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The Assetmanagement chair conducts research into effective and efficient long-term management of the assets that determine the liveability and sustainability of the South-western Delta. The group brings together researchers, students, professionals from the field and policy makers. Asset management is about the management of business assets, usually in public space or as part of the infrastructure. Examples are bridges, roads, locks, traffic control centres, sewers and green spaces. StrategiesThe researchers develop strategies based on performance, costs and risks. With strategic asset management, they focus on the newest markets and technical developments, the management of assets with new techniques and innovative methods and smart and data driven asset management. The latter will become more important in the future. Themes such as circularity, extending the life span and climate adaptation are also becoming increasingly important within the research area. With their research, the researchers ensure that the region remains safe, sustainable, attractive and accessible. Another important task is to increase knowledge about asset management. The researchers do this both by teaching students and by providing courses and workshops. Regional partnersThe research group works together with partners in the region who manage the assets. These include major players such as Rijkswaterstaat, the province, Waterschap Scheldestromen, North Sea Port, the Zeeland municipalities and KIC/MPI. The chair shares knowledge with these partners so that asset managers in the South-western Delta can continue to develop.
Being located in a delta region, HZ deals with the challenges of coastal deltaic systems and has a strong focus on water technology. Water technology related research concentrates specifically on water quality, water availability for production (industry, agriculture and aquaculture), water (re)use efficiency, recovery of resources and monitoring of water filtration systems. The Water Technology research group is acknowledged for its knowledge in the field, its independence and collaborative regional, national and international network. The technological research capabilities are enhanced with a strong expertise in defining and effectively addressing the needs of various stakeholders. By adding an in-depth perspective on stakeholders’ requirements early on in projects, the rate of adoption and the added value of new technology, may be increased significantly.
The Supply Chain Innovation research group of HZ University of Applied Sciences, together with companies and governments in the region, is researching how innovations can make the logistics chains in Zeeland more efficient, more responsive, more sustainable and more competitive. We analyse the opportunities and the impact of new technology, the added value and conditions for successful collaboration in chains and the characteristics of new business models when introducing new concepts. Because logistics is a ‘global playing field’, we work together with research universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands and abroad and we examine the position of logistics companies in Zeeland within the context of international supply chains. The research group works closely together with the Zeeland innovation platforms Zeeland Connect and Food Delta Zeeland to identify innovation needs and research questions. The themes on which the Research Group conducts research are: Logistical flows and connections: The economy in Zeeland and in particular the port can only continue to compete if the connections to the hinterland are reliable and good. We investigate how companies can collaborate to strengthen hinterland connections and realise bundling of cargo to new hinterland services.Zero Emission Logistics: For the logistics sector, the ambition of the Paris Climate Agreement means a transition to clean energy carriers. The transition process to reach these targets is difficult and complex for many stakeholders, including logistics service providers. We conduct research into logistical innovations needed to be able to introduce zero emissions, the investment decisions that companies must make and the required loading and refueling infrastructure in Zeeland. Digitization and robotization: With digitization and robotization, companies are becoming more responsive and less sensitive to labour availability. We investigate how companies can automatically register and process data and information and robotize processes.Autonomous Transport: In the next ten years, ‘connected’ vehicles, such as truck platooning, will be introduced for the first time on a large scale in the Netherlands and then steps will be taken to introduce fully autonomous vehicles. Autonomous ships will also make their appearance in the next ten years. We investigate how companies can use this technology and what adjustments are needed for this within companies and in the infrastructure. The knowledge developed makes the research group available to companies in the region. Curious about what the research group can do for you? Feel free to contact one of our researchers,
The research group Resilient Deltas conducts practice-based research into how to design a delta area as safe as possible and how to use the power of society, government and business for a vital and resilient delta. Resilient Deltas examines the relationship between land use, social capital, the economy and the vital infrastructure of delta regions. It also takes a closer look at the governance of water safety and area development processes, so that an integrated picture emerges. Based on this insight, the research group is looking for a dynamic balance that will enable society in delta regions to develop in a resilient, vital and safe manner. Self-relianceThe research project of the same name investigated how resilient a community is after a disaster, such as a flood. The research group also investigated the professional and the self-reliant community. This research provided an insight into available scientific knowledge about self-reliance, the motivation of citizens for self-reliance and tools for professionals to fulfil the changing professional role in a self-reliant society. The research group works together with parties such as Safety Region Zeeland, the province, Rijkswaterstaat Sea & Delta and municipalities
The research group Elderly Care conducts research into innovations in elderly care based on issues from practice. "Innovations with which we can ultimately improve the quality of life of the elderly," says Gerda Andringa, Lecturer. According to her, innovating in elder care is necessary for the quality of elder care in the province, because of the ageing of the population, sharp increases in the cost of care and shortages on the labour market. Moreover, elder care has an image problem. In Zeeland, the quality of care is still high, but there are concerns about the ageing population and young people moving away.
The research group Marine Biobased Specialties (MBBS) aims to use marine biomass and the substances you can obtain from it sustainably in the transition to a bio-circular economy. The professorship, which was established in 2017, is still based in Vlissingen, but as soon as the Joint Research Centre Zeeland (JRCZ) is completed, the researchers will move to the new research centre at Het Groene Woud in Middelburg. FocusThe research group is firmly rooted in the South-western Delta and Zeeland in particular. "With our research we want to contribute to sustainability, knowledge development and innovation in the region. We focus on the transition of the food chain and biobased applications", says researcher Tanja Moerdijk. Marine Biobased Specialties innovates around low trophic biomass, such as (micro)algae and seaweed, valuable food production and biobased applications. "Seaweed is a sustainable source of protein, but is still relatively little used. We are good at researching taste, which is very specific, smell and texture of this biomass. That knowledge is important if you want to process the products and make them part of the food chain. Consumers are not yet convinced of the value of marine biomass. Our research plays a major role in this. If seaweed becomes more established, Europe will also become less dependent on imports of protein-rich crops such as soya. Marine Biobased Specialties wants to help shape the protein transition here, putting the region in the national and international spotlight. A third point on which the professorship focuses is the use of marine biomass as a raw material for biobased applications. The chair works closely with the business community and other knowledge institutions. Within the HZ, there is a strong link with the Chemistry programme. "As a lectorate, we feed the course with relevant case studies, but we also try to teach students entrepreneurial skills, for example."
