Main challenge:

“How can we as humans relate to nature in a more equitable way?” 

About the research

Biodiversity is under severe pressure. The number of species is declining both globally and locally, which has direct consequences for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we rely on. As part of nature, humans rely on a wide range of ecosystem services, such as food production, clean air and water, climate regulation, health and wellbeing, and economic activities. We can still reverse the decline by working on solutions together with policy makers, businesses, researchers, citizens, and societal organizations. To do this we need to address the problem at its root cause: our role as humans in relation to other species and natural ecosystems. In this Thesis Lab we will dive deeper into more equitable human-nature relationships.

Students can come up with a ‘meta level’ reflective research question (with a more academic or philosophical orientation), e.g.:

• Humanities/Biology: How are humans shaped, impacted and transformed by contact and relation with nature?
• Economy: Which behavioural economic mechanisms — nudges, social norms, framing — increase the acceptance of nature-inclusive measures in public spaces?
• Governance: How can ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure — cooling, water retention, air quality — be embedded in municipal procurement processes?

Or tackle a real-world question with an academical rigorous basis from a societal partner. E.g.

• Engineering, Design & Technology: How can nature-inclusive building become the norm in the current Dutch renovation wave?
• How do we measure and monitor the impact of innovations on biodiversity?  E.g. from TUD Green village: Streetlight Bee&Bee, ROEF, Groofer, Dakbloemenweide, Boomveer, TheClimateWall, Biotaludtegel, TreeNovations, Natuurinclusief schuurtje, Sparrow Reefs.
• In public spaces infrastructural barriers prevent us from becoming more nature‑inclusive. Highly paved surfaces leave little room for natural growing spaces. How can we bring nature into these compacted public spaces despite engineering, governance and social challenges, without compromising accessibility and functionality?

Relevant read: https://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/pathways-towards-just-and-nature-positive-futures