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City promotion, city marketing and city branding are all frequently mentioned and examined in the literature on urban governance. Based on the goals and characteristics of different city branding strategies, this study identifies a growing level of sophistication from city promotion via city marketing to city branding and proposes that the degree of urban development of cities is positively related to the use of branding strategies. This proposition is tested among 23 Chinese cities: 21 cities in Guangdong province and two in the Special Administrative Regions – Hong Kong and Macao. The results show a positive correlation between the use of city promotion, city marketing and city branding strategies and a city's level of urban development. Only the largest and wealthiest cities, and those with the strongest tertiary sector report on the use of policies which indicate city branding. The strength of the primary sector is significantly and negatively related to all three identified forms of branding strategy. Furthermore, significant positive statistical inter-relationships exist between the different branding strategies, which confirm the existence of complex relations and overlaps between them. Our findings suggest that local governments should align their city branding strategies with their development goals.
Wenting Ma; Martin de Jong; Thomas Hoppe; Mark de Bruijne. From city promotion via city marketing to city branding: Examining urban strategies in 23 Chinese cities. Cities 2021, 116, 103269 .
AMA StyleWenting Ma, Martin de Jong, Thomas Hoppe, Mark de Bruijne. From city promotion via city marketing to city branding: Examining urban strategies in 23 Chinese cities. Cities. 2021; 116 ():103269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWenting Ma; Martin de Jong; Thomas Hoppe; Mark de Bruijne. 2021. "From city promotion via city marketing to city branding: Examining urban strategies in 23 Chinese cities." Cities 116, no. : 103269.
Since the 1990s, many countries have witnessed the emergence of organizations publishing environmental, social, and quality-of-life indicators at a city level in order to promote public awareness, democratic participation, and sustainability policies. Many such initiatives are short-lived, however, and reasons for their success and failure under-researched. Using interviews, surveys, and documental data, we explored the survival rates, obstacles, and achievements of 49 initiatives in 10 Latin American countries. Contrary to those in other world regions, most initiatives have civil society stakeholders (notably universities, media, and businesses), excluding governments. Implementing citizen perception surveys proved effective to gain public attention. Several initiatives obtained name recognition and policy influence, which are significant achievements in megacities such as Bogotá, São Paulo, and Lima, where numerous NGOs vie for attention. Frequent obstacles include a lack of finances. After a seven-year period (2014–2021), 55% of the sampled initiatives remained active, ranging from 90% in Colombia to none in other countries. Organizational continuity appeared to be associated with network membership and discontinuity with diverging obstacles, including political pressures in some countries (e.g., Mexico), data scarcity in poorer ones (e.g., Bolivia), and a lack of sustained interest in relatively richer ones (e.g., Chile). Recent increases in socio-economic inequalities are strengthening the potential of community indicators.
Ludger Niemann; Thomas Hoppe. How to Sustain Sustainability Monitoring in Cities: Lessons from 49 Community Indicator Initiatives across 10 Latin American Countries. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5133 .
AMA StyleLudger Niemann, Thomas Hoppe. How to Sustain Sustainability Monitoring in Cities: Lessons from 49 Community Indicator Initiatives across 10 Latin American Countries. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (9):5133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLudger Niemann; Thomas Hoppe. 2021. "How to Sustain Sustainability Monitoring in Cities: Lessons from 49 Community Indicator Initiatives across 10 Latin American Countries." Sustainability 13, no. 9: 5133.
In 2015 the Housing Act was revised in order to further regulate the social housing sector in the Netherlands and thereby improve the steering possibilities for the central government to coordinate housing associations. This included local performance agreements for social housing policy obtaining a legal status. By introducing this policy instrument central government seeks to facilitate and ensure the tri-partite cooperation between municipalities, housing associations and tenants’ organisations in order to release funds by housing associations for social benefit. This should improve the position of municipalities and tenants’ organisations in social housing, and improve legitimate policy making. In this paper the main research question is: How are local performance agreements implemented targeting increased societal legitimacy in local social housing policy making, and what are its strengths and weaknesses in three selected cases in the Netherlands? A case study research design was used involving three local embedded case studies. As a theoretical framework the Contextual Interaction Theory was used. Data collection involved expert interviews and review of policy documents. Results reveal several weaknesses that impede the implementation of performance agreements, including issues in the broader governance regime and context, as well as issues with the inter-organisational structure and stakeholder interaction regarding the tri-partite cooperation between the key actors. This has to do with the precarious role of the tenants’ organisations in the process, and the local housing policy as the basis of local performance agreements. Results also show that implementation of performance agreements is more difficult in cities with dense urban areas.
