From Pieces to Players
A Just Energy Transition for the People in the Groningen Gasfield Region
S.F. Schwager (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
M. Milusheva (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
A. Sharma (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Verena Balz – Mentor (TU Delft - Spatial Planning and Strategy)
T Bacchin – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
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Abstract
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies is profoundly transforming the Dutch province of Groningen - a region long shaped and heavily affected by the environmental consequences of decades-long gas extractions, most notably induced earthquakes. While gas production from the large Groningen gas field officially ceased in 2024 following years of public protest, the ongoing expansion of renewable energy infrastructure continues to alter spatial conditions and affect local livelihoods. Expert-driven, top-down planning approaches frequently marginalize local perspectives, raising critical questions of spatial justice and community agency within transition processes.
This project investigates how regional design strategies might contribute to spatial justice - understood through its three interrelated dimensions: recognitional, procedural, and distributive justice (Rocco, 2023). The research combined initial fieldwork with secondary data analysis. Quantitative analysis of socio-economic data (CBS) provided insights into regional disparities. Spatial analysis of publicly available GIS datasets mapped the spatial impacts of the energy transition. In parallel, a qualitative media analysis of 52 newspaper articles highlighted local perspectives, with a particular focus on protest movements.
This multi-layered analysis enabled the delineation of a “transition community“ - residents whose experiences of injustice have led them to self-organize and reclaim agency in shaping their environment by protesting. To support procedural justice and foster dialogue between stakeholders, the project developed a participatory “energy transition game“. The game translates complex spatial data and negotiation dynamics into an accessible tool, allowing players to discuss trade-offs, explore scenarios, and co-produce strategies for the region‘s energy future.
While time constraints limited the involvement of real stakeholders in gameplay, the tool proved valuable for identifying potential conflicts, synergies, and spatial interventions. The game process demonstrated the potential of serious games as critical instruments within participatory planning, enabling residents not only to understand complex transition dynamics but also to actively shape them through negotiation with other actors, thereby promoting more just and inclusive planning processes.