The Influence of Public Participation and Energy Justice on the Heating Transition in Mariahoeve, The Hague

Abstract

The thesis analyses the role of public participation and energy justice perceptions of local stakeholders on policy-making in the heating transition in the district Mariahoeve in The Hague. The thesis shows that the municipality of The Hague approaches public participation both top-down and bottom-up. Participants mainly expressed justice concerns in relation to communication, outcome fairness, outcome favourability, and distribution of responsibilities. In reaction to the preferred scenario of the municipality, participants proposed to include a low temperature district heating system in the assessment for the most suitable heating solution. Analysis of the interactions between policymakers and stakeholders indicates a willingness of policymakers to hear the concerns of participants. However, the municipality can be more clear in its communication about how the heating transition will be organized in Mariahoeve.