Tourism, vitality, exercise, wellness, health and Zeeland. What happens when you look for the interfaces between these subjects? The research group Healthy Region is investigating crossovers between the health of citizens and tourists and the characteristic environmental factors of Zeeland. To this end, the researchers work together with students, entrepreneurs, administrators and civilians. This results in knowledge with which services and products related to healthy living are better attuned to the changing needs of residents and tourists. In this way, the research group contributes to the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of tourism and the economy in Zeeland. There is also social value, because residents can make use of the innovative services and products. Three themes are the common thread in the research projects of Healthy Region. Healthy LivingHow can citizens develop and maintain a vital lifestyle? What activities and facilities in the area of well-being, health and vitality contribute to this? And how can care and welfare systems innovate and become more sustainable? Healthy LifestyleMovement and sports are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. How can you stimulate an active lifestyle for both residents and tourists? What effect do the sports and exercise facilities in a healthy region have on this? And what technologies can be used to achieve this? In this theme, exercise and sport are related to vitality, well-being and healthy living and ageing. Healthy HospitalityHow can you link tourism and healthcare so that you create new opportunities to put Zeeland on the map as a healthy region? This theme links two very diverse sectors. Lector Olaf Timmermans delivered his inaugural speech 'Crossing over to a healthy region on 11 June 2015.
HZ Center for Community Research Zeeland conducts research on social and, if required, economic issues in Zeeland. The researchers thus recognise, describe and analyse trends and developments in Zeeland. With this knowledge and deepening, the knowledge centre wants to contribute to the quality of life in Zeeland. By monitoring and researching what residents think, experience and do, by actively involving residents in thinking about the research topics, informing them and letting them discuss the results, the centre challenges residents to look further. In doing so, it also stimulates their involvement in society. Describe, compare and explain Researchers do more than just provide data. The data are a means to answer the research questions. "We describe, compare, explain and place data within the context of Zeeland. In doing so, we are mindful of regional and national developments and findings from other research." The researchers are experts in their field, operate independently, are reliable and cooperate as much as possible, on the one hand with the people who are the subject of the research and on the other with organisations and institutions that contribute to knowledge optimisation and sharing this knowledge in Zeeland. Research function The centre works primarily on behalf of the province, which bases part of its policies on the data coming from the centre. Organisations, institutions and companies can also contact them when they have questions. The research function of the province was previously housed at ZB. Since 30 June 2021, it has been under the banner of HZ. More information can be found at www.kczs.nl.
HZ Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation researches issues surrounding sustainable innovations and entrepreneurship on behalf of SMEs, interest groups, governments, residents and education. The centre helps these target groups find answers to socio-social challenges. These challenges come in all shapes and forms an can be conflicting in some cases, due to different interests. "We provide insight, create new perspectives and realise projects," coordinator Ageeth van Maldegem says. The centre focuses on improved customer insights, always aims to make an impact with its research and focuses on knowledge that allows you to develop product and business models. Behaviour of organisations The researchers have a good picture of the behaviour of organisations and know what does and does not work when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship. The centre summarises its findings in clear reports for and about entrepreneurs. The knowledge gained is easy to deploy and is used, for example, in the business network and incubator Dockwize. Whenever possible, the researchers work together with students. Deep customer insight Researcher and manager Ageeth van Maldegem holds a PhD from Cranfield University in the UK. She studied how organisations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create and use deep customer insight in innovation projects. The results of the doctoral research are reflected in concrete manuals and applied in study programmes at HZ. The research can be read here.
HZ Coastal Tourism Knowledge Centre (KCKT) is the knowledge partner in the leisure domain in Zeeland. As part of HZ University of Applied Sciences, it has access to a rich knowledge network of research, policy and practice. KCKT answers questions from entrepreneurs, governments and social organisations through knowledge development and knowledge transfer. The goal is to stimulate sustainable innovation of the leisure domain in Zeeland. In addition, KCKT supports the government in making strategic choices that create a playing field for businesses. The researchers always take into account the common interest for the region and the balance between inhabitants, economy, nature and living environment. In answering the questions, the knowledge centre makes use of the domains of the HZ, varying from economy, care and welfare to ICT and area development. The practical case studies are in turn used in the HZ's courses. This creates optimal cross-fertilisation. Research and generating facts and figuresKCKT measures tourism and visualises the behaviour of guests. It conducts research into the wishes, needs and experiences of guests. It also studies the impact of tourism on the region, in economic and social terms. To do this, KCKT uses various research methods and utilises a wide variety of data, including big data. Translating and interpretingKCKT shares knowledge about the leisure domain in Zeeland. Thanks to research and knowledge of the region, it can interpret facts and figures. The knowledge centre shows connections, explains the figures and places them in perspective of current trends and expected developments. Guiding and connectingKCKT's knowledge is a building block that entrepreneurs, governments and other stakeholders can use to make choices. The knowledge centre is happy to assist in this selection process and brings parties into contact with each other so that developments can be achieved collectively.