Forced migration has been a significant struggle in the Netherlands, politically, socially, spatially and culturally. The costs of this struggle are paid by asylum seekers and status holders, living in uncertainty and isolation. This thesis discusses the position of Syrian status holders in the Netherlands, refugees who have obtained a residency permit to stay in the Netherlands. The aim of this thesis is to explore which role small towns play in the integration of Syrian status holders. A hypothesis was formulated that formed the basis for the fieldwork. The fieldwork consisted of site visits to two towns: Hardenberg and Dalfsen and interviews with Syrian status holders. The fieldwork provided opportunities and lessons that informed the final results. The result of this thesis is a roadmap to belonging: an overview of the factors: places, identifications, policies and collaborations, that influence the sense of belonging of Syrian status holders. A sense of belonging is defined by three dimensions: economic integration, social integration and the expression of cultural identity. Three catalysts are proposed to showcase how combining different factors results in complicated but effective strategies to improve the sense of belonging of Syrian status holders, while also offering opportunities to the host community. The catalysts concern employment, entrepreneurship, social interaction and leisure activities. This thesis provides a new view on the accommodation of newcomers, where benefits for the local society are synergized with a welcoming home for Syrian status holders.

The transition to renewable energy is necessary and urgent. Fossil fuels are depleting, leading to geopolitical instability and are driving climate change. The climate crisis and growing inequalities are among the greatest problems of the 21st century. Temperatures, sea levels and gas prices are rising. This transition poses spatial and economic challenges for the maritime region of South Holland, as the port is a large hub for fossil energy and contributes greatly to the national economy. The social challenge posed, is to create a fair transition. Some groups are more vulnerable to the transition than others, as they are more prone to be subjected to energy poverty and to potentially lose their (fossil related) jobs. Therefore, we conducted a research on how to create socio-economic and spatial justice for the Rotterdam maritime region through a fair distribution of burdens and benefits in the energy transition. This research resulted in a vision for South-Holland in 2050 ,"from consumer to prosumer", proposing a mainframe and a local frame. The mainframe proposal concerns a large renewable energy landscape in South Holland with a central circular hub in the port. The local frame proposal is the main focus of this report and concerns the vulnerable neighbourhoods that become prosumers instead of consumers. This means that they will not only consume energy, but renewable energy systems will be installed to also produce energy, while at the same time improving the quality of living. New job opportunities will be created in the circular construction and demolition sector in the neighbourhoods as well as in the port. The Rotterdam region will fully transition to renewable energy, while also decreasing inequality, unemployment and poverty.