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Products 5.455

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Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker

Purpose: The purposes of this study were, first, to (re)design the user-interface of the activity tracker known as the MOX with the help of input from elderly individuals living independently and, second, to assess the use of and experiences with the adapted Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker in daily life. Methods: The double diamond method, which was used to (re)design the user-interface, consists of four phases: discover, define, develop, and deliver. As a departure point, this study used a list of general design requirements that facilitate the development of technology for the elderly. Usage and experiences were assessed through interviews after elderly individuals had used the activity tracker for 2 weeks. Results: In co-creation with thirty-five elderly individuals (65 to 89-years-old) the design, feedback system, and application were further developed into a user-friendly interface: the Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity. Twenty-eight elderly individuals (65 to 78-years-old) reported that they found the MISS activity easy to use, needed limited help when setting the tracker up, and required limited assistance when using it during their daily lives. Conclusions: This study offers a generic structured methodology and a list of design requirements to adapt the interface of an existing activity tracker consistent with the skills and needs of the elderly. The MISS activity seemed to be successfully (re)designed, like the elderly who participated in this pilot study reported that anyone should be able to use it.

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Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker

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Identity in sustainablity transitions

This article proposes that identity formation and reformation are important dynamics that influence and are influenced by the course of a sustainability transition. We study identity (re-)formation in the transition of the dairy sector in a rural area in the Netherlands: the Green Heart. Soil subsidence, high emissions, and economic pressures require substantial changes in practices in the dairy sector and most importantly, the landscape that it is intertwined with. We use narrative analysis to study identity (re-)formation in two new stakeholder collectives that aim to address sustainability in the area. We identify discrepancies between the narratives in these collectives and the transition challenge. These discrepancies can be explained by the role that the landscape of the Green Heart plays in the identity (re-)formation within these collectives. The attachment to the current landscape forms a lock-in for the sustainability transition in this area.

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(Re)connecting Homeless People. How Social Workers in the Netherlands Use Social Networking Technology to Enhance and Involve the Informal Network of Their Homeless Clients

The use of social networking and e-health technology through mobile (and other) devices, like smartphones and tablets, has been increasing in the last 20 years. This is equally true for people in marginalized situations, like homeless people. Earlier research shows that the majority of homeless people own a smart phone (Heaslip et al., 2021) and that mobile technology has the potential to support the health and wellbeing of persons who are homeless (Calvo & Carbonell, 2019). In our presentation, we will explore this potential further and shed light on how and why online social networking is used by homeless people and their social workers.We will present findings from our two-year qualitative research project ‘Social Network First?’ on network support offered to homeless people in Amsterdam and Haarlem, two cities in the Netherlands. In the recent decade, the Netherlands has seen the number of homeless people doubled (CBS, 2021) and the urgency to support this disadvantaged group has increased. Whereas policy in previous years focused predominantly on a ‘housing first’ approach, in which the main priority is to accommodate homeless people, the belief grows that this approach is not sufficient. For that reason, in addition to housing, Dutch shelter organizations are implementing a novel network support approach in the care of homeless people. With this approach, loosely based on the resource group method, social workers attempt to empower their homeless clients by involving and strengthening their clients’ social contacts. To understand the network support approach and its contribution to the empowerment of homeless people, we have conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with homeless people, their relatives and friends, social workers, and other professionals involved. The analysis of the interview data reveals that online social networking is of crucial importance for the network support approach. Our (preliminary) results show that especially WhatsApp is used by social workers to connect the homeless person to his/her social network in two ways. Firstly, WhatsApp is used for thoroughly mapping the social network of the client. Secondly, WhatsApp is used to create an online support group, which offers the client and his/her network possibilities for (re)connection and mutual support. In addition, WhatsApp is used extensively by social workers to easily maintain contact with homeless clients. This is important because, especially with clients who are not ready yet to work on their recovery, using WhatsApp allows social workers to just check in once in a while, while giving control of the process to the client. Whereas these results are predominantly positive, we will also discuss the cons of social networking technology, like privacy issues. In conclusion, our presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of the opportunities of social networking technology in the context of supporting homeless people. By examining the implications for social workers, we aim to inspire attendees with insights in how digital communication methods can be used to improve their social work practice. Subsequently, we aspire this contributes to developing pathways out of homelessness with the help of others.

