Nederlandschap — Emy Bensdorp
Wind turbines are appearing in more and more places across our landscape. However, this development does not always happen without resistance. When new wind turbines are planned, local residents often object. For the Nieuwe Uitzichten programme, designer Emy Bensdorp explored the reasons behind this resistance.
Local and cultural identity
The climate crisis is a global problem. However, many of the measures being taken are introduced at a local level and directly affect local communities. Changes to the environment can often conflict with people’s sense of local and cultural identity. This was also the case in the municipality of Venray, where a plan for a small-scale wind farm was rejected by 69% of residents.
Dialogue, participation and a human-centred approach
What does the arrival of modern wind turbines mean for the identity of our landscape and for how we see ourselves? Emy Bensdorp explored this question and designed a traditional Dutch tea set decorated with windmills as a conversation starter. After all, the historic windmills we now see as part of our national heritage were once considered threatening, ugly and frightening too. Can you imagine that?
By sitting down over a cup of tea and talking with the people involved, Bensdorp creates space for the three elements that, in her view, can help move the energy transition forward: dialogue, participation and a human-centred approach.
