96 research outputs found
Mapping the shadow economy: spatial variations in the use of high denomination bank notes in Brussels city-region
No full textThe aim of this paper is to map the spatial variations in the size of the shadow economy
within Brussels. Reporting data provided by the National Bank of Belgium on the deposit of high
denomination banknotes across bank branches in the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital
Region, the finding is that the shadow economy is concentrated in wealthier populations and not
in deprived or immigrant communities. The outcome is a call to transcend the association of the
shadow economy with marginalized groups and the wider adoption of this indirect method when
measuring spatial variations in the shadow economy
Creative Networks and the City: Towards a Cultural Political Economy of Aesthetic Production
No full textThis book offers a fundamental contribution to the literature on the creative industries and the knowledge-based economy by focusing on three aspects: urban spaces as key sites of capitalist restructuring, creative industries' policies as state technologies aimed at economic exploitation, and the role of networks of aesthetic production in inflecting these tendencies. It simultaneously goes beyond these debates by integrating a concern with the cultural and aesthetic dimensions of the creative industries. As such, the book is relevant to researchers interested in the transdisciplinary project of a cultural political economy of creativity and urban change
Concurrentievermogen van Brussel in het Europees onderzoek
No full textWelke plek neemt Brussel in de Europese onderzoeksgeografie in? Brussel wordt algemeen erkend als de hoofdstad van de Europese Unie, maar vooral vanwege haar politiek-bestuurlijke functies. Omdat onderzoek fundamenteel is in een “kenniseconomie”, toont dit artikel de prestaties van Brussel op het gebied van deelname aan Onderzoek & Ontwikkeling-projecten (O&O) in de Europese Unie. De conclusies wijzen op een dubbele rol voor Brussel: i) de Belgische actoren presteren goed in de competitie om O&O‑calls; ii) EU-gerelateerde actoren dragen bij door de oprichting van onderzoeksnetwerken, die van Brussel de “hoofdstad van de Europese onderzoeksgeografie” maken. De analyse is gebaseerd op een innovatieve databank van deelnames aan Framework Programme-projecten van 1999 tot 2010.What is the place of Brussels in the European research geography? Brussels is commonly recognised as the EU capital, but mainly for its political and administrative functions. As research is fundamental in a “knowledge-based economy”, this paper shows the performance of Brussels in terms of participation in EU R&D projects. Findings show a double role for Brussels: i) Belgian stakeholders perform well in the competition for R&D calls; ii) EU-related stakeholders contribute by establishing research networks, making Brussels the “capital of the European Research Area”. The analysis is based on an innovative database of participation in Framework Programme projects from 1999 to 2010.Quelle est la place de Bruxelles dans la géographie de la recherche européenne ? Elle est généralement reconnue comme la capitale de l’UE, mais principalement en raison des activités politico-administratives qu’elle abrite. Or, la recherche est essentielle à une économie fondée sur la connaissance. La présente étude montre donc dans quelle mesure Bruxelles participe efficacement aux projets européens de R&D. D’après les conclusions qui s’en dégagent, Bruxelles exerce un double rôle : d’une part, les acteurs belges enregistrent de bons résultats face à la concurrence dans le cadre des appels à projets de R&D et d’autre part, les acteurs liés à l’UE, par la mise en place de réseaux de recherche, contribuent à faire de Bruxelles la capitale de l’Espace européen de la recherche. Cette analyse s’appuie sur une base de données innovante recensant les participations à des projets relatifs aux programmes-cadres de 1999 à 2010
Circular Design of Electric Toothbrushes: Concept design of an electric toothbrush ready for the circular economy
No full textElectric toothbrushes are the most effective method for maintaining oral hygiene, but also the method with the greatest environmental impact. Most of the impact of electric toothbrushes comes from transport, materials and parts. This means that by extending the product life and enabling local loops, the environmental impact of electric toothbrushes can be reduced. The circular economy encompasses multiple strategies that can be leveraged to achieve this.So far, there has been little research into designing small waterproof personal care appliances for the circular economy. In this thesis, the challenges and opportunities for transitioning electric toothbrushes to the circular economy are uncovered and a design solution to these challenges and opportunities is proposed. The primary research question for this thesis is:How can an electric toothbrush be designed suitable for the circular economy?The first two phases of this thesis were dedicated to uncovering the challenges and opportunities for transitioning electric toothbrushes to the circular economy. In the first phase, research into the state of the circular economy of current electric toothbrushes was performed in which the academic, manufacturer and user perspectives were researched. This led to three key insights for the circular design of an electric toothbrush. In the second phase, an analysis was performed of the implementation of circular design strategies in a representative set of current electric toothbrushes. This led to four key insights for the circular design of an electric toothbrush.In the third phase of the thesis, the key insights were translated to design challenges and a design solution to tackle these design challenges was conceived. This resulted in the Everbrush electric toothbrush concept.The battery has been made user replaceable to tackle the primary reason for reaching the end of life, reduced battery performance. An aluminium main body was introduced that aims to increase product attachment by ageing with dignity, which should also increase repair considerations. Another aim of the aluminium main body is to reduce hygiene concerns when purchasing refurbished. The ease of disassembly has been improved significantly which can open up additional opportunities for product life extensions. The amount of elastomers has been reduced by introducing a rotating magnetic power switch, eliminating the need for a power switch seal and increasing high-value recycling performance. Lastly, permanent connections were avoided throughout the design, also increasing high-value recycling performance.Integrated Product Desig
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