CONTRA: CONflict in TRAnsformations
Polarization threatens the transformative capacity of cities at a time when we need collective plans for a more sustainable and resilient urban future. This project focuses on ways to use conflict in a way that can actually contribute to the much-needed transformations.
Introduction
The typical answer to polarization in transformations has been to strengthen consensus building among stakeholders, but such approaches are known to lead to alienation, tensions with existing democratic institutions, and an increasing gap with legal practice. CONTRA explores how institutionalizing the productive side of conflicts can increase the transformative capacity needed in the transition towards more sustainable cities.
Research methods
Through a comparative study of urban planning law and practices focused on climate transition in four countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, and Poland), we study how conflict is handled and investigate the connection with political and legal institutions to determine whether conflict is suppressed or actively used for sustainable transformation. In our four countries, we conduct the research through four urban case studies in Genk (Belgium), Tilburg (Netherlands), Drammen (Norway), and Gdynia (Poland).
We also test new ways to handle conflict. CONTRA pioneers a new model of living labs (Drama Labs) that uses theater-based methods to experiment with productive conflict.
Goals
Combining empirical investigations with action research through the Drama Labs, CONTRA will build capacities for urban transformation grounded in urban livability, inclusivity, and active community engagement, and aims to improve non-physical infrastructure such as governance and regulatory processes.
Research team
The CONTRA team includes researchers from Tilburg University, Oslo Metropolitan University, the University of Antwerp and the University of Warsaw. The project coordinator is Tilburg University.
For the case study research, we partner with the municipalities of Gdynia (Poland), Drammen (Norway), Genk (Belgium) and Tilburg (the Netherlands) as well as the IDEA Instityt (Poland).
For the Drama Labs, the researchers partner with theatres such as Nieuwstedelijk Theatre Company (Belgium) and Gdynia Glowna Theatre (Poland), as well as theatre practitioners such as Marthe Sofie L. Eide (Norway) and Taco van Dijk & Maarten Smit (the Netherlands).
Follow the project on its website
Contact
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dr. Eva Wolf
E.E.A.Wolf@tilburguniversity.edu Room M 509
