A Recipe for Sustainable Living

An Architectural Recipe for Nudging Towards Pro-Environmental Behavior in Housing

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

D.R. Westerink Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

T.W. Kupers Teachers of Practice / A - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
F. Adema Building Product Innovation - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
A.M. Kockelkorn Public Building and Housing Design (mentor)
P.S. van der Putt Public Building and Housing Design (mentor)
P.W.C. Chan (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2022 Danny Westerink
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Published Date

10-01-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The rapid change in climate change and negative impact on the natural environment is attributable to human behavior. The current demands on nature are compromising the well-being of humanity’s future and putting the existence of mankind at risk. The current unsustainable way of living can be changed into a more desired, sustainable lifestyle by using the concept of nudging as well as creating a supportive environment for eliciting pro-environmental behavior. Since current studies on nudging and its potential for sustainable behavior are mostly focusing on the policy-making process or small aspects in the built environment, this project explores the role of nudging in changing behavior towards sustainable living in architecture. Therefore, this report addresses the following primary research question: What is the role of nudging in changing behavior towards sustainable household behavior in architecture?
The project explores how sustainable buildings are able to act as a supportive environment for shaping pro-environmental behavior, by integrating a Comprehensive Model for Nudging towards Sustainable Household Behavior in Architecture. This framework describes the role of architecture that, together with three other interdependent variables, affect the development of sustainable household behavior. In this framework, the role of nudging, and the positioning of nudging within the wider framework becomes salient. Accordingly, this model is used to create a dwelling complex in Merwe Vierhaven, Rotterdam, that provides this new way of living that ensures liveable, affordable, and sustainable housing.