Tia Renata Levi
PhD, 2025
mihtavletia@gmail.com
Ordering change: the dynamics of energy transition and capitalist power
PDF
Tia developed an innovative analytical framework that links energy systems, technological transitions, and processes of capital accumulation. Combining quantitative analysis of economic power relations with qualitative research, she investigated two major historical transformations: the rise of fossil-fuel capitalism in nineteenth-century Britain and Germany’s contemporary Energiewende (energy transition) program. Through these contrasting case studies, she sought to understand why some energy transitions lead to profound structural change while others become stalled or redirected.
A central contribution of the dissertation is the argument that successful energy transitions are shaped not only by technological innovation or increases in energy efficiency, but also by the ability of dominant actors to control the transition process itself. Her findings demonstrate how business organizations can influence emerging energy regimes, secure strategic advantages, and shape patterns of economic development during periods of technological change.
By bringing together perspectives from political economy, energy studies, economic geography, and socio-technical transition research, Tia’s work offers a novel understanding of the relationship between power, space, and sustainability. Her research contributes to ongoing debates about the political and economic forces that drive—or constrain—the transition toward low-carbon futures.
Yaara Spigel
M.Sc, 2022
yaaraspig15@gmail.com
The meaning of home, willingness to share, and geo-cultural differences: The case of sharing in Israeli tourism
PDF
During her master's studies in the lab of ‘Society, Space and Planning’, Yaara Spigel investigated the relationship between people's emotional attachment to their homes and their willingness to share them with others through home-sharing and collaborative tourism platforms. Her research focused on a fundamental question: how does the meaning individuals attribute to their homes influence their openness to hosting strangers?
Drawing on a survey of 200 participants across Israel, complemented by qualitative interviews, Yaara examined the role of homeownership, place attachment, community orientation, and cultural values in shaping attitudes toward home-sharing. By combining quantitative and qualitative methods, she was able to explore both the measurable and subjective dimensions of sharing behavior.
Her findings revealed that individuals with stronger emotional attachments to their homes tend to be less willing to share them with others. At the same time, homeowners were generally more open to hosting than renters. The study also demonstrated that people who perceive sharing as a social and community-oriented activity, rather than merely an economic exchange, show a greater willingness to participate in home-sharing initiatives.
Yaara’s work contributed to the growing literature on collaborative tourism and the sharing economy, while providing practical insights for policymakers and tourism planners interested in promoting sustainable and community-based tourism development in Israel, particularly in peripheral and underserved regions.
Nadav Rozenzwaige
M.Sc, 2023
nroznim@gmail.com
The Urban Space and the Precariat: Labor and Land Uses in the Neoliberal City
PDF
Drawing on a survey of 352 workers across Israel and combining these data with spatial information collected from Google Maps, Nadav investigated how neighborhood characteristics influence the daily lives of precarious workers. His research analyzed the connections between employment patterns, residential choices, work-life balance, and satisfaction with local communities.
The findings revealed that workers with long and irregular working hours tend to prefer neighborhoods characterized by a diverse mix of land uses, allowing them to access services, leisure opportunities, and work-related activities throughout the day. The study also showed that individuals with limited control over their work schedules often rely on non-traditional workplaces located within their residential environments. At the same time, economically insecure workers were found to be less satisfied with their neighborhoods and more likely to live in areas that do not adequately support their daily routines and employment needs.
Nadav’s work contributes to a growing body of research on the precariat and urban life by highlighting how changing labor conditions reshape the way people use and experience cities. His findings offer valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers seeking to design more inclusive, flexible, and livable urban environments that better respond to the needs of workers in an increasingly unstable labor market.
Sharon Even
M.Sc, 2025
sharoneven13@gmail.com
Rail Systems and the Decentralization of Housing in Exurban Regions of a Metropolis
PDF
Sharon Even holds a master’s degree (M.Sc) in Urban and Regional Planning from the Technion, as well as a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Haifa.
Sharon in his thesis combined surveys of train passengers and local households, Sharon investigated whether improved rail accessibility influences residential decisions in metropolitan fringe regions. His work focused on the emerging role of rail infrastructure in shaping patterns of suburbanization and regional growth beyond the urban core.
The study found that while proximity to a train station was rarely the single most important factor in choosing a place of residence, access to rail services nevertheless played a meaningful role in household decision-making. Many residents indicated that the availability of passenger rail service influenced their decision to move to the area, and the importance attributed to rail accessibility increased as service frequency improved over time.
By examining the interaction between transportation infrastructure and residential mobility, Sharon’s research contributes to ongoing debates on metropolitan expansion, accessibility, and sustainable regional development. His findings suggest that investments in rail transportation can influence not only travel behavior but also the geography of population growth and urban development in peripheral regions.
Tiltan Katzir
M.Sc, 2026
tiltany@gmail.com
Perceived Effectiveness and Spatial Policy: Perspectives of SDIOs on Their Impact on Development
PDF
Tiltan explored the growing role of Spatial Development Intermediating Organizations (SDIOs) in promoting community interests and influencing public policy in the field of spatial development. Her research examined how these nonprofit organizations perceive their own effectiveness as policy advocates, and how their contributions are viewed by government officials and community partners.
Working with qualitative research methods, Tiltan conducted in-depth interviews with leaders of six Israeli SDIOs, alongside representatives from government and local communities. Through this work, she identified the organizational and institutional factors that shape successful advocacy, highlighting the importance of long-term relationships with decision-makers, the ability to influence public discourse, and the broader policy environment in which these organizations operate.
Her findings contribute to a better understanding of how intermediary organizations help bridge the gap between communities and government, while offering practical insights into evaluating advocacy efforts and fostering effective partnerships for socially and environmentally sustainable spatial development.