Why Was a Planned Crematory in Hoogezand, the Netherlands, Not Build?
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Why was a planned crematory in Hoogezand, The Netherlands, not build? AND COULD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESMENT HAVE LED TO A DIFFERENT OUTCOME? Bachelor Thesis by Linda Kerstholt | s1959387 UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN | FACULTY OF SPATIAL SCIENCES| HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AND URBAN & REGIONAL PLANNING SUPERVISED BY P. HANNA |JUNE 2013 INDEX Index.............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. 3 2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Motive ........................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Problem ......................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2.1 Main question ....................................................................................................................... 4 2.2.2 Sub-questions ........................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 5 3 Hoogezand ............................................................................................................................................ 6 3.1 The Municipality of Hoogezand-Sappemeer ................................................................................ 6 3.1.1 De Dreven ............................................................................................................................. 7 4 Monuta................................................................................................................................................ 10 4.1 The Company and the project .................................................................................................... 10 4.2 The location................................................................................................................................. 11 5 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 12 5.1.1 Ethics ................................................................................................................................... 12 6 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................................... 13 6.1 Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 13 6.1.1 Social Impact Assessment ................................................................................................... 13 6.1.2 Sense of place ..................................................................................................................... 13 6.1.3 The NIMBY-effect ................................................................................................................ 14 6.1.4 FPIC...................................................................................................................................... 14 6.1.5 Social license ....................................................................................................................... 15 6.2 Conceptual Model ....................................................................................................................... 16 7 Results ................................................................................................................................................. 17 7.1.1 Opposition ........................................................................................................................... 17 7.1.2 Introduction of the plan to the residents ........................................................................... 17 7.2 Municipality ................................................................................................................................ 18 7.2.1 Time frame .......................................................................................................................... 19 7.3 What’s next? ............................................................................................................................... 20 7.3.1 What’s next ......................................................................................................................... 20 1 8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 21 9 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 22 10 Appendix ......................................................................................................................................... 24 10.1 Statistics ...................................................................................................................................... 24 10.2 Interview guide Monuta ............................................................................................................. 26 10.3 Interview guide Municipality of Hoogezand-Sappemeer ........................................................... 27 10.4 Interview guide Residents Committee “Het Drevenbos” ........................................................... 28 2 1 ABSTRACT This thesis is based on a case-study done in Hoogezand, The Netherlands. It discusses why a planned crematory was not build, and whether or not the implementation of an Social Impact Assessment or could have led to a different outcome. The research was mainly done by reviewing literature and interviews with representatives of the three main parties in this case. True these interviews a good understanding of the different opinions and views were gained. Examples of some results are the reasons for the people to oppose and reasons for the undertakers company to choose this location. This thesis concludes with giving recommendations how the public could have been informed differently. The people just did not want the crematory to be build, and the use of certain techniques could have saved valuable time and money from all three parties. 3 2 INTRODUCTION 2.1 MOTIVE Protests, letters, official legal objections. The residents of “The Dreven” did almost everything in their power to stop a crematory from being build. And with success. Therefore a perfect example of resistance by residents blocking a project. This thesis tries to get a complete overview of the situation, what and why went “wrong” and whether or not the implementation of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) could have led to a different outcome. Since spatial interventions almost always have impacts, it is important for governmental planners and commercial builders to think about the consequences of their actions. Especially when it comes to death-related plans, emotions can get the upper-hand, as has happened in this specific case. To mitigate risks, to gain information and insight, and to treat communities with respect, it is wise to conduct an Social Impact Assessment or use a technique like Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). SIA and FPIC are more thoroughly explained in the theoretical framework. I hope to get a better understanding of these techniques and how I can apply these in my futures spatial (planning) career. 2.2 PROBLEM The people living in “the Dreven”, a neighborhood in Hoogezand, The Netherlands, did not approve of the plan by Monuta, to build a crematory in “the Dreven Woods”. The Council of the Municipality of Hoogezand-Sappemeer eventually listened to the people, and officially blocked the plan. The goal of this research is to find out why this planned crematory in Hoogezand was not build. Was it mainly because the people did not approve, because it was not legal to build in the Dreven Woods, a combination of - these reasons, or was it something else? This was researched according to these main and sub- questions: 2.2.1 Main question Why was a planned crematory in Hoogezand, the Netherlands, not build and could the implementation of an Social Impact Assessment have led to a different outcome? 2.2.2 Sub-questions Why were the people of the Dreven against the crematory in the Dreven Woods? How and when were the people of the Dreven informed about the crematory? Why the Council of Hoogezand did not grant the building permit for the crematory? Is there a plan B, e.g. another location? 4 2.3 STRUCTURE This thesis will start with an introduction on the location, the plan and the company Monuta. This for the reader to get a better understanding of the situation. After all this is explained, the used methods of research are stated. The ethical issues can also be found here. This is followed by the theoretical framework, where used definitions and theories are explained. A linkage between the theories and this research is also made, and a conceptual model is presented. After all the theory, the results from the research are presented in the same