The final four ideas and several comments from the jury are presented below:

'Het Blok' (The Residential Block)

Apply the concept presented in the popular home renovation reality show 'Het Blok' at community level to increase the energy efficiency of rented homes. The jury responded enthusiastically to this idea, which incorporates various elements that contribute to quality of life in communities. In addition to energy-efficient homes, this proposal aims to mobilise residents, increase the level of knowledge and promote resident interaction. What makes this a rather intriguing and inspiring idea is that competition serves as the vehicle to achieve these aims. Submitted by housing corporation Woningcorporatie De Woonplaats,
Angelique ten Wolde and Irene Hensbroek.

'De Woonbonuskaart' (The Resident Reward Card)

Reward behaviour that helps make an area more pleasant with means that further enhance quality of life. This proposal takes a positive approach, focusing not on the improvement of public spaces, but rather on promoting change in the residents' homes where this is an even greater challenge. The way in which this will be achieved is simple and effective. The playful details of the idea also appealed to the jury. Submitted by housing corporation Woningcorporatie Vivare, Inez Kessels, Elisan Hendericks and Helene Pulles.

'Help! We krimpen de Dorpen' (Help! Save the Dying Villages)'

Respond to the looming threat of dying villages with timely interventions to improve their image and economic diversity and/or vigour. An ageing population poses a tremendous challenge to maintaining/increasing quality of life in villages. This proposal reflects a fresh impetus to combat this development. This aspect is certainly what appealed to the jury. Jong Woonbron demonstrates its audaciousness by addressing a key challenge to quality of life in a highly dynamic manner in the years to come. Submitted by housing corporation Woonbron Hoogvliet and Jong Woonbron.

'De Wijk aan het Werk' (Communities at Work)'

Create jobs that enable residents to perform a few hours of paid work each week for activities in their community in addition to their regular duties for their employer. Although the community work results in higher wage costs for employers, the social benefits are high. The jury considered this an inspiring idea. This proposal draws from the residents' sense of pride and responsibility. Enabling more residents to roll up their sleeves for their immediate living environment contributes absolute added value to improving the quality of life in communities. Living Vision's idea promotes this approach. Submitted by Living Vision, Leon van Moorsel and Alyanna Feenstra.

Final

The 123 participants who registered for 'The Challenge 2009' submitted a total of 56 innovative, inspiring and promising ideas. The four finalists have now entered the 'innovation phase', during which they will further work out the details of their proposals in preparation for the final on 28 October 2009. You can follow their progress and read the jury report on the website. The winner will receive €2009 and the opportunity to accompany Minister Van der Laan on a tour of communities.

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Urban Policy