding of the role of incumbent actors in transition processes. Next to these conceptual contributions, the dissertation also offers methodological enhancements and hands-on approaches and tools to assess the normative dimension in transitions. More specifically, (5) it adapted various discursive approaches and tools for a socio-technical setting, (6) guides the analysis of discursive lock-in mechanisms next and in relation to its material, institutional, and behavioral counterparts, and (7) presents an approach to assess the potential and disruptiveness of current and future interventions for sustainability. Empirically, this dissertation provides various insights and explanations for the gap between ambition and practice of transition processes in the German packaging sector, disentangling the complex dynamics and providing an extensive knowledge base on the variety of actors, core problems, visions, and proposed interventions. Based on these findings, the dissertation holds three implications necessary for successful transition-making in the German packaging sector and beyond. To achieve a transition towards a sustainable circular economy, (1) discussions on the desired directionality of this transition need to be enabled, (2) interventions need to be targeted at overcoming resistance to change, and (3) shift their focus from shallow to deep system change
Unpacking pathways to a circular economy: a study of packaging innovations in Germany
No full textThe transition to a circular economy is a major goal for the German packaging sector, however, the pathway towards this goal remains unclear. This situation is also reflected in the variety of packaging innovations currently being developed by industry actors. This study contributes to this debate by (1) providing a comprehensive overview of the sustainable packaging innovations currently being developed; (2) analyzing the transition pathway narratives underpinning these innovations; and (3) outlining the overlaps, tensions and shortcomings of these pathways for a successful circular economy transition. As such, this provides an empirical basis for a more informed and reflexive understanding of current and future transition processes in the German packaging sector and for discussing the desirability of currently ongoing transition pathways
Discursive dynamics and lock-ins in socio-technical systems : an overview and a way forward
No full textUnderstanding the dynamics of stability and change is key to accelerate sustainability transitions. This paper aims to advance and inspire sustainability transition research on this matter by collecting insights from interpretative environmental discourse literature. We develop a heuristic that identifies and describes core discursive elements and dynamics in a socio-technical system. In doing so, we show how the interplay of meta-, institutionalized, and alternative discourses, dominant, marginal, and radical narratives, as well as weak and strong discursive agency influence the socio-technical configuration. The heuristic suggests three discursive lock-ins reinforcing the stabilization of socio-technical systems: unchallenged values and assumptions, incumbents’ discursive agency, and narrative co-optation. Furthermore, it explores three pathways of discursive change: disruptive, dynamic and cross-sectoral. Overall, this paper puts forward a discursive perspective on sustainability transitions. It offers additional analytical approaches and concepts for discursive transition studies, elaborated insights on the dynamics within and between the analytical dimensions of a socio-technical system, as well as a theoretical baseline for analyzing discursive lock-in mechanisms and pathways of discursive change
Trading radical for incremental change: The politics of a circular economy transition in the german packaging sector
No full textTrading Radical for Incremental Change: The Politics of a Circular Economy Transition in the German Packaging Sector
No full textUnderstanding environmental politics is crucial for sustainability transitions. We study the transition politics of the shift to a circular economy in the German packaging sector, particularly the curious case of the 2019 German Packaging Act. While the policy was born out of the unanimous wish for radical regulatory change, all actors evaluate the outcome as incremental. Following the Discursive Agency Approach and drawing upon actor interviews and documents, we show that actors’ perceived fears of radical changes are critical for transition politics. This fear created a lock-in of two narratives, proposing conflicting organizational designs of packaging waste management. While the narrative lock-in was resolved by trading radical for incremental change, it left many conflicts and challenges unresolved. Our findings suggest that actors’ fears not only prevent radical regulatory change but also create incremental change that may intensify unresolved conflicts and, thus, further weaken the actors’ capacities for future transition politics
Locked in unsustainability : Understanding lock-ins and their interactions using the case of food packaging
No full textLock-in mechanisms are major hurdles to sustainability transitions. Scholars identified various types of lock-ins; however, their dynamics and interactions remain underexplored. Using the case of food packaging, this study enhances the conceptual understanding and empirical analysis of lock-ins and their interactions from a socio-technical perspective. We analyze the material, institutional, behavioral, and discursive configuration and the shallow and deep lock-ins reinforcing the persistent dominance of single-use over reusable food packaging in Germany. Additionally, we explore the lock-in interactions both within and between the socio-technical elements. Hence, we introduce archetypical interlock-ins and lock-in clusters pointing to core trends of resistance towards reusable packaging alternatives. This study advances the lock-in concept for future socio-technical analyses while guiding the illumination of the complex dynamics of stability, the assessment of current sustainability transition interventions, and the search for potential unlocking strategies to enable change
