Field of research

• WEF Nexus
• Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking (Resilience)
• Governance
• Urban Sustainability (Sustainable Cities)
• Social Sciences

Profile

Lourens is an MPhil Sustainable Development student currently researching the water, energy and food (WEF) nexus in Cape Town. As part of a research consortium that includes Stellenbosch University, Utrecht University and the University of the Western Cape, the project explores six case studies to develop a WEF nexus approach that increases resilience capabilities in the Cape Town Metropolitan region. As part of the project, Lourens leads the V&A Waterfront case study, specifically exploring the practical, social-economic and governance implications of an existing WEF nexus approach which allows the material flow analysis (MFA) of resources to act as a catalyst for improved governance. These implications are explored to interpret if they, and by association the system that allows the approach, hold any potential to enhance the capacity to govern for resilience in the Cape Town context.

As an undergraduate, Lourens majored in Psychology and Philosophy and graduated with a BA Honours in Philosophy. The following year he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development. Lourens is currently working at the Western-Cape Economic Development Partnership as an intern while completing my MPhil in Sustainable Development.