EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Heerlen: Multi-functional youth centre in Molenberg

Heerlen: Multi-functional youth centre in Molenberg

Introduction

The neighbourhood of Molenberg is dealing with a structural overload of young people. The social cohesion in the neighbourhood has a weak, continually crumbling basis. The available potential for organisations and a context within organisations is steadily decreasing. For a number of years, young people from various age groups have expressed the need for a place of their own in the neighbourhood.

Problem

The aim of the project is to reduce the current levels of disturbance and provide opportunities for young people, both individually and in relation to the neighbourhood. The project also aims to promote cohesion and cooperation within the district (young people and volunteers). The project must help to improve the general feeling of dissatisfaction and lack of safety among the local people.

Description

These young people want a place where activities can be organised for them. Various organisations have developed ideas to bring this to fruition. Apart from the need to create a space for young people in Molenberg, renovation of the building in front of the children’s playground is also essential.

The building will be used by the playground organisation Speeltuinvereniging, the young people’s organisation Stichting Ons Honk, and for other activities for children and young people in Molenberg. It will have three separate functions: a centre with activities for young people, play areas for children from 4 to 12 years and hiring out the facilities to other organisations in the district.

Approach

The spearheads within the Heerlen programme document are:

Innovative neighbourhood philosophy: links between policy levels (regional and local level) in the approach to problem areas.
Neighbourhood development programmes: promoting self-activation in the neighbourhoods.
Following on from and fitting in with the developments and innovation pilots from government.
Station district Centrum-Noord: station district is pilot point between the privileged and the under-privileged.
Working on self-awareness and improving one's image.

Results

The project will provide a vital centre for 12 to 16 year-olds and a centre for children from 4 to 12 years. The accommodation will also have space for voluntary and other organisations in the district. All in all, it is expected that social cohesion and cooperation within the district will increase.

EU involvement

URBAN II is an initiative of the European Commission. The aim is to support innovative projects in the field of urban regeneration in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The URBAN II projects will set an example for national urban policy. In the Netherlands, areas in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Heerlen have been allocated for the period 2000-2006. In Heerlen the URBAN II project involves six neighbourhoods with a total of 43,806 inhabitants, in the north and east of the city.

Financing

European subsidy: € 100.000
Total cost: € 277.344

Contact info

The local programme management, tel. +31 45 5604209

Project start date

01/01/2000

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Keywords

Young people