Journal of Religion & Society
No full textMachteld Zee’s article in the previous volume outlines the debate concerning the interaction between the state and the operation of Sharia councils in the United Kingdom. She does not purport to provide a solution, but to add some elusive clarity in an area already full of ambiguities. This author holds the view that, in its goal to present a full account of the debate, Zee’s article is imbalanced in parts and not fully explored in others. I propose that, rather than suggested Government intervention in the form of top-down legislation, change ought to come from within the community.1
Restorative Urban Forest: Designing a forest park for Amsterdam Sloterdijk that contributes to reducing mental stress
No full textThis thesis project, as part of the urban forest places graduation lab, focuses on the relationship between urban environments and the healing aspects of nature. Urban environments affect our body and state of mind, and are not always beneficial for our mental health. Landscape and urban design can do something about this. But the question is how? The city of Amsterdam is used as a location to investigate this. The city is surrounded with a diverse metropolitan landscape, which enters far into the city in the form of green wedges, also called the Scheggen. Amsterdam has a long history in investing in green spaces during urban expansions. Since the sixteenth century every period of growth has been accompanied by planned investment in green spaces. First by planting trees along the canals in the sixteenth century. Than by creating city parks in the nineteenth century. The existing green structure was planned during the General Expansion Plan in 1934, made by van Eesteren. The purpose of the General Expansion Plan was not only to expand urban development but also to create a balance between city and green space. This green structure ensures that every resident of Amsterdam can reach a green space within ten minutes, even from the heart of the city centre. Nowadays, the city of Amsterdam has to deal with the following problems. Firstly, the big pressure on the housing market, is forcing the city to densify as well as expand outside of its current urban borders, which makes the Scheggen vulnerable. Not only densification is a problem, but also the fact that more and more people suffer from mental health issues, such as stress, burn-outs, anxiety and depression. Of course we all need a little bit of stress, but if people cannot restore from too much stress for a prolonged period of time, their health will be negatively affected in many ways. Additionally, the city also has to deal with a number of other complex issues, such as climate change issues and biodiversity loss. This has led to the main research question: How can a forest park be designed in such a way that it contributes to reducing mental stress in an urban environment? The findings from the literature study provided evidence that a forest park can contribute to reduce mental stress. Visiting or viewing a forest has a positive effect on people’s mental health and recovering from stress, especially for people from urban environments. The literature study, together with a thorough site research, formed the site specific design principles for the design intervention. The result of this thesis is a design proposal for an urban forest park for Amsterdam Sloterdijk. The project shows that the design proposal for a forest park not only contributes to reduce mental stress in an urban environment, but also increases biodiversity, and acts as a climate buffer by managing rainwater and cooling the environment.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Landscape Architectur
Discursive dynamics and lock-ins in socio-technical systems [Elektronisk resurs] : an overview and a way forward
No full textUnderstanding the dynamics of stability and change is key to accelerate sustainability transitions. This paper aims to advance and inspire sustainability transition research on this matter by collecting insights from interpretative environmental discourse literature. We develop a heuristic that identifies and describes core discursive elements and dynamics in a socio-technical system. In doing so, we show how the interplay of meta-, institutionalized, and alternative discourses, dominant, marginal, and radical narratives, as well as weak and strong discursive agency influence the socio-technical configuration. The heuristic suggests three discursive lock-ins reinforcing the stabilization of socio-technical systems: unchallenged values and assumptions, incumbents’ discursive agency, and narrative co-optation. Furthermore, it explores three pathways of discursive change: disruptive, dynamic and cross-sectoral. Overall, this paper puts forward a discursive perspective on sustainability transitions. It offers additional analytical approaches and concepts for discursive transition studies, elaborated insights on the dynamics within and between the analytical dimensions of a socio-technical system, as well as a theoretical baseline for analyzing discursive lock-in mechanisms and pathways of discursive change
