Research Jana Deforche | Jana Deforche

Research team

Expertise

Jana Deforche holds a PhD in social science with expertise in multilevel governance contexts, federal systems, European politics and public administration issues. Besides academic research and teaching experience (2006_2013), she was involved in dozens of (European) innovation projects in quadrupli helix context as coordinator of innovation at city of Antwerp (2014-2020). Since 2021 she is domain valorization manager metropolitanism at UAntwerpen and executive director of Design Sciences Hub. Research interests: energy, environment, climate, participation issues, (social) innovation, metropolitanism, living labs, design sciences

Rewild the City 01/12/2024 - 31/05/2028

Abstract

Planetary boundaries, No Net Land Take and the doughnut model all highlight the urgent need for a paradigm shift in urban planning and growth. However, translating these models into reality presents significant challenges. Greening initiatives are hindered by financial constraints, limited support, and capacity issues. While some pilot projects have been successful, there is a pressing need to go from pilot projects to full scale transition.REWILD aims to - overcome barriers hindering rewilding and desealing initiatives, - implement successful pilots and test solutions in three neighbourhoods in Ghent, - develop a strategy to realise "No Net Land Take" and reduce soil sealing. This strategy will be based on scientific facts & figures, translating them into indicators, priorities, and actions. It will operate within resource constraints, ensuring an equitable distribution of responsibilities and benefits, thereby maximizing its transformative potential. At the city scale, there is currently no framework like this in Europe, and projects engaging stakeholders to de-seal private properties are rare. Three of Ghent's most vulnerable neighbourhoods will gain in terms of biodiversity, climate resilience, health and wellbeing, play areas, and more, with the introduction of eight rewilded public spaces and additional rewilded private properties. The project will equip the city to implement the strategy and developed solutions and replicate its positive impact in other places.

Researcher(s)

Promoter: Coppens Tom
Co-promoter: Compernolle Tine
Co-promoter: Deforche Jana

Research team(s)

Research Group for Urban Development

Project type(s)

Research Project

Metropolitanism, Smart Cities, Mobility & Logistics (DSH) 01/12/2020 - 31/12/2023

Abstract

Antwerp is the economic stronghold of Flanders, thanks to its world port, the second largest chemical cluster, a strong creative sector, but above all a joint ambition to grow the region through innovation. The university's role has broadened to become a driving force for innovation, an innovative regional force in knowledge-intensive ecosystems. On the one hand by delivering well-trained people; on the other hand, by responding to the specific needs of the innovation ecosystem in which the university is embedded. Based on the strengths of the University of Antwerp combined with the characteristics of the Antwerp ecosystem, the university focuses on three valorisation domains. A pre-incubation structure is being set up within each of these domains to support and strengthen the valorisation processes within these different domains. This is an open innovation hub where physically the different actors of the relevant innovation ecosystem can meet to work together on innovation projects and to follow training programs. One of these valorisation domains set up is metropolitan areas, smart city, mobility and logistics. In this domain, collaborations on IoT and AI projects with applications in smart city, smart industry, smart port and logistics, smart mobility and smart building are set up from The Beacon. The Beacon is the result of a unique collaboration between the city, the port, the university, IMEC, Lantis and Agoria.