Themes of Sustainability 

During the project, the students engaged in discussions with our colleagues about the topics and worked on possible solutions. They conducted (quantitative and qualitative) research and interviewed several people.

They worked in groups on the following questions and challenges:

• Economy and electricity grid – Develop 2 feasible solutions that reduce the burden on the electricity grid for businesses or offices.
• Water conservation – What are smart ways to save water in and around homes?
• Climate adaptation – What are the pros and cons of a climate label for homes that provides insight into risks such as water damage?
• Mobility – Think of actions that encourage people to use the car less. Consider adjustments in the layout of villages and cities, roads, or alternative means of transport such as car-sharing.
• Water and soil management – Why is it important to base spatial choices on the natural system of water and soil now?   

Interesting Information for Our Work

The research conducted by the students yielded interesting information. For example, people are willing to leave their cars at home if public transport costs are much lower and to avoid traffic congestion. An important condition is that connections are improved. Regarding water conservation, the students advise that the government starts a water-saving campaign. And when it comes to wind energy, interviewees indicate that they accept wind turbines in their vicinity if they also have financial benefits from the wind turbines themselves. 

Fun and Educational

For our colleagues, the collaboration was a great opportunity to convey their work in an understandable way and to look at the themes with a fresh perspective. One of the supervisors responded: “What I enjoyed seeing is that students can explain and write about complex subjects well. Energy, climate labels, or water conservation; they have gained a good understanding and can present it clearly with great recommendations.”

A Look at the Government

For the students, the goal was to get acquainted with the role of the province and the theme of sustainability. The students responded with comments like “We have started to think more broadly and now look at our landscape and society differently” to “I have started to see what we are already doing at home, whether we have native plants in the garden and if we can have a green roof on the shed.” After their presentation, the students received a tour of the provincial house and played the provincial game of Pro Demos, guided by a member of the provincial parliament. It was a fun and educational day for the students, where they got a glimpse into the workings of government.