EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - District-oriented working

District-oriented working - the Zwolle variant, The Netherlands

Introduction

In Zwolle, local residents play a crucial role in nominating the improvement projects to be implemented in their districts. Under the motto 'That's how we do things in Zwolle', further agreements are being made regarding the 'style' of district-oriented working in the town.

Problem

The town of Zwolle wishes to improve the quality of its governance and the official machinery used to carry it out. To achieve this it wishes to involve its citizens more, and more closely, in the shaping of council policy. This new method of interactive working is known locally as the Zwolle Variant. A broad evaluation of the approach has been carried out to determine its efficacy.

How can effective interactive processes for district-oriented working with citizens and partners in voluntary agreements be developed in terms of processes, substance, institutions and democratic integrity?

Description

The Onze Buurt aan Zet (Our Neighbourhood's Turn, OBAZ) project started in Zwolle in October 2001. OBAZ is an initiative of the ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. Its object is to boost the quality of life and safety of the individual at district level. The Zwolle variant of district-oriented working embraces a stepwise approach which will be supported and overseen by a Centrum voor Wijkontwikkeling (Centre for District Development, CWO). The centre will draw on the services of specialists from both inside and outside the machinery of municipal administration. To internalise the idea of district-oriented working, Zwolle council established two pilot schemes: Diezerpoort and Kamperpoort.

Approach

In Zwolle, local residents play a crucial role in nominating the improvement projects to be implemented in their districts. Projects range from a youth centre and neighbourhood clean-up team in Kamperpoort to plans for improving district street lighting and a special programme of courses for residents in Diezerpoort. The clear benefits of these improvements are:

To combat neighbourhood conflicts in Diezerpoort a 'good neighbour' project has been established under the banner of the local welfare organisation TRAVERS. Part of this project is mediation.
At the initiative of children and other residents of Kamperpoort, in November 2002 a start was made with fitting out a special place for neighbourhood children in the local district community centre.

Results

Among the people of Zwolle there is a generally felt desire for council policy and operations to be more district-oriented.
• Under the motto 'That's how we do things in Zwolle', further agreements are being made regarding the 'style' of district-oriented working in the town.
Zwolle council is to investigate ways of further increasing the participation of district residents (particularly those not currently being reached through district consultative forums) and representatives from education, healthcare and commerce.
In the policy area the council wants consideration to be given at the approval stage of general town policy to what parts of that policy can be further developed at district level.

Contact info

Zwolle City Council
J. Pleeging

Project start date

01/10/2001

Links

City of Zwolle

File without description

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation