In order to have a successful Leisure&Knowledge system we have to make a short-term and a long-term program for transitions in all our proposals.
Sustainable Route
There not many steps that need be taken for the sustainable route as it will basically start from the current attraction points and sustainable activities and gradually expand.
- Technologies
The creation of the app and the 'sustainable pass' can start directly and they can be built up including the current sustainable businesses, institutes and activities, like NIOZ. Later on, more companies and activities can be involved as more and more will switch towards sustainability. Until 2020 the the whole program of the route should be complete and until 2065 it will have created a network with companies from the mainland gaining more and more fame and support.
- Actors
The actors are the companies incorporated and the tourists. The sustainable pass will motivate the tourists to be involved while the tourist offices should promote the participation in the route game. A main company should be in charge of upgrading and informing the game with new data as well as maintaining it in good condition. Ideally, the company must be from Texel and not from the mainland in order to be easily accepted from Texelaars.
- Culture and behaviour
The local businesses must change behaviour and consider sustainability in a matter of food imports and waste disposal. Being sustainable means being integrated in the route and the sustainable pass, which will lead to more customers and more income. Initially, everybody should be informed of the benefits of taking part in the route so until 2020 all the current activities would be willing to contribute.
- Rules and regulations that organize the system
There is no change in the rules and regulations needed.
Sustainable Schools
Making changes to the public system is a complicated process because it involves the approval of different services before proceeding to the transformations.
- Technologies
Innovative technology is needed to convert the buildings of the schools to energy saving. Some schools have already PV panels, so in these cases it will be easier to negotiate what further changes need to be done. The program needs some time to be finished so it has 2065 as a goal but the changes can start before 2020.
In addition to this, sustainability should be integrated to the subjects of the classes for the pupils to get to know the meaning and importance of sustainability. Whereas this would need a national change that may take a lot of time to be considered and approved from the national institutional of education.
- Actors
The actors are the pupils and teachers. Especially the teachers must have some lectures in order to understand the way of teaching a new subject like sustainability and how to integrate it to pupils' everyday life. The changes at the buildings may cause some inconvenience but they can also take place during vacation time. The changes can start until 2020 and go on in a slow pace for actors' convenience.
- Culture and behaviour
There is no need of great change in the matter of behaviour. Teaching and integrating sustainability in their everyday life will gradually be achieved.
- Rules and regulations that organize the system
The building plans have to be approved as well as the changes at the teaching program. Both actions need a lot of time as they depend on public national institutions and regulations.
Sustainable Leisure Activities
The leisure activities include owners of different businesses but with the same goal, earning more money by spending less. In order to make changes in this area, one has to come into agreemant with the respective people. It might be time consuming but if we have in mind their interests and address the right points, then the discussions can be faster.
- Technologies
The first action for the activities, should be for the restaurants and cafes to take care of their imports and their waste. Be more careful of the quality of the products they are using and start recycling their waste instead of just getting rid of them. For the water management, a system of greywater would be of great advantage for the environment. What is more, by using energy generating and saving systems (PV cells, heat exchangers, etc.) they will also benefit economically from the lower bills.
- Actors
The actors remain the business owners and their personnel.
- Culture and behaviour
Culturally, the behaviour of the leisure activities should adapt to the sustainable profile, where people should be more careful of the products their serve and of the treatment of their waste. This can start immediatelly but it will take until 2020 to fully integrate to their everyday life.
- Rules and regulations that organize the system
The regulations can be also changed in order to include the sustainable waste treatment. This may force some people to comply with the new profile, but it might be not necessary to take drastic actions.
Center of Innovation
Currently in the area where the center of innovation will be built, there is the complex of NIOZ and a campus. So, the new center has to be created based on the existing complexes but it is almost from scratch. The goal is to be ready until 2065, but new plans, design drawings, approvals and the construction itself may take more or less time depending on the whole coordination.
- Technologies
The building should be built with up-to-date technological equipment and according to all the sustainable criteria, as it will eventually be an example to follow by the rest inhabitants of the island.
- Actors
The actors in this case will change. New departments will be built and thus new personnel is needed. In this way highly educated people and mainly inhabitants can find a job, improving also the mentality on the island.
What is more, the tourists will be involved in the activities taking place and learn about sustainability, Texel's actions and the results from the researches of the surrounding institutions.
Last but not least, the departments may be financially independent but at the beginning they may need a financial support from the municipality, thus the municipality can be a temporary actor.
- Culture and behaviour
The culture of the island will become more educative and the existing institutes, even though they will not change role, they must adapt to these innovations. There won't be any influence at the current researches, but a network of all the institutes and the educative departments will provide knowledge and information about them.
- Rules and regulations that organize the system
No changes are needed for the rules and regulations. The buildings and their activities will be according to all regulations and especially the ones about the environment. Whereas, some regulations may come up for the local companies by the sustainable department so as to start switching towards a sustainable behaviour.