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Reflecting on New Business Models in Construction Aiming at Re-Use of Materials and Components’

In order to achieve more impact and efficiency on the route towards a circular economy, new business models are introduced in the value chain of construction. It is suggested that lease and performance contracts will stimulate producers to improve quality and lifetime of building products, thereby ameliorating use and reuse of products and their materials. This, since these companies know the origin and composition of the materials, and the history of use and service of the products. The advantages seem to be obvious: the user only pays for use and performance of the product e.g. light, energy, vertical transport or protection against water and wind. The producers remain the owners of products and resources, and have the possibility to reuse and recycle materials and products in an efficient manner. This requires that they provide service during the lifetime of the products, and have the obligation to take care of the perfor- mance of their products over a certain period of time.In the Netherlands these circular business models (CBMs) are already implemented at a small scale. The introduction of these models raises some fundamental questions however, which, ideally, need to be addressed before such models are implemented at a larger scale. The aim of this paper is on the one hand to describe some of these business models, and on the other hand to reflect on some fundamental questions that can be raised in relation to a shift of ownership of materials. What may be the consequences of this shift of ownership? What are the risks of agglomeration of building materials by larger companies? Among other things such a shift could potentially influence the diversity and flexibility of choice available for tenants and building owners. It may also limit future possibilities of SME’s in the supply chain of construction. Are there ways to minimize some of these risks if we decide to implement these business models at a large scale?

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Reflecting on New Business Models in Construction Aiming at Re-Use of Materials and Components’

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Projects 12

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Application of wastewater treatment systems to minimize the water consumption of a pulp mill located in the Rio Doce basin (WatMin).

Due to the existing pressure for a more rational use of the water, many public managers and industries have to re-think/adapt their processes towards a more circular approach. Such pressure is even more critical in the Rio Doce region, Minas Gerais, due to the large environmental accident occurred in 2015. Cenibra (pulp mill) is an example of such industries due to the fact that it is situated in the river basin and that it has a water demanding process. The current proposal is meant as an academic and engineering study to propose possible solutions to decrease the total water consumption of the mill and, thus, decrease the total stress on the Rio Doce basin. The work will be divided in three working packages, namely: (i) evaluation (modelling) of the mill process and water balance (ii) application and operation of a pilot scale wastewater treatment plant (iii) analysis of the impacts caused by the improvement of the process. The second work package will also be conducted (in parallel) with a lab scale setup in The Netherlands to allow fast adjustments and broaden evaluation of the setup/process performance. The actions will focus on reducing the mill total water consumption in 20%.

Finished

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Circulaire bedrijfsvoering: management en ecologie in balans

Met het rijksbrede programma ‘Nederland Circulair in 2050’ wil de Rijksoverheid een omslag maken naar een circulaire economie, met als uitgangspunt 50% minder verbruik van primaire grondstoffen (mineraal, fossiel en metalen) in 2030. In hun voorbeeldfunctie tegenover bedrijven en consumenten hebben overheidsorganisaties als doel gesteld om in 2020 slechts 35% restafval te genereren binnen hun bedrijfsvoering. Een afdeling Facility Management, gericht op ondersteuning van het primaire proces, kan daaraan een belangrijke bijdrage leveren. Maar hoe doe je dat? Facilitaire professionals van overheidsorganisaties ervaren knelpunten die hen belemmeren om de doelstellingen te behalen. Zij vinden het bijvoorbeeld lastig om de circulaire gedachte en circulair gedrag in alle schakels van het bedrijfsproces te stimuleren. En beschikken niet altijd over de juiste kennis om gericht actie te ondernemen. In dit project wordt dan ook handelingsgericht onderzoek verricht rondom de vraag: “Met welk handelingsprotocol kunnen facilitaire professionals van de Rijksoverheid duurzaam gebruikersgedrag stimuleren, de afval- en grondstofstromen verduurzamen en daarmee bijdragen aan een circulaire bedrijfsvoering?” De projectpartners Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen en FM Haaglanden willen samen met De Haagse Hogeschool een handelingsprotocol ontwikkelen zodat facilitaire professionals de circulaire bedrijfsvoering binnen overheidsorganisaties kunnen optimaliseren. Het project speelt daarmee in op de huidige handelingsverlegenheid bij facilitaire professionals die in zeer korte tijd de ambitie van 35% restafval in 2020 dienen te halen. De urgentie van het project is daarmee zeer groot. In twee jaar ontwikkelt De Haagse Hogeschool dit handelingsprotocol samen met de projectpartners. Het projectplan bestaat uit activiteiten die zijn gericht op 1) het inventariseren en stimuleren van duurzaam gedrag bij eindgebruikers, 2) het inventariseren en stimuleren van duurzaam gedrag bij facilitaire professionals, 3) het ontwikkelen en toepassen van een praktisch handelingsprotocol voor facilitaire professionals van de Rijksoverheid en 4) het dissemineren in praktijk, onderwijs en onderzoek.

