Research Hans Keune

Abstract

This project aims to substantiate nature interventions as a function of a climate-adaptive care environment. We refer here to 'care nature interventions'. A care nature intervention is a scientifically substantiated nature intervention within a certain care context with the aim of (i) increasing biodiversity, (ii) improving health (mental, physical and social) and (iii) contributing to a climate-adaptive environment where water is buffered, carbon is stored and the heat island effect is mitigated. During 4 years, 3 to 5 living labs spread over Flanders will be monitored. In these living labs, more quality nature is set up within walking distance of a specific target group or setting with a social or care need and for which that nature contributes to the recovery of both people and environment. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

BIONEXT will develop knowledge, tools, and guidance for mainstreaming biodiversity into policy making and provide concrete options on how to initiate, accelerate and upscale biodiversity relevant transformative change in society. It will deliver an innovative Nexus Modelling Framework that will integrate scenarios and pathways in a co-production process with stakeholders, while modelling interlinkages between biodiversity, water, food, energy, transport, climate, and health, and enabling simulation of the impacts of indirect and direct drivers on biodiversity. Through its database of transformative change cases, BIONEXT will involve policy- and decisionmakers and allows them to explore the concept of just transformative change. Plausible futures and desirable, nature-positive visions for Europe and multiple just transition pathways will be co-created in workshops and focus groups taking place in various cities around Europe. With the involvement of diverse stakeholders, the BIONEXT Pathways App will be delivered as a novel decision support tool that allows users to explore transformational building blocks, for formulating policies and implementation pathways for the biodiversity nexus. The results will contribute to science brokerage, capacity building and networking to IPBES, EU policymakers, and civil society.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans
• Co-promoter: Springael Johan
• Co-promoter: Van geertruyden Jean-Pierre

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Space has become a scarce commodity. A third of the surface in Flanders is already taken up, 6 hectares are added every day. Moreover, 16% of the total surface is paved. How can we look at our neighborhood with different eyes? Whose space does it belong to? How can we make it more beautiful, healthier and climate-friendly? 'We are Space' wants to provide schools and neighborhood groups with tools to get started with these questions, through teaching and work packages that we will develop participatively through 5 pilot projects. What? 5 local collaborations (local government, elementary school and community group) for the participatory development of a teaching and work package 5 concrete and feasible plans for an action in the municipality or city, from greener and shared playgrounds and vegetable gardens to car-free school streets and who knows ... Gather insights on the impact of our workshops, brainstorming sessions and methodologies on participant engagement and neighborhood support around sustainable use of space

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The objective of GOGREEN ROUTES is to position European cities as world ambassadors of urban sustainability. Our inspirational approach shifts the focus of NBS towards the co-benefits to multidimensional health-termed 360-Health. GOGREEN ROUTES transdisciplinary consortium will pioneer a unique approach augmenting NBS, urban design with the goal of fostering a positive human-nature relationship, flourishing nature connectedness and promoting citizen engagement through digital, educational and behavioural innovation. GOGREEN ROUTES components focus on nature-based enterprise (GROW), sustainable physical activity (MOVE), digital, cultural (FEEL) and knowledge innovation (KNOW). GOGREEN ROUTES fosters mental health and well-being by optimising human-nature interactions for all citizens. These innovations will increase the uptake and acceptability of NBS across "Cultivating Cities" (Burgas, Lahti, Limerick, Tallinn, Umea & Versailles), "Seed Cities" (Munich, Murcia region & Malta) and a "Cross-Pollination Network: (Beijing, Mexico, & Tblisi). An urban well-being lab, based on the living lab methodology will couple participatory approaches with the Big Data analyses. To advance knowledge, best practice and dissemination GOGREEN ROUTES will cluster with H2020 projects including those involving our partners (e.g. proGIreg, bluehealth2020, Connecting Nature). In addition, linking all open-sourced data to the OPPLA and Think Nature Hubs, delivering online resource (e.g. Urban 360-Health Toolkit, MOOC's) and empowering citizens in an iterative process of co-creation will ensure perpetuation beyond the end of the project. This novel approach, coupled with the high capacity of the consortium, makes GOGREEN ROUTES an exciting prospect.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