S. G. J. Plettenburg; T. Hoppe; H. M. H. Van Der Heijden; M. G. Elsinga. Performance agreements to ensure societal legitimacy in the social housing sector; an embedded case study of implementation in the Netherlands. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 2021, 1 -27.
AMA StyleS. G. J. Plettenburg, T. Hoppe, H. M. H. Van Der Heijden, M. G. Elsinga. Performance agreements to ensure societal legitimacy in the social housing sector; an embedded case study of implementation in the Netherlands. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. 2021; ():1-27.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. G. J. Plettenburg; T. Hoppe; H. M. H. Van Der Heijden; M. G. Elsinga. 2021. "Performance agreements to ensure societal legitimacy in the social housing sector; an embedded case study of implementation in the Netherlands." Journal of Housing and the Built Environment , no. : 1-27.
In 2018, the Dutch national government announced its decision to end natural gas extraction. This decision posed a challenge for local governments (municipalities); they have to organise a heat supply that is natural gas-free. Energy models can decrease the complexity of this challenge, but some challenges hinder their effective use in decision-making. The main research question of this paper is: What are the perceived advantages and limitations of energy models used by municipalities within their data-driven decision-making process concerning the natural-gas free heating transition? To answer this question, literature on energy models, data-driven policy design and modelling practices were reviewed, and based on this, nine propositions were formulated. The propositions were tested by reflecting on data from case studies of ten municipalities, including 21 experts interviews. Results show that all municipalities investigated, use or are planning to use modelling studies to develop planning documents of their own, and that more than half of the municipalities use modelling studies at some point in their local heating projects. Perceived advantages of using energy models were that the modelling process provides perspective for action, financial and socio-economic insights, transparency and legitimacy and means to start useful discussions. Perceived limitations include that models and modelling results were considered too abstract for analysis of local circumstances, not user-friendly and highly complex. All municipalities using modelling studies were found to hire external expertise, indicating that the knowledge and skill level that municipal officials have is insufficient to model independently.
Birgit A. Henrich; Thomas Hoppe; Devin Diran; Zofia Lukszo. The Use of Energy Models in Local Heating Transition Decision Making: Insights from Ten Municipalities in The Netherlands. Energies 2021, 14, 423 .
AMA StyleBirgit A. Henrich, Thomas Hoppe, Devin Diran, Zofia Lukszo. The Use of Energy Models in Local Heating Transition Decision Making: Insights from Ten Municipalities in The Netherlands. Energies. 2021; 14 (2):423.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBirgit A. Henrich; Thomas Hoppe; Devin Diran; Zofia Lukszo. 2021. "The Use of Energy Models in Local Heating Transition Decision Making: Insights from Ten Municipalities in The Netherlands." Energies 14, no. 2: 423.
While many national and local governments in the world are placing their bets on smart city development in countering challenges such as climate change, air pollution, and congestion, few know exactly how to develop them in practice. A high and rising number of publications has appeared addressing the concept of “smart city,” but not many address its implementation. This paper aims at a conceptual understanding of the smart city by describing its various facets and using them to develop an Input-Output model helping policymakers and analysts make informed design choices. Using this model allows them to further their conceptual understanding of smart cities, envisage design choices they will face during planning and implementation, and help them to understand the impact of these choices. The model is illustrated by introducing the case of “Smart Dubai.” Overall, this paper provides enhanced understanding of smart city development processes. This can be used in decision-making processes.
