Research Ann Crabbé

Abstract

The main goal of BlueGreen Governance is to develop innovative land-sea governance schemes based on scientific evidence and societal choices. The current management of oceans, seas and coasts is fragmented across multiple institutional layers and policy areas and based on past experience. BlueGreen Governance pursues an innovative approach to the governance of the seas and coastal areas that: promotes integration between institutional layers and across policy sectors with a clear impact on the use of the land and the sea; involves and engages citizens in decision-making processes, while at the same time including scientific evidence; responds predictively to changing physical conditions as indicated by scientific evidence as well as indigenous and local knowledge and citizen science; and uses e governance tools in support of the previous three points. With this focus and approach, the project responds to the need for better informed decision-making processes, social engagement and digital innovation while promoting more harmonious and effective science policy-society interfaces. The promotion of better science-policy, science-society and society-policy interactions will be embedded in the digital transformation and application of e-governance tools for co-design and service delivery. BlueGreen Governance will implement and assess these innovative governance schemes in 8 cases across several European regions and sea basins and will draw lessons on how to trigger and facilitate effective institutional change via capacity building. The cases are: Comunidad Valenciana; North Adriatic; the Solent; Western Scheldt; Oslofjord; Canary Islands and Reunion. With this geographical scope, the project will investigate five marine basins (Western Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), including one transnational marine basin (i.e. the North Adriatic case) and one transnational river basin (i.e. the Western Scheldt case).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Climate change, combined with urbanisation, is increasing flood risks worldwide. Mitigation efforts are insufficient to significantly reduce the likelihood of flooding, so adaptation is necessary. Flood risk adaptation strategies are brought into practice through flood risk management (FRM). FRM is often seen as a technological challenge, requiring engineering solutions. However, people experience floods in different ways, due to their location and social, physical, financial, or psychological characteristics. These differences in social vulnerability create inequalities in the capacity of people to deal with floods. There is therefore an urgent need to recognise these differences and address justice concerns through FRM policy and practice. However, a knowledge gap exists on how to make FRM more inclusive and just. This PhD project therefore addresses the following questions: (1) To what extent are differences in social vulnerability to floods recognised and addressed in national-level FRM policy and through FRM strategies? (2) How are differences in social vulnerability to floods understood by public authorities in FRM? Does that impact their attention to social vulnerability, and if so, in what way? And (3) what conditions are required to reduce social vulnerability to floods through FRM to enhance flood resilience? Answering these questions is highly relevant, because recognising the needs of socially vulnerable groups and the importance of individual and community capacity to contribute to FRM is crucial if public authorities want to increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of their policies, without exacerbating inequality in floods. The research questions are tackled using a qualitative, social-constructivist approach. A central focus is how attention to and understanding of social vulnerability to floods is constructed by policy as well as by the knowledge and expertise of stakeholders involved in FRM. Data were collected through analyses of policy documents and interviews, and parts of this PhD are also based on case study research, which provides the depth needed to explore justice and equality on a local level. The empirical data are collected in five papers, which form the basis of the PhD thesis. The papers are logically structured, starting broad and narrowing down to lower levels and scales. The first papers introduce the FRM context at a European and Flemish level, and the extent to which social vulnerability to floods is currently recognised as an issue. The consecutive papers zoom in on specific FRM strategies, and the role of individuals in FRM. Together, the chapters provide a coherent and novel storyline of social vulnerability and (in)equality in FRM. The first three years of this PhD are funded through BELSPO and the JPI Climate SOLARIS project (SOLidarity in climate change Adaptation policies: towards more socio-spatial justice in the face of multiple RISks). In those three years, empirical data have been collected and the majority of the papers have been written and published. The DOCPRO1 funding will be used to fund a fourth year, needed to finish the PhD. During the fourth year, the focus will be on finalising the last paper (and ensuring that those papers that have not been accepted yet, get published), writing the introduction and theoretical framework, contextualising the papers where necessary, and writing the discussion and conclusion.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vandermoere Frederic
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Fellow: Paauw Mandy

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This policy-oriented scientific research generates new human biomonitoring data and data from environmental measurements to examine to what extent and how adolescents in Flanders are exposed to environmental pressure and what this exposure does to the body. The study design is interdisciplinary. All Flemish universities, VITO, PIH and INBO contribute; VITO is the research coordinator. In this configuration, CRESC takes the lead of the social sciences aspects, including the research of socio-stratification in participation rates and study results, of risk perception, risk communication and stakeholder involvement in the study.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bergmans Anne
• Co-promoter: Bervoets Lieven
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Groffen Thimo
• Co-promoter: Vandermoere Frederic
• Co-promoter: Verschraegen Gert

