The local government wants to have closer contact with their residents and not only improve on the services they provide, but also adjust to the needs of residents. The idea is also for a culture of participation to be established. The contact points must finally also evaluate the flexibility of the communication structure and the involvement of the various neighbourhoods.

The territory of Saint Gilles is divided into four boroughs. Neighbourhood contact points were opened in each of these boroughs. These contact points function as decentralized offices of the administration. They are open to residents for very long hours and are available for local issues such as housing, hygiene, work, the road infrastructure, public areas, security, culture, sport, etc. There is close cooperation with various parties in the field (urban stewards, supervisors of public areas, security and prevention assistants, community police officers, street-level workers, hygiene officers, etc.)

The neighbourhoods contact points maintain long opening hours where residents and traders from the area are informed and assisted to find the appropriate community services. It must be assured that their remarks and complaints are afforded the necessary attention. Findings in the field must also be followed up on, such as from security and prevention assistants, city stewards, street-level workers, hygiene officers, etc.). There must also be proactively worked on establishing a sensitising campaign with various themes or conducting public communication on fixed community specific themes. Terminals must also be installed in all contact points, as part of the battle against the digital gap, in order for residents to have access to official internet sites.

The aim is in the first instance to improve coordination with the various parties involved, which also includes improved communication. Certain administrative procedures must also be shortened and feedback must be given much sooner on tangible, daily files, such as repairing damaged city equipment or streetlights. The contact points must provide residents with information through daily operation, surveys and various activities, but they must also ensure that they are well informed of activities. Finally, the contact points must be more than simply information points, they must also be places where residents of the community are welcome to actively participate in live in their community. Preliminary data indicate that most residents are already familiar with the way the contact points are operating.

The residents of the relevant boroughs first of all, as well as various parties involved in the field that want their activities to be better coordinated and appreciated.

During the period from 2000 – 2004 around € 2,027,600 was spent on the contact points, with roughly half of that going to personnel costs. Funds are spent on personnel costs, starting up the centres, installation of computer terminals, sensitization campaigns, organization of and participation in community events. Around € 1,209,370 is estimated for the period 2005 – 2007.

Urban Policy Coordination Department Saint Gilles
Saint-Gilles (Brussels)
Belgium
http://www.stgilles.irisnet.be
Mr. Alain Hennes, tel. +32 2 534 46 48

01/01/2000

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Social services