The work was carried out according to the thematic Work Packages:
SEASCAPE, INFRASTRUCTURE, ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTION, MILESTONE 1: North Sea Conference, LANDINGS and CONCLUSIONS.
Each package contained modules of GIS data collection, a literature review and fieldwork at selected sites around the North Sea. In addition, the project included training modules and dissemination activities spread throughout the fellowship period.
a. GIS data and spatial analysis
The GIS data was searched and collected from diverse sources; public institutions around the North Sea, collaborative research and monitoring projects and global data-banks. Data relating to offshore infrastructure and planning are most frequently held in national depositories, therefore seven national data banks were searched. The lack of a central data source for the North Sea Region has been widely identified as a critical issue and the collection of layers deposited at the TU open source data bank stands to serve as a useful resource for North Sea research in different disciplinary fields.
b. Literature review
For each of the themes listed above, a literature review was carried out using technical reports, strategic planning documents, historical studies on the North Sea, academic papers and newspaper articles.
c. Fieldwork
The fieldwork carried out at chosen sites aimed to gain a close-up, human perspective on spatial and socio-cultural conditions. Through an initial analysis, the four sites below were chosen in addition to the Netherlands;
- Port of Rotterdam & Ports of the Humber estuary
- Dornum, Ostfriesland, Germany
- Ågotnes, near Bergen, Norway
- Peterhead, Scotland
d. Training
Training was undertaken throughout the project by training-through-research where direct involvement with the Chair research team on the North Sea Project created a natural platform for 2-way transfer of knowledge. In addition, research colloquia and workshops were attended. New skills were acquired through specific courses on GIS training and improving Interview skills for Research.
e. Dissemination
Dissemination of the project results included different formats to link ocean space to the urban debate and vice-versa; Convening of an international conference, peer-reviewed papers, book chapters for edited volumes, conference presentations (publication of abstracts only), posters and online media postings.
A wider public audience was reached through the “European Maritime Day in my Country” initiative, the hosting of a public lecture on World Oceans Day and presenting on European Researcher’s Night 2018.
RESULTS
a) Mapping
Outputs: GIS layers and compiled maps relevant to the topics “Seascape” and “Infrastructure” in the North Sea;
bathymetry, seabed composition, hydrographic regions, currents, fish populations, shipping lanes, cables/pipelines, energy installations, research and monitoring infrastructure, administrative boundaries (EEZ) and protected areas.
Maps are powerful tools of communication and the cartographic work produced during the project has been able to communicate the spatial conditions of the North Sea under extended urbanization, directly and effectively.
b) Literature review & Fieldwork
Results of the literature review and fieldwork were fed into the presentations, papers, and essays produced during the funding period, complimentary to the cartographic representations. An important result is also the photographic documentation of the fieldwork, which brings peripheral and unnoticed situations around the North Sea, both offshore and at Landings, into focus as evidence of the shape, texture, atmosphere and local personalities of extended urbanization.
c) Dissemination
Please see the Technical Report Part B for the Dissemination list according to the Work Packages.