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Flemish cities are expected to take a leading role in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. At the core of these strategies are nature based solutions (NBS) by green, blue and hybrid urban infrastructures. NBS address multiple problems related to climate change in an integrated, sustainable way. Although investments in NBS infrastructures are considered a cost effective way to achieve future societal and environmental benefits, current public budgets in Flanders are insufficient. As a result, the gap between investments in and societal need for NBS is growing. In contrast to limited public budgets, there is an abundance of private capital seeking for investments. Yet, the potential to invest private capital in NBS is not fully exploited. NBS projects typically have sizeable upfront costs and diffuse and long-term societal benefits that are not easily captured in steady cash flows, making privately financed schemes often inappropriate. In order to attract private investments to NBS, new business models and alternative financing mechanisms are needed. In this project, we study the utilization potential of innovative financing models in the Flemish context by developing real life business cases of NBS, using new instruments such as impact financing, value capturing and ICO-crowd funding. In order to develop a realistic and holistic interdisciplinary approach, this strategic research will study how new financial instruments impact planning and design of NBS infrastructure. The urban living lab approach will ensure continuous integrated assessment of the spatial, juridical, institutional, economic feasibility and social impact of the new financing business models, optimising the utilisation potential for the societal users. This research project will be integrated in the SBO-FWO project Innofins if granted. The SEP grant will be used to finance the planning and design research track of the proposal and will finance a part time post doc to coordinate the living labs and to develop a new proposal for similar funding opportunities.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Coppens Tom
• Co-promoter: Compernolle Tine
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Houben Robby
• Co-promoter: Van Dooren Wouter

Research team(s)

• Research Group for Urban Development

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project aims to facilitate and support the preparation of holistic state-of-the-environment reporting ('omgevingsrapportage'). University of Antwerp inspires the holistic state-of-the-art environment reporting by interviewing internal and external stakeholders and by bringing together good practices based on document analysis. The information gathered is analysed and interpreted and leads to - amongst others - the identification of basic conditions for good holistic state-of-the environment reporting and presenting a number of (if-then) scenarios for holistic state-of-the-environment reporting in Flanders. The results of this project aim to inspire the commissioner in drafting an executive order and the multi-anual work programme. Given the submission dates of these documents, to know: autumn 2021 for the executive order and end of 2021 for the multi-annual work programme, the project foresees in-between feedback loops on the results.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Loots Ilse

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

SOLARIS focuses on social-spatial injustices of Climate Change Adaptation Policies (CCAP). The hypothesis in SOLARIS is that social and spatial inequalities exist and threaten the implementation of climate change adaptation policies and the equitable involvement of affected citizens. Several potential social injustices may occur in face of climate change and policies implemented to assist adaptation: i) injustice in the levels of risk experienced and how these will be impacted by climate changes ii) injustice related to the level of contribution to tackling risk and implementing climate adaptation iii) differences in the level of ability to impact decision-making? and iv) injustice in the capacity to respond and adapt. Understanding how these injustices occur and who is advantaged or disadvantaged and in what manner, is critical to implementing socially acceptable and just climate change adaptation policies. This is particularly true for floods, that are among the main climate and weather-related causes of damage in Europe. Through the lens of flood risk management, we will evaluate the design of climate change adaptation policies and the instruments that they use to reduce the risk from extreme events. Concentrating on those strategies which better integrate adaptive actions, SOLARIS focuses on flood prevention, the accommodation of water to reduce impacts and flood preparation and recovery. A case study approach will be adopted (2 per country) to analyse cases which have implemented, or which are in the process of implementing climate change adaptation policies. This approach permits the study of ongoing participation as well as exampling the socio-spatial inequalities that may only be revealed postimplementation. Based on multi-disciplinary research from four countries (Belgium, England, Finland, France), the SOLARIS project addresses two questions: i) How can we assess and map socio-spatial inequalities related to the implementation of climate change adaptation policies? We explore what factors make specific groups less involved in climate change adaptation policies and analyse their distributional impacts. ii) How are inequalities addressed by adaptation policies? We examine what solidarity mechanisms are implemented and how affected groups are engaged in adaptation policies. Integration in the decision-making process is studied through citizen participation during the processes of definition and implementation. SOLARIS has both scientific and societal objectives. It aims to develop conceptual and analytical approaches to reveal social justice perspectives of CCAPs and explore the policy and decision-making process for a large range of stakeholders (policy-makers, practitioners, citizens..) to facilitate participatory processes. The project will advance the state-of-the-art by developing frameworks to identify and analyse the socio-spatial inequalities of CCAP. This is relevant to provide recommendations about how policies can better account for and minimise the inequality. SOLARIS is based on multi-disciplinary research (e.g. law, sociology, geography and planning) and the consortium gathers researchers from 4 countries (Belgium, England, Finland and France).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

