Non-Market Drivers of Well-Being in Sustainable Urban Development
Suggested Electives:
Intra-Urban Spatial Patterns and Process
Spatial Analysis of Ecosystem Services: Nature’s Benefits to People
The pursuit of economic growth, traditionally measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is increasingly being problematised for its effectiveness in enhancing societal well-being at different scales. In this MSc topic you will work in the context of the Horizon Europe project 'WISER' that aims to develop a new economic development framework that balances current well-being with future sustainability. This MSc topic will contribute to identifying non-market drivers (e.g. urban blue and green spaces) contributing to sustainable well-being in urban areas, leaving no person or place behind. The topic links with SDGs 3, 6 and 11.
In this topic, you will investigate the relationship between non-market factors and sustainable well-being. You could explore one or more of the following research questions:
- How do different disadvantaged groups (e.g. residents of deprived neighbourhoods, ethnic minorities, people with limited mobility and/or disabilities, women, migrants, (child) refugees, people experiencing homelessness) perceive and interact with their built and natural environment in urban areas, and how does this affect their well-being?
- What role do urban blue and green spaces play in enhancing the well-being and health of these groups?
- How does water security in urban areas, especially in African cities, impact the well-being and economic growth of the residents?
- How effective are current policies – national, regional and local – in meeting the needs of population? How much do they contribute to the well-being of various groups?
Depending on the specific questions you will develop and implement a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in Enschede, The Netherlands. Specific methods include digital participatory mapping, go-along interviews, map-based surveys, and the use of established health surveys like the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the WHOQOL-SRPB. The study may also employ the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to assess the impact of non-market drivers on well-being. Specific validated surveys will be included such as the personal wellbeing index (IWG, 2013).
The results of this MSc topic will inform the Horizon Europe project “Well-being in a Sustainable Economy Revisited (WISER)”. We support publication of results in the context of our project.
Foellmer, J., Kistemann, T., & Anthonj, C. (2021). Academic Greenspace and Well-Being — Can Campus Landscape be Therapeutic? Evidence from a German University. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 2, 100003. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2020.100003
International Wellbeing Group (2013). Personal Wellbeing Index: 5th Edition. Melbourne: Australian Centre on Quality of Life, Deakin University. http://www.acqol.com.au/instruments#measures
Moreno, C., Allam, Z., Chabaud, D., Gall, C., & Pratlong, F. (2021). Introducing the “15-Minute City”: Sustainability, Resilience and Place Identity in Future Post-Pandemic Cities. Smart Cities, 4(1), 93-111. https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/4/1/6
Putans, R., Zeibote, Z. (2021). Public services client-accordance through co production and digitalization. European Studies - the review of European Law, Economics and Politics, 28(1), p.127-147. ISSN 18058809. Available at: https://caes.upol.cz/en/european-studies/archive-of-the-journal/european-studies-vol-8-no-1-2021/ (journal) and https://caes.upol.cz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/121-147-Putans-Zeibote.pdf
Shumi, S., Zuidgeest, M.H.P., Martinez, J.A., Efroymson, D. and van Maarseveen, M.F.A.M. (2015) Understanding the relationship between walkability and quality - of - life of women garment workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In: Applied research in quality of life, 10(2015)2, pp. 263-287.
Zivanovic, S., Martinez, J., & Verplanke, J. (2018). Capturing and mapping quality of life using Twitter data. GeoJournal.
Exploring non-market drivers of well-being in urban environments is a wicked problem. It includes a variety of factors beyond traditional economic indicators, such as the (perception of) the quality of the built and natural environment, social dynamics, physical and mental health aspects, and issues of environmental justice and inclusivity. These elements interact in complex ways, making simple, linear solutions ineffective. The societal impact of this research includes shifting the focus from purely economic growth to a more holistic view of well-being. This study offers insights that can inform policies and interventions by identifying key non-economic factors that contribute to the sustainable well-being of communities, especially disadvantaged groups. These could include developing and maintaining urban blue and green spaces, enhancing water security, and creating more inclusive and health-promoting urban environments. This research topic draws upon multiple disciplines. It integrates insights from urban planning and geography, public health, environmental sciences, environmental psychology, urban and environmental economics, and sociology. It also involves various stakeholders, including urban planners, health professionals, policymakers, and the urban communities themselves, particularly those who are marginalised, and often not considered in urban development decisions. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial for developing comprehensive strategies that address the multidimensional challenges of urban well-being and sustainability.