This research project Hope-driven transition: The role of hope in the transition towards a future-proof living environment in the infrastructure sector investigates how a hope-driven perspective can contribute to the transition towards a future-proof living environment in the Dutch infrastructure sector. The hope-driven perspective is based on the work of public theologian Jonathan Sacks.
The sector’s ambitions for a future-proof living environment are related to major challenges in terms of climate adaptation, circularity, emission reduction, renovation and maintenance, and dealing with scarce resources in materials and labour. These challenges not only require technical innovations but also transformational processes in attitudes, behavior, and practices. However, this is hindered by a lack of mechanisms to deal with the radical uncertainty that is inherent to transitions.
This research focuses on how the infrastructure sector deals with radical uncertainty that is inherent to the transition towards a future-proof living environment. We use Sacks’ concept of hope: hope is the journey of subjects learning together to take responsibility for a shared future, and includes an open future, and learning to embrace radical uncertainty. This notion of hope can potentially support, deepen, and strengthen alternative practices that are helpful for the transition towards a future-proof living environment. Through a perspective of social practices and sense-making, we aim to understand how hope and radical uncertainty function in the daily practices of the infrastructure sector.
Following an anthropological action research approach, we will, in co-creation with the infrastructure sector, develop and implement hope-driven interventions: instruments for language and practices that centralize elements of Sacksian hope to enhance hopeful ways of collaboration, including with non-human nature. Through the development of hope-driven cases organized by the research team, this research partly builds on already developed methods and interventions within the broader project.
More about this Research Project
Start/end Date
April 2024 – April 2028
Team
Leader: Dr. Jan Jorrit Hasselaar
Team: Hoop-gedreven transitie
Fund
Nationaal Groeifonds