Negar Noori; Martin de Jong; Marijn Janssen; Daan Schraven; Thomas Hoppe. Input-Output Modeling for Smart City Development. Journal of Urban Technology 2020, 28, 71 -92.
AMA StyleNegar Noori, Martin de Jong, Marijn Janssen, Daan Schraven, Thomas Hoppe. Input-Output Modeling for Smart City Development. Journal of Urban Technology. 2020; 28 (1-2):71-92.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNegar Noori; Martin de Jong; Marijn Janssen; Daan Schraven; Thomas Hoppe. 2020. "Input-Output Modeling for Smart City Development." Journal of Urban Technology 28, no. 1-2: 71-92.
This paper introduces an indicator system to measure and assess smart city readiness. Analyzing smart city initiatives in Iran as case studies, the theoretical framework we present reflects on how cities explore the possibility of becoming smart, and prepare themselves to begin implementing the transition towards becoming a smart city. This theoretical framework is then applied to four Iranian cities aspiring to become smart and that already possess credible smart city brands. The findings reveal that the most significant difficulty in Iran is associated with the political context. The changing urban governance model is the most important factor in Iranian smart cities’ readiness. Utilization of open data policies and data sharing, as well as making reforms in government structures are all considered a sine qua non to gain momentum. Based on the results of our empirical analysis a Theory of Change is developed to address the cities’ technological, socio-economic, and political readiness vis-à-vis the desired transition. The framework for measuring smart city readiness and the Theory of Change provide practical guidelines to developing systematic roadmaps for developing and implementing smart city policies.
Negar Noori; Martin De Jong; Thomas Hoppe. Towards an Integrated Framework to Measure Smart City Readiness: The Case of Iranian Cities. Smart Cities 2020, 3, 676 -704.
AMA StyleNegar Noori, Martin De Jong, Thomas Hoppe. Towards an Integrated Framework to Measure Smart City Readiness: The Case of Iranian Cities. Smart Cities. 2020; 3 (3):676-704.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNegar Noori; Martin De Jong; Thomas Hoppe. 2020. "Towards an Integrated Framework to Measure Smart City Readiness: The Case of Iranian Cities." Smart Cities 3, no. 3: 676-704.
The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) as the new paradigm of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and rapid changes in technology and urban needs urge cities around the world towards formulating smart city policies. Nevertheless, policy makers, city planners, and practitioners appear to have quite different expectations from what smart cities can offer them. This has led to the emergence of different types of smart cities and pathways of development. This paper aims to answer the research question: When comparing a selection of smart city projects, can we classify pathways for their implementation? We do this by using a cross-case research design of four cities to explore commonalities and differences in development patterns. An input-output (IO) model of smart city development is used to retrieve which design variables are at play and lead to which output. The four cases pertain to the following smart city projects: Smart Dubai, Masdar City, Barcelona Smart City, and Amsterdam Smart City. Our analysis shows that Amsterdam is based on a business-driven approach that puts innovation at its core; for Masdar, technological optimism is the main essence of the pathway; social inclusion is the focus of Barcelona Smart City; and visionary ambitious leadership is the main driver for Smart Dubai. Based on these insights, a classification for smart city development pathways is established. The results of the present study are useful to academic researchers, smart city practitioners, and policy makers.
Negar Noori; Thomas Hoppe; Martin De Jong. Classifying Pathways for Smart City Development: Comparing Design, Governance and Implementation in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4030 .
AMA StyleNegar Noori, Thomas Hoppe, Martin De Jong. Classifying Pathways for Smart City Development: Comparing Design, Governance and Implementation in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (10):4030.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNegar Noori; Thomas Hoppe; Martin De Jong. 2020. "Classifying Pathways for Smart City Development: Comparing Design, Governance and Implementation in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi." Sustainability 12, no. 10: 4030.