During three years this Chair will be financed by the Provincie Antwerpen and build on the on-going project "Green light" (see below) in which the research department ELIZA collaborates with the Provincie Antwerpen who also finances that project. From 2019 the Chair will focus on research, education and services regarding a better connection between primary health care and the natural living environment: Integration knowledge and practice: practice oriented research (action-research/implementation research) and research oriented practice (practice-evaluation) Integration attention for nature related health benefits & health risks Inter-professional: collaborative research nature sector – health sector – other relevant sectors; knowledge transfer to and from different sectors

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans
• Promoter: Remmen Roy

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project
• Education Project

Abstract

Nature and biodiversity not only have a positive impact on human health, they are also essential for a good and healthy life. Although this theme is receiving increasing attention within healthcare, nature solutions within healthcare still often exist as isolated initiatives without a structural scientific framework. Hence the need to develop a scientifically based evaluation methodology that can generate information and provide evidence regarding health gains to be achieved on the one hand and ecosystem strengthening on the other. In this study, we elaborate on the aforementioned issues and propose a conceptual framework that will serve as the foundation of the project. In doing so, we also introduce some additional approaches that were not called for as such in the specifications, such as a training perspective and considering the role of the microbiome. Furthermore, we deal with the different phases described by the client in a methodological way where we always make the connection with the methodology of intervention mapping that we will apply in an iterative process.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans
• Co-promoter: Spacova Irina

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Since not all climate-health issues can be addressed simultaneously, a prioritisation methodology addressed at the same time, a prioritisation methodology urges itself to concretely start the operation of the Flemish climate-health working group to concretely start. During the start-up meeting of the working group, it was therefore decided to set up a sub-working group to develop a methodology for the prioritisation exercise. The prioritisation exercise aims to answer this question: What is greatest need, where is most health gain to be gained in terms of climate health through preventive actions (short- or long-term)? The subworking group is working on a pragmatic method to structure the complex issue of prioritisation. The working group members will be surveyed via a questionnaire. This task includes: - Processing the incoming survey responses - Assigning expert level weights and performing a sensitivity analysis (MCDA)

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In response to an invitation of the Fondation Botnar, the International Foundation for Science (IFS) substantiated its candidacy for hosting the Young People and Relational Wellbeing Research Program.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The importance of nature for the development of adolescents (12- 18 jaar) is often mentioned in scientific literature. Both for health, well being and school performance, as for founding pro-environental behaviour as citizen. Still adolescents at secundary school seem to lack interest in nature. Despite a diversity of organizations offering nature-education programs, the demand from adolescnts and secundary schools appears to be low. We will investigate this mismatch in lterature review and three case studies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans
• Co-promoter: Boeve-de Pauw Jelle
• Co-promoter: Michels Nele
• Co-promoter: Van Petegem Peter