Finished

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Circular Trust Building

The transition to a circular, resource efficient construction sector is crucial to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. Construction stillaccounts for 50% of all extracted materials, is responsible for 3% of EU’s waste and for at least 12% of Green House Gas emissions.However, this transition is lagging, the impact of circular building materials is still limited.To accelerate the positive impact of circulair building materials Circular Trust Building has analyzed partners’ circular initiatives andidentified 4 related critical success factors for circularity, re-use of waste, and lower emissions:1. Level of integration2. Organized trust3. Shared learning4. Common goalsScaling these success factors requires new solutions, skills empowering stakeholders, and joint strategies and action plans. Circular TrustBuilding will do so using the innovative sociotechnical transition theory:1.Back casting: integrating stakeholders on common goals and analyzing together what’s needed, what’s available and who cancontribute what. The result is a joint strategy and xx regional action plans.2.Agile development of missing solutions such a Circular Building Trust Framework, Regional Circular Deals, connecting digitalplatforms matching supply and demand3.Increasing institutional capacity in (de-)construction, renovation, development and regulation: trained professionals move thetransition forward.Circular Trust Building will demonstrate these in xx pilots with local stakeholders. Each pilot will at least realize a 25% reduction of thematerial footprint of construction and renovation

Ongoing

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Circular Wood for the Neighbourhood

Professionals van woningbouwcorporaties en gemeentes die zich bezig houden met verduurzaming hebben vragen over hergebruik van afvalhout uit hun (renovatie) projecten. De doelstelling van dit voorstel is het onderzoeken van de mogelijkheden om hout te hergebruiken door gebruik te maken van innovatieve digitale productietechnieken, en om implementatiestrategieën hiervoor te ontwikkelen voor publieke organisaties in de bouwsector, in het bijzonder woningcorporaties en gemeentes. Strategieën omvatten concrete voorstellen om a) afvalhout van woningen in te zamelen en te verwerken; b) waarde toe te voegen aan houtafvalstromen door middel van digitale productie; c) de betrokkenheid en acceptatie van huurders te vergroten bij circulaire verwerking van hout in nieuwe toepassingen; en d) goede toepassingen voor een circulaire economie te realiseren. Het project onderzoekt aard en omvang van houtafvalstromen uit woningrenovatie en identificeert de mogelijkheden voor het hergebruik van specifieke fracties daarvan voor (lokale) toepassingen. Uit voorgaande projecten blijkt dat digitale productie mogelijkheden biedt om stedelijk afval om te zetten in zinvolle circulaire producten. Digitale productie maakt de (lokale) creatie van unieke prototypen en grootschalige toepassingen mogelijk. Het onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd in vier werkpakketten. De eerste identificeert de aard van huishoudelijk houtafval (volume, houtsoort, verzamelproces) door zorgvuldig cases van Ymere en Rochdale te bestuderen. Daarnaast worden er een raamwerk van indicatoren gedefinieerd om projectresultaten te kunnen evalueren. Het tweede werkpakket onderzoekt welke toepassingen kunnen worden bedacht, gegeven de beschikbare houtfracties. In het derde werkpakket wordt een aantal case studies uitgevoerd voor concrete projecten van de deelnemende woningcorporaties. Deze applicaties hebben als doel het potentieel van digitale productie met houtafval te laten zien, rekening houdend met het perspectief van bewoners. Het biedt belangrijke inzichten in de uitvoerbaarheid van concrete toepassingen uit teruggewonnen hout. In het vierde werkpakket worden alle projectbevindingen gecombineerd in een set implementatie strategieën voor publieke organisaties in het stedelijk domein.