Although business models presumably have a prominent role in socio-technical change remarkably little research has been conducted in this domain, more particularly in the context of developing economies. In this paper, we tap into this knowledge gap and study business model components and the challenges they face. We argue that the market value of renewable energy technologies will increase when new business models are implemented to overcome financial and institutional challenges. We complement concepts of the business model literature with the insights from the sustainable transitions literature. This paper addresses two research questions: What are the challenges of business and financial models in the transition towards decentralized solar energy driven systems? And what are the promising opportunities for new business models in a developing country context? To answer these research questions, we use a case study research design focusing on niche market development of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in Lebanon. Data collection involved analysis of relevant text documents and expert interviews with 30 informants across different groups of stakeholders. Data analysis involved qualitative interpretation of collected data against concepts from the business model and Strategic Niche Management literatures. The results show that business model challenges initially were highly dependent on donor aid, which contributed to the launch and network creation of niche markets. Later, a shift to micro-finance and business startup models was observed, which showed promising development. Knowledge transfer and community empowerment were found to play an important role in developing new business models that involve consumers more closely. As this development is expected to take place more often, we expect that new opportunity pathways will develop in developing economies like Lebanon.
Houda Elmustapha; Thomas Hoppe. Challenges and Opportunities of Business Models in Sustainable Transitions: Evidence from Solar Energy Niche Development in Lebanon. Energies 2020, 13, 670 .
AMA StyleHouda Elmustapha, Thomas Hoppe. Challenges and Opportunities of Business Models in Sustainable Transitions: Evidence from Solar Energy Niche Development in Lebanon. Energies. 2020; 13 (3):670.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHouda Elmustapha; Thomas Hoppe. 2020. "Challenges and Opportunities of Business Models in Sustainable Transitions: Evidence from Solar Energy Niche Development in Lebanon." Energies 13, no. 3: 670.
Energy transition requires action from different levels of government. While the national and local level have received ample scholarly attention, thus far little attention has been paid to the regional level. This is remarkable because policy makers across Europe are wondering what governance of regional transition actually is and how to shape and implement it. In the present paper, this concern is addressed. The research questions are, “What does regional governance of energy transition entail? How can it be conceptualized? And what does it mean in practice?” The questions are answered by presenting the results of a multi-disciplinary literature study, presenting a conceptual framework on governance of regional energy transition, using insights from innovation and transition studies as well as from the regional and network governance literature, and applying this to the illustrative case of the West-Brabant region in The Netherlands. West-Brabant is a relatively large region and was home to a pilot that involved the development of a regional energy strategy. Data collection involved twenty expert interviews, text documents and participative observation in workshops. Results highlight the relevance of each of the key elements of the conceptual governance framework. However, some are particularly relevant like structural characteristics of the regional actor network, actor characteristics, and regional governance arrangements used. The results reveal commonalities with regional governance in other policy domains. This paper contributes to the literature on polycentric governance of energy transition and climate change mitigation, and concludes with the presentation of a research agenda.
Thomas Hoppe; Michiel Miedema. A Governance Approach to Regional Energy Transition: Meaning, Conceptualization and Practice. Sustainability 2020, 12, 915 .
AMA StyleThomas Hoppe, Michiel Miedema. A Governance Approach to Regional Energy Transition: Meaning, Conceptualization and Practice. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):915.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas Hoppe; Michiel Miedema. 2020. "A Governance Approach to Regional Energy Transition: Meaning, Conceptualization and Practice." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 915.
The transition towards low-carbon thermal energy systems requires solid information provision to support both public and private decision-making, which is future proof and optimal in the context of the system dependencies. We adopt a data ecosystem approach to answer the following research question: How can a data ecosystem be analyzed and developed to enable the data-driven support of the local thermal energy transition, by capturing both social and technical aspects of the urban thermal energy system? A case study research design of the Netherlands, with an embedded case of the city of Utrecht therein, was used, including data collection involving 21 expert interviews representing a diversity of stakeholders, and qualitative data analysis using NVivo version 10. The data ecosystem includes the necessary elements, roles, and context for decision makers in a local heat transition and captures the social as well as technical aspects of an urban thermal energy system. Assessment of the data ecosystem pertaining to thermal heat transition in the city of Utrecht shows that it is still in its infancy phase, with challenges, barriers, and shortcomings in all its key elements. We present suggestions for the (re-)design of an inclusive and holistic data ecosystem that addresses the current shortcomings.