It concerns an advisory assignment with regard to identifying and formulating impact indicators for developing a human biomonitoring programme at the European level, within the context of the HBM4EU project.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Society and Environment
• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Based on an investigation of the perceived aims of human biomonitoring (HBM), the project aims to develop a set of indicators that allows an assessment of the added value of HBM in Flanders, not only for the Flemish context, but also for the national and European context.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Loots Ilse

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

It concerns an advisory assignment with regard to identifying and formulating impact indicators for developing a human biomonitoring programme at the European level, within the context of the HBM4EU project.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In the call for proposals, questions are asked on the effectivity of Flemish water quality policy. Are we reaching the goals and do we do that by using the right means (instruments)? What about the goal-means ratio: do we work sufficiently efficient with our scarce resources? And behind these questions, there is a concern: how will we keep paying, in times of budgetary constraints, the (expensive) bill of water quality policy? This research project aims to make a first exploration of the effectivity of the government policy as implemented, by gathering existing information about policy effectiveness and interviewing experts (from the government and from academia). This first exploration is important as input for and in preparation of the societal debate that the Coordination Commission on Integrated Water Policy will organize in cooperation with the regional advisory councils in a later stage. We underline that this research, which is mainly based on expert judgement, will only provide a part of the answer to the effectiveness question. The research's ambition is explicitly not to make technical, quantitative analyses of policy's effectiveness. Instead, the ambition is to make a social-constructivist analysis in which qualitative analyses are made of Flemish water quality policy, based on arguments and considerations of experts and overarching reflections from the researchers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Society and Environment
• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

At the occasion of the international year of the evaluation, the Flemish Evaluation Platform (VEP) organizes a seminar on 17 December 2015 in which developments in policy evaluation during the last decade are being discussed. The VEP want to offer a reflection on what was, what is and what the future brings for policy evaluation. The office of MIRA, part of the Flemish Environment Agency and expert environment, nature and energy in the organizing committee of VEP, has been asked to (1) offer a presentation or working paper with a SWOT analysis for the environment, nature and energy policy domain, and (2) organize a parallel session during the seminar on the same topic. In that framework, the University of Antwerp is engaged for a research and advisory mission in which the following steps are foreseen: (1) interviewing a small number of key actors in the policy domain to identify the SWOT elements; (2) processing the results in a draft paper, for feedback to the key actors, and (3) a participatory set-up of the session on environmental policy on 17 December, with a presentation of the SWOT analysis results and one or two contributions 'from the field', followed by a panel debate on statements that aim to stimulate the improvement of the organization of environmental policy evaluation in Flanders.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The research and assistance assignment 'economy of the future', executed by the University of Antwerp, is commissioned by The Shift, a platform that stimulates partnerships between its members and helps with co-creation of a more sustainable society and economy. The assignment builds on vision-developing work in 2015, under the auspices of ARGUS, the environmental think tank of KBC. The goal of this assignment is double. First and foremost, the report 'Economy of the future. Visions and opportunities for a sustainability transition' aims to contribute to envisioning how the sustainability transition will look like in the economic sphere. Because of the massive use of expert language on the economy of the future (circular economy, sharing economy, social innovation, next economy…), people seem to lose their orientation. Getting a sharp focus in the discussion on the vision we need for the economy of the future, is important for that reason. Secondly, the report aims to identify so-called 'wharfs': concrete ideas and starting points to stimulate multi-actor collaboration on the obstacles for the economy of the future. These 'wharfs' are situated in the domains of (1) awareness-raising, also within firms; (2) support for firms, e.g. via financing and liability arrangements, (3) spatial planning aspects of the economy of the future, e.g. via distribution and logistics in cities and (4) legal-fiscal barriers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Loots Ilse

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research connects to one of the most pressing issue on the development agenda for the coming decades, i.e. climate change and more particularly the need to design effective coping and adaptation strategies in the south. It starts from the observation that thus far micro-level adaptation policies are generally targeted at households, and thus implicitly assume that households act as neutral intermediaries among policy-makers and individuals. This is in sharp contrast to intrahousehold allocation literature which has over the past decade demonstrated that the household does not typically function as a unit with one utility maximizing function where different members pool resources. In fact, it is more likely that the household functions as a locus of cooperation and conflict and that bargaining processes among different household members with different preferences and bargaining power determine whose preferences finally prevail. Strongly diverging preferences and behaviour, oftentimes structured along gender lines, have been recorded in many areas, including in how to adapt to climate change, and in how to manage and conserve natural resources. However, and somehow to our surprise, there has thus far been little cross-reading among climate change adaptation research and intra-household allocation literature. This is exactly what this research projects aims to do. We will in particular zoom into agricultural and water related adaptation interventions in the Rwenzori region in Uganda, an area which is strongly affected by climate change. We will compare the impact of interventions which use slightly different delivery modes that can be traced back to different assumptions about household decision-making. We will compare the impact of interventions targeted at households with interventions targeted at individuals, more specifically women. The study will use a quasi-experimental research design to arrive at conclusions regarding causal inferences, and combine this with qualitative methods to get insight into men's and women's perceptions of how they are affected by climate change, and how and why they respond in particular ways. This research will add to the relatively scarce robust impact studies on the topic and it is particularly relevant against the background of a growing acknowledgement that successful adaptation is not only influenced by technological innovation but also largely shaped by local norms and institutions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Holvoet Nathalie
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Fellow: Van Aelst Katrien

