Sustainable Society Thesis prize awarded to research on earthquake-related issues

Social-Spatial Planning Master’s student Marten Hoekstra won the Sustainable Society thesis prize yesterday. His thesis, ‘Groningen Sendai-gereed?’ [Is Groningen Sendai-proof?] won him the € 1000 prize. In his research he concludes that the Groningen situation can be referred to as a disaster due to the social problems as a result of earthquake-related issues.

The new model should take social consequences into account

For his research, Hoekstra investigated whether the Programma Aardbevingsbestendig en Kansrijk Groningen (PAKG, Earthquake-proof and Promising Groningen Programme), founded to tackle the earthquake problems, has sufficient grassroots support. He converted the PAKG in his thesis into a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) model with two streams – a social line and a spatial-social line. If one of these lines is interrupted, we can speak of a disaster.

Hoekstra claims that the social line is interrupted in Groningen because there are insufficient measures in place to counteract the concerns of the inhabitants. This is why the current Groningen DRM model is not regarded as successful by managers, affected parties and society. He concludes that a model with a fully embedded social line would offer a better solution for the earthquake-related issues than the current model.

Sustainable Society thesis prize

The Sustainable Society thesis prize was inaugurated this year by the UG in collaboration with the Province of Groningen. A scientific jury chose three candidates from among the entries, who presented their theses yesterday in the Statenzaal of the Province of Groningen. A social jury headed by Eelco Eikenaar, a member of the Provincial Executive, selected the winner. The jury praised Hoekstra for his well-written thesis and clear presentation. Its management recommendations also makes Hoekstra’s research socially relevant.

Second and third prizes went to Andries de Vries and Nicky Schulz, respectively.

More information

Sustainable Society research focus
Sustainable Society anniversary film