Devin Diran; Thomas Hoppe; Jolien Ubacht; Adriaan Slob; Kornelis Blok. A Data Ecosystem for Data-Driven Thermal Energy Transition: Reflection on Current Practice and Suggestions for Re-Design. Energies 2020, 13, 444 .
AMA StyleDevin Diran, Thomas Hoppe, Jolien Ubacht, Adriaan Slob, Kornelis Blok. A Data Ecosystem for Data-Driven Thermal Energy Transition: Reflection on Current Practice and Suggestions for Re-Design. Energies. 2020; 13 (2):444.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDevin Diran; Thomas Hoppe; Jolien Ubacht; Adriaan Slob; Kornelis Blok. 2020. "A Data Ecosystem for Data-Driven Thermal Energy Transition: Reflection on Current Practice and Suggestions for Re-Design." Energies 13, no. 2: 444.
Evidence from academic studies that analyze social and institutional factors that influence success with community energy projects is scarce. To address this, we pose the question: What are the social, organizational, and governance factors that explain success with ‘local low-carbon energy initiatives’ (LLCEIs)? To answer this question, claims were first established pertaining to three groups of social factors: i.e. (i) those related to the LLCEI itself; (ii) factors related to the interaction between an LLCEI and the local community; and (iii) the presence of supportive governance settings and linkages with local government and intermediaries. These were analyzed using a variable-oriented cross-case design involving fourteen LLCEIs in the Dutch Province of Fryslân. Results show that there is a difference in the sets of factors that positively correlate with various measures of LLCEI success. Factors related to the LLCEI (i.e. internal organizational factors) correlate with collective energy projects and to a lesser extent with individual projects realized. Items related to interactions of the LLCEI with the local community primarily correlate with the customer base and to a lesser extent with individual projects realized. Finally, items related to the governance setting correlate most strongly with individual projects realized.
Beau Warbroek; Thomas Hoppe; Hans Bressers; Frans Coenen. Testing the social, organizational, and governance factors for success in local low carbon energy initiatives. Energy Research & Social Science 2019, 58, 101269 .
AMA StyleBeau Warbroek, Thomas Hoppe, Hans Bressers, Frans Coenen. Testing the social, organizational, and governance factors for success in local low carbon energy initiatives. Energy Research & Social Science. 2019; 58 ():101269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeau Warbroek; Thomas Hoppe; Hans Bressers; Frans Coenen. 2019. "Testing the social, organizational, and governance factors for success in local low carbon energy initiatives." Energy Research & Social Science 58, no. : 101269.
Niels Wäckerlin; Thomas Hoppe; Martijn Warnier; W. Martin De Jong. Comparing city image and brand identity in polycentric regions using network analysis. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy 2019, 16, 80 -96.
AMA StyleNiels Wäckerlin, Thomas Hoppe, Martijn Warnier, W. Martin De Jong. Comparing city image and brand identity in polycentric regions using network analysis. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy. 2019; 16 (1):80-96.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiels Wäckerlin; Thomas Hoppe; Martijn Warnier; W. Martin De Jong. 2019. "Comparing city image and brand identity in polycentric regions using network analysis." Place Branding and Public Diplomacy 16, no. 1: 80-96.
In the past three decades Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have realised a meteoric economic rise. Whereas the former two can be considered ‘rentier states’ heavily depending on oil (and gas) revenues, the latter only leans on oil for a mere 6% of its gross domestic product (GDP). Although the economic rise has brought considerable welfare, it has also led these emirates to attain the world’s highest per capita carbon footprint. To address this problem Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai seem to have formulated policies with regard to sustainable urbanisation and adopted strong branding strategies to promote them internally and externally. In this paper we examine which steps have been taken to substantiate their claims to sustainable urbanisation, in branding as well as in actions taken towards implementation. We find that all three have been very active in branding their sustainable urbanisation policies, through visions and policy frameworks as well as prestigious development projects, but that the former is substantially more impressive than the latter. Results also show there is a difference between Abu Dhabi and Qatar on the one hand, and Dubai on the other. Dubai has large number of small ‘free economic zones’, academic institutions for developing a knowledge economy, and smart and/or sustainable urban neighbourhoods, while Qatar and Abu Dhabi have a small number of very large ones. From the three, it is currently Dubai which has taken the lead in this development, largely completing its industrial transition with vast economic diversification and urban expansion. However, across the board this has had little effect on its ecological footprint.