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This programme aims to support authorities and other stakeholders in vulnerable urban agglomerations in Europe by designing appropriate and resilient Flood Risk Governance Arrangements (FRGAs). The programme's final goal will be to develop policy design principles for FRGAs and to derive implications for policies and law at the level of the EU, its member states, regional authorities, and public-private partnerships.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Loots Ilse

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Policy Research Centre studies Sustainable Materials Management (SuMMa) from a transition management perspective. Since SMM is a cornerstone of the future green economy, behavior in society should be shifted in a way that current material needs can be fulfilled without destabilizing the natural system nor mortgaging its future. The Policy Centre will investigate and foster the role that policy can and should play in this transition towards sustainable materials management. Within SuMMa, UA is responsible for the researchcluster "Systems analysis", which aims at identifying the underlying societal and political mechanisms that guide the transition process. In a first research line, attention is payed to the deliniation of the sustainable materials management system at the level of the Flemish region (What actors are at play? What is the role of the government in such a transition? ...). A second research line puts this analysis in a European and international context.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bergmans Anne
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In December 2009, the Flemish Environment Agency and particularly the team for state-of-the-environment reporting (the MIRA-team) published the report Environment Outlook 2030 (Milieuverkenning 2030). The Environment Outlook 2030 contains a description of the expected environmental development in case of both unchanged and alternative policy, according to a number of relevant scenarios. In this research project, the University of Antwerp investigates how this publication was received. The MIRA-team specifically wants to: (1) get a clear picture about how readers of the Environment Outlook 2030 evaluate the content, the process and the lay-out of the document, (2) investigate if the Environment Outlook 2030 offers useful input for environmental policies in Flanders and for strategic decision-making on the longer term, and (3) receive suggestions for a concept note that will be developed on a new edition of the Environment Outlook, to be published in 2013.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Loots Ilse
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Society and Environment
• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VMM and builds on the former Evaluability Assessment of the Flemish policy on climate change adaptation. Given all the uncertainties, how does Flanders cope with the issue of climate adaptation ? Which bottle necks occur and what can facilitate further progress in policy making ?

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Loots Ilse
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The evaluability assessment aims to assess, in narrow collaboration with the SOER-team MIRA: - to encourage participants to take part in the evaluation; - to anticipate questions and concerns that might hinder the evaluation; - to establish guideliness to set up the evaluation. The assessment does not aim to evaluate the desirablity of a policy evaluation but to identify and set the conditions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Loots Ilse
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research fits into a broader evaluation of river basin management planning in Flanders, Belgium. Financed by the Ministry of the Flemish Community, about 20 interviews are being held with important actors in integrated water policy. The attention is focused upon the process and the organization of the planning; suggestions for further planning are gathered.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Loots Ilse
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Society and Environment

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The project intends to stimulate companies to make their products and production processes more sustainable by applying well-considered materials and materials technology. in order to realise this objective, the project consortium takes four steps. First, it investigates which incentives and impediments influence the use of innovative materials technologies. We look for and describe various concrete examples. Companies willing to testify of their experiences are interviewed and asked to fill in a small questionnaire. Lessons drawn from interviews and questionnaires are communicated to a wide audience. In case the companies concerned agree, they will present their cases to other companies in order to inspire them: to look for their own opportunities to organise their production processes and design their products in more sustainable ways via the implementation of suitable materials and materials technologies. In a third phase, interested companies are guided to discern opportunities for sustainable materials innovation with the help of an opportunity scan. Development and application of this scan is one objective of the project. In the following and final stage the project consortium will discuss, together with interested companies, opportunities for sustainable innovation and work out an implementation trajectory. The consortium will pay equal attention to the three dimensions of sustainable development: planet, people, and profit. In short, 1) by focussing a) on the meaning that companies themselves assign to the concept of sustainable development and b) on reasons and considerations of companies to use specific materals and technologies, and 2) by concentrating on knowledge diffusion towards and between companies, we will engage with the production industry in Flanders in order to contribute to sustainable development.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bergmans Anne
• Promoter: Verbruggen Aviel
• Co-promoter: Crabbé Ann
• Co-promoter: Deblonde Marian
• Co-promoter: Loots Ilse

Research team(s)

• Society and Environment
• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Engineering Management

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project