Sustainable citizen participation - Aalborg Vestby
Translated title
Bæredygtig borgerinddragelse - Aalborg Vestby
Author
Blom-Hansen, Lau Andreas
Term
4. semester
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-06-03
Pages
40
Abstract
Global population growth and urbanization mean that by 2050 an estimated 68 percent of people will live in cities. The New Urban Agenda calls for more participatory cities that encourage civic engagement and a sense of ownership, which in turn requires more sustainable development processes. Over recent decades, Aalborg Municipality has shifted from heavy industry to a knowledge-based city, and in 2019 it began preparing a development plan for Aalborg Vestby. To explore how to achieve a sustainable transformation, this thesis outlines theories of sustainability and citizen participation. Data were collected from selected Vestbyen residents through two observations, one interview, and participatory data collection. Findings show that residents are mainly engaged with local values and social sustainability, framed by the ‘sustainability flower’—a model that highlights multiple dimensions of sustainability. Residents are primarily involved through information and feedback methods, which are not always adequate. The study therefore argues for a more participatory approach. It also recommends that the municipality act as a mediator, listening not only to the “what” of questions but more to the “why” behind them.
Verdens befolkning vokser, og stadig flere flytter til byerne. Ifølge prognoser vil 68 procent bo i byområder i 2050. New Urban Agenda opfordrer til mere deltagende byer, der fremmer medborgerskab og ejerskab, hvilket kræver mere bæredygtige udviklingsprocesser. Aalborg Kommune har over de seneste årtier bevæget sig fra tung industri til en videnbaseret by og begyndte i 2019 arbejdet med en udviklingsplan for Aalborg Vestby. For at undersøge, hvordan en bæredygtig omdannelse kan skabes, beskriver afhandlingen teorier om bæredygtighed og borgerdeltagelse. Data er indsamlet blandt udvalgte borgere i Vestbyen gennem to observationer, et interview og deltagende dataindsamling. Resultaterne viser, at borgerne især engagerer sig i lokale værdier og social bæredygtighed, forstået gennem ‘bæredygtighedsblomsten’—et rammeværk, der belyser flere dimensioner af bæredygtighed. Borgerne involveres primært via information og feedback, hvilket ikke altid er tilstrækkeligt. Derfor peger studiet på behovet for en mere deltagende tilgang. Derudover anbefales det, at kommunen indtager rollen som mediator og lytter ikke kun til “hvad” der spørges om, men i højere grad til “hvorfor” spørgsmålene stilles.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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