emPOWERed

Abstract

The energy transition is a complex challenge for cities. All sectors of society will have to change. Many sustainable opportunities arise, but injustices are still present. Often, people in disadvantaged positions are not properly recognized, included in decisions and left to deal with the burdens. Lack in proper citizen participation, causes current energy transition policies to appear distant from the local, implementation scale. Using socio-economic, spatial analysis and governance mapping, this project showcases energy vulnerabilities and the skewed institutional perspectives on local transition capacities. By combining expert interviews, policy analysis and imaginative co-creation sessions in the case study area of Hillesluis, Rotterdam, a more just governance structure and inclusive participatory practice can be formed. The project exposes injustices in underlying systems of power and decision making, as many policy incentives are aimed towards financial benefits. The current participatory process of transitions in itself is characterized by ex-ante responses and informs rather than actively engages communities. This results in many citizens who are in disadvantaged positions, albeit financially or socially, are left out. Thus keeping loops of injustice in place. Through theoretical and co-creation experimenting, a just participation process was formed, however the execution therein showcased many difficulties. Measures such as frequent city-wide campaigns, transparency and adaptive area-based strategies could divert these fragilities in participatory processes for future sustainable transition research. As socio-technical transitions are becoming more complex, innovative perspectives and empirical research are needed. This project not only critically examines current governance structures and participation processes, but proposes measures to overcome the experienced socio-spatial and procedural barriers towards just energy transitions. Resulting in more human-centred and socially innovative policy aims towards a just energy transition for all.