EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Residents vote on the Internet about the redesign of a town square

Residents vote on the Internet about the redesign of a town square

Introduction

Would you prefer the Mauveplein to be a place for play or for greenery? What type of tree would you like to see at the square? What playing equipment do you prefer? What sort of street furnishings? These questions were presented to the residents of the Mauvebuurt in the Oud Krispijn district in Dordrecht. They were invited last year to vote on the Internet about the redesign of the Mauveplein. 158 residents voted in the first round, and 120 in the second round. It has been decided to continue with this form of eParticipation when drawing up restructuring plans. The Goeverneurplein is the next on the list.

Problem

How can you involve residents in the restructuring of their neighbourhood?

Description

The City of Dordrecht drew up a number of realistic choices, within the limits of their policies, on which residents could give an opinion. As many as 52 percent of residents in the direct vicinity of the Mauveplein took the opportunity of voting via the Internet on the redesign of the square. Many of these were people who were unlikely to appear at traditional resident's meetings. Many young people, for example, offered their opinion; 25 percent were even under the age of twelve.

This eParticipation project was set up by ‘Oud Krispijn Vernieuwt’, a collaboration between the municipality, Krispijn Wonen and other organisations. It was organised alongside the traditional methods that the city of Dordrecht uses to give residents the chance of submitting their opinions about renewal projects.

The organisation OnzeWijk organised the online vote. OnzeWijk is an organisation that aims to increase the participation of local residents in the decision-making process of local planning by the use of multi-media and other easily accessible instruments.

Results

In the first round, 25 percent of the voters was younger than 12; 12 percent was between 12 and 21; 52 percent between 22 and 55 and 14 percent was older than 55.
In the first round, the voters could choose between a playground and a park. There were drawings available of both scenarios. 76 percent chose for a playground in the first round.
In the second round, the residents declared their preferences concerning the details: the site included pictures of various trees, fences, benches, playground equipment and entrances. The visitors to the site were invited to state their preferences.

Project start date

01/10/2007

Links

Visit the website of the Gemeente Dordrecht

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation

Institutional characteristics
Local Authority