Martin De Jong; Thomas Hoppe; Negar Noori. City Branding, Sustainable Urban Development and the Rentier State. How Do Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Present Themselves in the Age of Post Oil and Global Warming? Energies 2019, 12, 1657 .
AMA StyleMartin De Jong, Thomas Hoppe, Negar Noori. City Branding, Sustainable Urban Development and the Rentier State. How Do Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Present Themselves in the Age of Post Oil and Global Warming? Energies. 2019; 12 (9):1657.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin De Jong; Thomas Hoppe; Negar Noori. 2019. "City Branding, Sustainable Urban Development and the Rentier State. How Do Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Present Themselves in the Age of Post Oil and Global Warming?" Energies 12, no. 9: 1657.
Little is known about how renewable energy cooperatives (REScoops) try to influence energy conservation among households and the resulting impact. In this article the main research question is: What is the predictive value of renewable energy cooperatives on intention to save energy, engagement in energy-saving actions, and self-reported energy conservation by households? A survey was conducted to answer this question. Data analysis involved multivariate and binary logistic regression on data from two cooperatives: Ecopower (Belgium; N = 1000) and Enercoop (France; N = 8290). Results show that in addition to psychological and socio-demographic variables, REScoop items modestly contribute to the explained variation in engagement in energy-saving actions and reported energy conservation. At Enercoop 18.2% of the respondents indicated that their cooperative contributed to household energy savings; for Ecopower this figure was 36.9%. Moreover, at Enercoop, 38.7% of the respondents reported consuming less energy since obtaining cooperative membership; at Ecopower this was 64.7%. The article concludes with suggestions for future research.
Thomas Hoppe; Frans H. J. M. Coenen; Maria T. Bekendam. Renewable Energy Cooperatives as a Stimulating Factor in Household Energy Savings. Energies 2019, 12, 1188 .
AMA StyleThomas Hoppe, Frans H. J. M. Coenen, Maria T. Bekendam. Renewable Energy Cooperatives as a Stimulating Factor in Household Energy Savings. Energies. 2019; 12 (7):1188.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas Hoppe; Frans H. J. M. Coenen; Maria T. Bekendam. 2019. "Renewable Energy Cooperatives as a Stimulating Factor in Household Energy Savings." Energies 12, no. 7: 1188.
The transition to low carbon energy systems cannot solely rely on technological innovation. It also requires social innovation. In the context of energy transition social innovation can be defined as innovation that is social in its means and which contributes to low carbon energy transition, civic empowerment and social goals pertaining to the general wellbeing of communities. This article presents the editorial comment of the special issue “Social Innovation and the Energy Transition”. It seeks to answer the questions, “what does social innovation mean in the face of energy transition, and what are its implications?” This special issue yields 20 article contributions by authors from different academic disciplines within the behavioral and social sciences. From these contributions, key topics relevant to social innovation emerge, pertaining to: (i) technological innovation leading to new market models, actor configurations, and institutional settings creating room for social innovation; (ii) new governance arrangements; (iii) community energy, its impact, implications, and social incentives and policy to empower it; (iv) new participative research approaches to test and learn from livings labs and best practices; (v) ‘green nudges’ to stimulate behavioral change; and (vi), serious energy games. The editorial ends with suggestions for future research.
Thomas Hoppe; Gerdien De Vries. Social Innovation and the Energy Transition. Sustainability 2018, 11, 141 .
AMA StyleThomas Hoppe, Gerdien De Vries. Social Innovation and the Energy Transition. Sustainability. 2018; 11 (1):141.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas Hoppe; Gerdien De Vries. 2018. "Social Innovation and the Energy Transition." Sustainability 11, no. 1: 141.
This article analyzes ‘rules of the game’ that influence decision-making concerning the introduction of smart energy systems. Smart energy systems are considered as a solution to optimize and make energy systems ‘future-proof’. Their introduction, however, is challenged by a complex multi-stakeholder configuration, and by ‘rules of the game’ (institutional conditions) which are essential for the cooperation between stakeholders but perceived to be outdated. To address this issue, the central research question in this article is: ‘which institutional conditions enable or disable decision-making processes regarding the introduction of smart energy systems in selected city district development projects?’ We conducted in-depth interviews and collected secondary data for four case studies in the Netherlands. Data were analysed, and cases were compared using the Institutional Analysis and Development framework, and the method of causal process tracing. The results reveal that only stakeholders in the position of project leader were actively pursuing the projects’ goals (position rules), legal barriers as well as path dependency of previous decisions limited the available choices (choice rules), and agreement was lacking on sharing costs and benefits (aggregation rules). As ‘rules of the game’ for decision-making continue to present a challenge for the introduction of smart energy systems, future research and policy-making should pay attention to the creation and adequate orchestration of such rules.
Imke Lammers; Thomas Hoppe. Watt rules? Assessing decision-making practices on smart energy systems in Dutch city districts. Energy Research & Social Science 2018, 47, 233 -246.
AMA StyleImke Lammers, Thomas Hoppe. Watt rules? Assessing decision-making practices on smart energy systems in Dutch city districts. Energy Research & Social Science. 2018; 47 ():233-246.
Chicago/Turabian StyleImke Lammers; Thomas Hoppe. 2018. "Watt rules? Assessing decision-making practices on smart energy systems in Dutch city districts." Energy Research & Social Science 47, no. : 233-246.
Cities around the world are gearing up to play a major role in climate change mitigation. However, concrete results – significant emissions reductions, expected from cities committed to mitigating climate change, are currently conspicuously absent. While there are several good practice guides available for large/mega cities there are little available for small and medium-sized ones (SMCs). In this paper the main research questions are, “When exploring local climate mitigation action among multiple small- and medium-sized cities, what actions are perceived as good practices?”, and “Are there any demonstrable effects linking them to achieving climate mitigation targets, and is this monitored?” A multiple case study research approach, using quali-quantitative mixed methods with multiple types of data sources, was used to analyze thirteen SMCs in the Netherlands. Results revealed twenty six good practices, with the majority exhibiting the characteristics of governing by enabling. However, no evidence was found that these good practices had been embedded in indicators or protocols, nor that they led to actual GHG emission reduction. In addition, action plans were found to be incomplete, in particular regarding implementation, and municipalities were found to work in isolation, with little inter-municipal collaboration. Moreover, whereas a monitor of local climate mitigation performance exists – using output and outcome indicators - it was found to be hardly known nor used among local policy makers. The results reveal a need to learn from good practices, to develop indicators that mirror these practices, and integrate them into local climate mitigation performance measurement tools. Currently, this is not the case, making it difficult to monitor local climate mitigation performance and progress vis-à-vis commitments made regarding the Paris Agreement.
Richard F. Boehnke; Thomas Hoppe; Han Brezet; Kornelis Blok. Good practices in local climate mitigation action by small and medium-sized cities; exploring meaning, implementation and linkage to actual lowering of carbon emissions in thirteen municipalities in The Netherlands. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 207, 630 -644.
AMA StyleRichard F. Boehnke, Thomas Hoppe, Han Brezet, Kornelis Blok. Good practices in local climate mitigation action by small and medium-sized cities; exploring meaning, implementation and linkage to actual lowering of carbon emissions in thirteen municipalities in The Netherlands. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 207 ():630-644.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard F. Boehnke; Thomas Hoppe; Han Brezet; Kornelis Blok. 2018. "Good practices in local climate mitigation action by small and medium-sized cities; exploring meaning, implementation and linkage to actual lowering of carbon emissions in thirteen municipalities in The Netherlands." Journal of Cleaner Production 207, no. : 630-644.