Finished

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Designstrategieën voor het circulair ontwerpen van producten

De Nederlandse overheid wil in 2050 een volledig circulaire economie bereiken. Met haar sterke rol als inkoper gaat ze diverse sectoren dwingen om producten circulair aan te bieden. De visie is om de geleerde lessen ook toe te passen in andere sectoren en zo de circulaire economie te versnellen. Kantoormeubilair is gedefinieerd als één van de eerste sectoren waarin geëxperimenteerd wordt met circulair inkopen. Levensduurverlenging door onderhoud en/of revitaliseren van bestaand meubilair staat daarbij centraal. Ahrend zet in op het revitaliseren van bestaand meubilair door het terugnemen en opwaarderen van oud meubilair. Dit meubilair is echter van oorsprong ontworpen voor lineair gebruik. Levensduurverlenging zal succesvoller zijn als daar vooraf in het ontwerp rekening mee is gehouden. Verschillende strategieën zijn samengevat in de circulariteitsladder en variëren van functieverandering tot recycling. Inzicht in de effectiviteit van designstrategieën voor circulair ontwerpen ontbreekt echter. d’Andrea&Evers is ontwerpbureau en adviseur voor circulair ondernemen. Wordlenig is een ontwerpbureau gericht op marktinnovatie. Beide zien in de ontwerppraktijk gebrek aan kennis hoe circulariteit afhangt van ontwerpkeuzes. Het is daarbij moeilijk om effecten van verschillende designstrategieën onderling te vergelijken. Met ontwerpend onderzoek gaan we in dit project daarom een kantoorstoel vanuit verschillende circulaire designstrategieën herontwerpen en vervolgens de circulaire verschillen inzichtelijk maken. Daarvoor gebruiken we milieu-impact analysen zoals LCA. Door het onderzoek uit te voeren als praktische design-casus, geven we inzicht in de uitdagingen van circulair ontwerpen voor product designers. De vraagstukken in deze sector, zijn de vraagstukken waar industrieel ontwerpers in andere sectoren later óók mee geconfronteerd worden. Het kennisverband voor circulair ondernemen, CIRCO, helpt daarom met disseminatie van de resultaten in andere sectoren. De onderzoeksvraag luidt: “Wat zijn voor industrieel ontwerpers de mogelijkheden en beperkingen van strategieën voor het circulair ontwerpen van producten en hoe kan het effect van die strategieën op de circulariteit onderling vergeleken worden?“

Finished

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Integrated Nature-Inclusive Circular Farming: agroforestry as a business model

In the Netherlands, the theme of transitioning to circular food systems is high on the national agenda. The PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has stressed that commuting to circular food chains requires a radical transformation of the food chain where (a) natural resources must be effectively used and managed (soil, water, biodiversity, minerals), (b) there must be an optimum use of food by reducing (food) waste . . ., (c) less environmental pressure, and (d) an optimum use of residue streams. The PBL also recognizes that there should be room for tailored solutions and that it is important to establish a benchmark, to be aware of impacts in the production chain and the added value of products. In the line of circular food systems, an integrated nature-inclusive circular farming approach is needed in order to develop a feasible resource-efficient and sustainable business models that brings shared value into the food chain while invigorating the rural areas including those where agricultural vacancy is occurring. Agroforestry is an example of an integrated nature-inclusive circular farming. It is a multifunctional system that diversifies and adapts the production while reducing the carbon footprint and minimizing the management efforts and input costs; where trees, crops and/or livestock open business opportunities in the food value chains as well as in the waste stream chains. To exploit the opportunities that agroforestry as an integrated resource-efficient farming system adds to the advancement towards (a) valuable circular short food chains, (b) nature-based entrepreneurship (nature-inclusive agriculture), and (c) and additionally, the re-use of abandoned agricultural spaces in the Overijssel province, this project mobilizes the private sector, provincial decision makers, financers and knowledge institutes into developing insights over the feasible implementation of agroforestry systems that can bring economic profit while enhancing and maintaining ecosystem services.

