Few studies have investigated staying intentions and house attachment of residents who are confronted with physical damage to their dwelling in a risk area. This paper examines whether and how homeowners who are confronted with human-induced risks and the consequences of gas extraction in the Dutch Groningen rural earthquake region are attached to their damaged dwellings and why they stay. A content analysis was performed on 92 published interviews with homeowners of damaged dwellings. Additionally, three semi-structured interviews were held with key journalists and a homeowner. The results show that the homeowners’ staying intentions are interrelated with their house attachment; moreover, their awareness of their house attachment arises precisely because of the damage. We identify five subdimensions of physical and social house attachment, related to family history, heritage, (agricultural) business, personal refurbishment, and cohabiting family members, which make homeowners want to stay. The family history is especially mentioned by mid-to-later life homeowners, while some younger homeowners emphasize social house attachment to their children.We conclude that a homeowner's decision to stay in a damaged dwelling is a continuous cycle of reconsideration and renegotiation, punctuated by potential new risks and damages influencing the house attachment and staying intentions. Based on the found dimensions of house attachment, policymakers in risk areas could apply different approaches to homeowners in case of damage repair, rebuilding, or relocation plans, as homeowners - even those with damaged dwellings - may prefer to stay.
De Strategische RGBG Scenario Methode is een zelfontwikkeld analyse-, ontwerp- en evaluatie-instrument om bestaande en nieuw te ontwikkelen stedelijke gebieden beter en sneller op hun inhoudelijke prestaties, kwaliteit en strategische kenmerken te kunnen onderzoeken. Daarnaast is het een waardevol communicatiemiddel dat in staat is om een veelvoud van belangen, opvattingen, visies en feiten met elkaar in verband te brengen. In deze publicatie is deze methode toegepast op ontwerpvoorstellen voor de stad Almere van studenten van de Faculteit Bouwkunde van de Technische Universiteit Delft. Hiermee biedt het een divers aanbod aan aanbevelingen voor ruimtelijke ingrepen voor Almere en een overzicht op welke locaties in de stad dergelijke ingrepen het meest urgent zijn.
