Silence & the City

Opdrachtgever: DCMR
Periode: Februari - Juni 2012
Student: Sevgi Gezer
Opleiding: International Business, Erasmus Universiteit

Context / Background
One of the objectives of the Environmental Noise Directive (END), Directive 2002/49/EC, is to identify describe, scope, preserve and manage so-called Quiet Urban Areas. Currently a European LIFE+ project called QUADMAP seeks to develop methods for EU countries to implement this objective of the END

Different European partners and EU countries are involved. This particular research focuses on the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway. Other partners in the project (Paris, Florence, Bilbao) focus on other parts of Europe. The partners will regularly inform each other for example through international meetings.

Research assignment
For the countries above a desk study is required to study the methods applied, knowledge and experiences gained and last but not least how visitors do perceive quiet urban areas. In the second half of January 2012 a survey will be sent out, which will provide important input for the study.

Different countries have taken different (or no) measures so far. The available knowledge, visions, ideas and practices will therefore be collected in the form of reports, studies and conference materials. To stimulate implementation this project aims to produce a Guidance handbook which provides countries and cities with tools to apply best practices in their own context. A certain need for such a handbook has been articulated from practitioners.

Main research question
The main question will depend on the background of the student and will be finalised in cooperation with the school supervisor. The tentative MRQ is:

Which methods (identify, describe, preserve, manage) regarding quiet urban areas are being used in various EU countries and how can this be seen in the context of governance methods to arrive at a framework for most appropriate (i.e., context-dependent) practices?

Commissioning party
The Commissioning party for this assignment is DCMR, the regional Environmental Protection Agency (www.dcmr.nl) in the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area. The department focusing on Noise is the source of this particular assignment. Assistance will be given by the chairman of Working Group Noise EUROCITIES, being European Policy Officer at the DCMR EPA.

Practical aspects
The assignment should ideally start in February 2012. The student, possibly two, can work 4 days at DCMR (next to Schiedam Central station) and 1 day at the AIDA office (located in the Centre of Rotterdam). AIDA provides coaching and network, DCMR is the direct supervisor. A regular student allowance is available.

Study background
A logical background is Public Management, another option is Economic Studies. More importantly, the student needs to be interested in the topic of Noise/quiet policies and the theme of how to implement EU rules effectively in a country. Reading skills in French is recommended.

Interested, send your CV and motivation asap to Wouter Kersten (wouter@enviu.org) Neem contact op voor meer informatie