Towards more sustainability to challenge the nitrogen crisis. The path towards sustainable innovation in the construction phase of Dutch residential area development.

Abstract

On May, 2019 the PAS was declared invalid by the council of state which led to shutting down the majority of projects in Dutch residential area development; this is also known as the nitrogen crisis. To overcome this challenge a long- term solution focusing on sustainability is necessary. In this research the nitrogen crisis is seen as an incentive for a structural change towards more sustainability in Dutch residential area development. This structural change can be seen as a transition. A multiple case study is used to see projects as niches where innovations are researched which can contribute to a transition. Within niches different stakeholders work together on micro level to start a change. Linked to the goal of this research is the main question: How can innovative aspects within the construction phase of residential area development contribute to a transition to diminish the nitrogen emission in the Netherlands?