Citizens of Almelo wanted their city, more precisely their neighbourhood (Nieuwstraatkwartier) to look better and so to improve their quality of life. They suggested the following improvements:

What would you do with two million euros? was the question put to the residents. They decided their district should be spruced up and the litter removed. At the same time work had to be done on encouraging community spirit and getting more residents involved in local affairs.
In terms of area the Nieuwstraatkwartier is Almelo's smallest district, with a population of something over 3,400. The district was already the subject of attention. The district's central backbone is the Nieuwstraat, with its many shops. The district is characterised by many narrow streets with a high proportion of pre-war housing stock.

On ten afternoons at the end of 2001 an enthusiastic group of people with a caravan went along every street in the district, asking people what they would do with two million euros. This unorthodox approach produced responses from over six hundred local residents. The next step was a large evening meeting for the whole district. Here residents were invited to indicate the priorities for their street. The evening was attended by over four hundred people.
To be sure that priorities were set correctly, residents were invited from each street in turn for a third opportunity to express their wishes and requirements under the OBAZ scheme. To this end street meetings were held, after which projects were prepared for implementation.

Local residents carried out a blitz on the districts front gardens (for which the city has provided fences) and the park has been spruced up. These minor changes have brought a considerable improvement in the general atmosphere within the district. Residents now have a sense of pride when they walk in the street; and they keep it clean.

Resources from the Dutch Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations.

City of Almelo, Department of Administrative Support, Policy Coordination and Research
Peter van Heteren, tel. +31 54 6541356

01/11/2003

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Citizens' participation