Due to the liberalisation of the European Union’s (EU) electricity sector, stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities in local energy planning and implementation are not well-defined in legislation anymore. To investigate what local energy planning and implementation processes look like in the post-liberalisation era we conduct a systematic literature review by addressing the question ‘which institutional settings of local renewable energy planning and implementation in the EU’s post-liberalisation area has prior empirical research identified?’ For this systematic analysis we conceptualised the analytic concept ‘action situation’ (as developed by Elinor Ostrom), from an energy governance and energy policy perspective. The literature review was conducted in two cycles: A systematic database search and snowballing. Four clusters of search terms were used to search two databases. The selected articles were coded using Atlas.ti. Our in-depth qualitative analysis revealed the institutional arrangements used in the reported local energy planning processes were found to not be ideal for the introduction of renewable energy technologies. No type of actor group seems actively to support the realisation of renewable energy projects. Moreover, a high dependence on financial subsidies was found. These results are useful for practitioners and policy-makers as they show which possibilities and limitations stakeholders encounter in the changed level playing field of local energy planning. The article also presents propositions for future research.
Imke Lammers; Thomas Hoppe. Analysing the Institutional Setting of Local Renewable Energy Planning and Implementation in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability 2018, 10, 3212 .
AMA StyleImke Lammers, Thomas Hoppe. Analysing the Institutional Setting of Local Renewable Energy Planning and Implementation in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (9):3212.
Chicago/Turabian StyleImke Lammers; Thomas Hoppe. 2018. "Analysing the Institutional Setting of Local Renewable Energy Planning and Implementation in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review." Sustainability 10, no. 9: 3212.
Recent scholarly attention shows that grassroots civil society low-carbon energy initiatives increasingly become part of the subnational climate change governance landscape. Despite their potency in view of consumer-owned distributed generation and enhanced citizen influence in the organization of the energy infrastructure, local low-carbon energy initiatives (LLCEIs) struggle to become viable alternatives to the centralized, private oriented energy system. To further LLCEI development, support needs to build their capacities; alleviate institutional hurdles and barriers stemming from the fossil fuel-based energy regime; and open up the system for the uptake, acceptance or breakthrough of LLCEIs. Evidence suggests that so-called “intermediaries” form a part of the solution in addressing these issues. Despite previous attempts at analyzing intermediary roles and activities vis-à-vis the development of community energy, the reality of the various roles and strategies intermediaries can employ and the support LLCEIs require to further develop have not yet been synthesized in a comprehensive analytical framework. This article aims to fill this gap by developing such a framework. We reflect on the analytical framework by evaluating the intermediary support structure in a specific case: the Province of Fryslân. From the analysis, we conclude that the Frisian case provided modest support to the claim that intermediary support is effective in addressing the needs of LLCEIs as the strategies and roles observed represent a complete and coherent support structure.
Beau Warbroek; Thomas Hoppe; Frans Coenen; Hans Bressers. The Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2450 .
AMA StyleBeau Warbroek, Thomas Hoppe, Frans Coenen, Hans Bressers. The Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (7):2450.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeau Warbroek; Thomas Hoppe; Frans Coenen; Hans Bressers. 2018. "The Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives." Sustainability 10, no. 7: 2450.
Houda Elmustapha; Thomas Hoppe; Hans Bressers. Comparing two pathways of strategic niche management in a developing economy; the cases of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy market development in Lebanon. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 186, 155 -167.
AMA StyleHouda Elmustapha, Thomas Hoppe, Hans Bressers. Comparing two pathways of strategic niche management in a developing economy; the cases of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy market development in Lebanon. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 186 ():155-167.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHouda Elmustapha; Thomas Hoppe; Hans Bressers. 2018. "Comparing two pathways of strategic niche management in a developing economy; the cases of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy market development in Lebanon." Journal of Cleaner Production 186, no. : 155-167.