EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Ghent City Contract 2005-2007

Ghent City Contract 2005-2007

Introduction

Ghent's urban policy programme 2005-2007 focuses on three major objectives: a balanced development of neighbourhoods, a strong social cohesion in neighbourhoods and a healthy city in a healthy environment.

Problem

The actions of Ghent's urban policy programme 2005-2007 focus on depressed neighbourhoods where people are hard at work to improve the quality of life, social cohesion and health.

Description

To achieve sustainable and integrated neighbourhood development we are working on rearranging public spaces. Through city renovation projects in the 19th century belt – such as the "Bruggen naar Rabot" and "Zuurstof voor de Brugse Poort" projects – streets and neighbourhood parks are being (re)built and strategic purchases are being made, all in consultation with the local residents. At the same time, neighbourhoods are further developed by optimizing the number of government services offered in four depressed neighbourhoods (Rabot, Muide-Meulestede, Dampoort-Heirnis and Nieuw Gent-Steenakker).
A second objective is to improve social integration of the residents with their urban environment and to strengthen the social cohesion of the city's neighbourhoods. In order to tighten the social fabric, Ghent's asylum and refugee policy is being coordinated and field workers are sent into the special interest neighbourhoods. In addition, social cohesion is promoted by working towards a safe and pleasant living environment.

Approach

The Urban Policy Programme also tries to contribute to better health and an improved environment in the troubled neighbourhoods. Here, we also focus on promoting the health of a number of specific target groups, such as drug users who inject themselves and boy prostitutes. The support and care services for these groups will be expanded.

Results

An evaluation of the Ghent City Contract will be made by the end of its duration.

Resources used

Parenting situations and truancy are being handled preventively, as are human trafficking, fake marriages and prostitution.
The approximate budget for the multi-year programme is €15,486,027.

Contact info

Service Urban Policy
Onderstraat 22 (Hof van Ryhove),
9000 Ghent
Belgium
Mr. Joris Demoor (Administrative Coordinator), tel. +32 (0)9 266 53 28

Project start date

//2005

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Security & crime prevention, Social inclusion & integration

Institutional characteristics
National Government