Research projects

How has the Flemish coastal landscape evolved over the past 5000 years, both at sea and on land? Which areas were flooded and eroded during storm surges? What archaeological traces of past habitation and exploitation are preserved on land and in the sea?                          

More and more people are convinced of the importance of living in an environment that offers ample opportunities for physical activity. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to this, as many people rediscovered their own neighborhoods during lockdowns.                            

The city of Bruges owns a diverse and rich heritage, comprising more than 500 buildings, making it one of the largest property owners in Bruges and its surrounding areas. The city aims to be a pioneer in new developments.                                                           

In the design.nexus research group at Ghent University, a methodology was developed during a doctoral study to simplify and make the manual assembly process more intuitive, even during the product development stage.                                                                 

The Blue BALANCE project aims to create support among citizens and tourists for sustainable economic activities along the coast (including coastal protection, blue food, renewable energy, ports, and tourism).                                                                        

How does listening to music affect brain development? The KidBeats project considers music as a crucial factor in children's development, although technology isn't fully prepared to bridge the gap between musicians and children.                                                    

Research indicates that socially active sports practices are empowering and contribute to a positive perception of young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods.                                                                                                                         

Internationally, there is a growing trend of cross-over collaborations between the gaming industry and the music sector, experimenting with virtual productions.                                                                                                                        

The D4E1 Lab (Design for Everyone) within the Industrial Design Center (IDC) is one of the pioneers in human-centered and participatory healthcare innovation in Flanders, with successful projects like Makerhealth and Makeability.