A COAL-TO-ACTION: A multidisciplinary exploration of Almaty’s coal-to-gas transition within its wider energy ambitions

This study focussed on the position of the Coal-to-Gas (CtG) transition of Almaty (Kazakhstan) within its wider energy goals to become energy neutral in 2060. Within CtG-transition the focus was mainly on the biggest coal-based power plant (CHP-2) of the city, which is planned to convert gas-based energy production.<br/><br/>The methodology...

A review of socio-technical barriers to Smart Microgrid development

Smart MicroGrids (SMGs) can be seen as a promising option when it comes to addressing the urgent need for sustainable transition in electric systems from the current fossil fuel-based centralised system to a low-carbon, renewable-based decentralised system. Unlike previous studies that were restricted to a limited number of actors and only took...

How to design a successful international integrative research and education program

International integrative research and education programs that address societal challenges such as flood risk can provide excellent out-of-class learning experiences for students by encouraging them to go beyond their own disciplines and tackle problems collaboratively with other students from various backgrounds. In recognition of the...

Drowning Deltas: A strategical spatial approach to soil subsidence in delta regions

Delta cities all around the world are under pressure from different forms of climate change effects. Soil subsidence as a result of peat oxidation, and anthropogenic loading of the soil. The soil in many of the heavily urbanised deltas around the world is subsiding faster than the see level is rising as a result of climate change. Few people are...

Recovery Capacity: To Build Back Better

The ambition to Build Back Better after a serious flood disaster is a complex challenge. A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary redevelopment planning process is required to reduce the flood risk and meanwhile create sustainable solutions that bring added value to society every day. General planning principles can be formulated on how to develop...

Beyond Explicit Reports: Comparing Data-Driven Approaches to Studying Underlying Dimensions of Music Preference

Prior research from the field of music psychology has suggested that there are factors common to music preference beyond individual genres. Specifically, research has shown that self-reported ratings of preference for individual musical genres can be reduced to 4 or 5 dimensions, which in turn have been shown to correlate to relevant...

Teaching environmental sustainability in higher education

The challenges of sustainable engineering and design are complex and so are the challenges of teaching sustainability to higher education students. This paper deals with teaching environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on the sustainability of buildings. The paper addresses specifically the higher professional and academic education....

Teaching environmental sustainability in higher education

The challenges of sustainable engineering and design are complex and so are the challenges of teaching sustainability to higher education students. This paper deals with teaching environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on the sustainability of buildings. The paper addresses specifically the higher professional and academic education....