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In our rapidly urbanizing world, chronic health conditions associated with urban living are on the rise. One of the main current challenges is unravelling the role of reduced access to and reduced quality and quantity of nature and biodiversity in these living environments. Enhanced immune functioning emerges as one promising candidate for a central pathway between nature and health. Despite mounting evidence that people with a diverse microbiome or who interact with green spaces enjoy better health, studies have yet to directly examine how biodiverse urban green spaces might modify the human microbiome and reduce chronic disease. Another challenge is to enhance access to nature for all, which is unevenly distributed among social groups with different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. In this project, the environmental microbiome, defined as the microbes in soil, on plants, and associated with air dust, will be targeted, as well as its social distribution. General objectives and underlying research questions B@SEBALL will investigate how biodiversity in the school/playground environment can positively affect children's health (asthma and allergy prevalence) and mental well-being and how this can be linked to human microbiome diversity. B@SEBALL will also investigate the opportunities for reducing health inequalities among children via biodiversity at school environments. Further, B@SEBALL will investigate how school/playground management and design can benefit from this knowledge, as well as relevant policy, education and family practices. Through its partners, B@SEBALL can build on established school projects aimed at greening playgrounds: Flanders (MOS) and Wallonia & Brussels (GoodPlanet Belgium). Methodology B@SEBALL will sample children from "grey" and "green" schools (i.e. the school environment) in "rural" and "urban" landscapes (i.e. the larger environment surrounding the schools) in different Belgian regions. B@SEBALL will investigate the influence of the school environment, mediated by macro- and microbiological characteristics, on asthma/allergy prevalence and mental well-being. Because, previous research has stressed the necessity of taking into account the rural-urban gradient, we expect the effects to depend on this gradient and hypothesise that positive health effects of green school environments will be larger in urban contexts. In this study, we will use the microbiome on leaves of plants growing outside as an indicator reflecting the cumulative effects of these environmental exposures. Children's exposure to airborne microbial fraction will be measured by nostril human microbiome swab samples of the children. B@SEBALL has designated work packages for key elements of the work: WP1 integrated assessments, WP2 school engagement, WP3 environmental assessment, WP4 health assessment, WP5 social assessment and WP6 coordination and communication. B@SEBALL starts with a joint methodological implementation phase across all work packages. Selection of schools will be incorporated in this phase. Next, engagement with schools will be organized, as well as recruitment of study participants. Collaboration with participating schools will be organized, based on which data collection can start. Next, data processing and transfer from designated work packages 3, 4 and 5 will form the basis for integrated assessment in WP1. Based on the integrated assessment, project outcomes will be formulated, which can feed into stakeholder and end-user dialogue, in order to create targeted and practice relevant key messages. In a final communication and dissemination phase, first the study participants will be addressed, before final wide spread external communication. Potential impact of the research on Science, Economy, Society, Culture, Public policy or services, Environment and/or quality of life and/or Collection management and conservation

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that the living environment is an important determinant of human health. Historically, planning and health professionals collaborated to foster healthy environments, however, the integration of both disciplines has disappeared over time with the decrease in infectious diseases and the commercialization of medicine. The Flemish region in Belgium is both challenged by high healthcare costs stemming from the domination of curative medicine and increasing pressure on the non-built environments due to urban sprawl and urbanization. These two challenges formed the basis of the project, called Kerngezond, in which a participatory and transdisciplinary process resulted in the development of a dialogue instrument on Healthy Peri-Urban Planning. The instrument aimed to foster the dialogue between environmental and health actors in the planning of healthy environments in the peri-urban context of the Province of Antwerp. Throughout the study process, the instrument was conceptualized together with environmental and health professionals acting at different scales, then applied in the planning of three local case studies, and eventually evaluated on its practical use. From this project we learned that the creation of a common language between health and environmental actors on a complex theme, allowed both disciplines to exchange and integrate knowledge and expertise in the development of healthy peri-urban environments. With the presentation of the dialogue instrument and the description of the study process, we hope to inspire future transdisciplinary projects on healthy spatial planning.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Action research on burnout coaching on care farms tested at several care farms in Flanders, involving several clients and coaches and supported by an interprofessional group of relevant expert organizations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

To protect the health of populations and individuals, policies need to integrate environmental and health issues. The aim of HENVINET is to support such informed policy making. HENVINET will review, exploit and disseminate knowledge on environmental health issues based on research and practices, for wider use by relevant stakeholders.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Loots Ilse
• Co-promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

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

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this contribution the authors explain how a complexity approach is helpful to the field of environment and health research and how social science can make a relevant contribution. The approach is characterized by modesty, respect and transparency with regard to complexity of reality, and openness to different relevant forms of knowledge and opinion. The approach will not make work easier in all respects. But it will enhance the quality by respecting the complexity of real world problems. Two cases of complexity in relation to environment and health are discussed in order to illustrate what complexity is and how we may deal with complexity. Climate change is discussed by focussing on the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and examples of practical experience as social scientists in the Centre of expertise for Environment and Health in Flanders (Belgium) are introduced.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Loots Ilse
• Co-promoter: Keune Hans

Research team(s)

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

Project type(s)

• Research Project