Finished

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Nul op de Trafo Analysis, Houtlaan, Assen

Based on the model outcomes, Houtlaan’s energy transition will likely result in congestion and curtailmentproblems on the local electricity grid within the next 5-7 years, possibly sooner if load imbalance between phasesis not properly addressed.During simulations, the issue of curtailment was observed in significant quantities on one cable, resulting in aloss of 8.292 kWh of PV production per year in 2030. This issue could be addressed by moving some of thehouses on the affects cable to a neighboring under-utilized cable, or by installing a battery system near the end ofthe affected cable. Due to the layout of the grid, moving the last 7 houses on the affected cable to the neighboringcable should be relatively simple and cost-effective, and help to alleviate issues of curtailment.During simulations, the issue of grid overloading occurred largely as a result of EV charging. This issue can bestbe addressed by regulating EV charging. Based on current statistics, the bulk of EV charging is expected to occurin the early evening. By prolonging these charge cycles into the night and early morning, grid overloading canlikely be prevented for the coming decade. However, such a control system will require some sort of infrastructureto coordinate the different EV charge cycles or will require smart EV chargers which will charge preferentiallywhen the grid voltage is above a certain threshold (i.e., has more capacity available).A community battery system can be used to increase the local consumption of produced electricity within theneighborhood. Such a system can also be complemented by charging EV during surplus production hours.However, due to the relatively high cost of batteries at present, and losses due to inefficiencies, such a systemwill not be financially feasible without some form of subsidy and/or unless it can provide an energy service whichthe grid operator is willing to pay for (e.g. regulating power quality or line voltage, prolonging the lifetime of gridinfrastructure, etc.).A community battery may be most useful as a temporary solution when problems on the grid begin to occur, untila more cost-effective solution can be implemented (e.g. reinforcing the grid, implementing an EV charge controlsystem). Once a more permanent solution is implemented, the battery could then be re-used elsewhere.The neighborhood of Houtlaan in Assen, the Netherlands, has ambitious targets for reducing the neighborhood’scarbon emissions and increasing their production of their own, sustainable energy. Specifically, they wish toincrease the percentage of houses with a heat pump, electric vehicle (EV) and solar panels (PV) to 60%, 70%and 80%, respectively, by the year 2030. However, it was unclear what the impacts of this transition would be onthe electricity grid, and what limitations or problems might be encountered along the way.Therefore, a study was carried out to model the future energy load and production patterns in Houtlaan. Thepurpose of the model was to identify and quantify the problems which could be encountered if no steps are takento prevent these problems. In addition, the model was used to simulate the effectiveness of various proposedsolutions to reduce or eliminate the problems which were identified

Finished

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Permacomputing in the arts: a new practice-oriented way to teach computer technology and environmental sustainability in art and design education?

My research investigates the concept of permacomputing, a blend of the words permaculture and computing, as a potential field of convergence of technology, arts, environmental research and activism, and as a subject of future school curricula in art and design. This concept originated in online subcultures, and is currently restricted to creative coding communities. I study in what way permacomputing principles may be used to redefine how art and design education is taught. More generally, I want to research the potential of permacomputing as a critical, sustainable, and practical alternative to the way digital technology is being taught in art education, where students mostly rely on tools and techniques geared towards maximising productivity and mass consumption. This situation is at odds with goals for sustainable production and consumption. I want to research to what degree the concept of permacomputing can be broadened and applied to critically revised, sustainable ways of making computing part of art and design education and professional practice. This research will be embedded in the design curriculum of Willem de Kooning Academy, focused on redefining the role of artists and designers to contribute to future modes of sustainable organisation and production. It is aligned with Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences sectorplan masters VH, in particular managing and directing sustainable transitions. This research builds upon twenty years of experience in the creative industries. It is an attempt to generalise, consolidate, and structure methods and practices for sustainable art and design production experimented with while I was course director of a master programme at WdKA. Throughout the research I will be exchanging with peers and confirmed interested parties, a.o.: Het Nieuwe Instituut (NL), RUAS Creating 010 kenniscentrum (NL), Bergen Centre for Electronic Arts (NO), Mikrolabs (NO), Varia (NL), Media Arts department at RHU (UK), Media Studies at UvA (NL).

Finished

Products 5.455

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Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker

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