EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network

Amsterdam: Recycle

Introduction

People with an addiction problem in the Bellamy and Van Lennep neighbourhoods in Amsterdam Oud-West are being offered a useful activity which gives them the opportunity improve their situation. At the ‘Recycle’ cycle repair workshop they can work on bicycles under the guidance of activity facilitators.

Problem

The aim of this project is to offer people with problematic drinking behaviour the opportunity to improve their situation. Achieving this aim will also help reduce the (minor) crime, nuisance and lack of safety in the neighbourhood caused by these people.

Description

The Amsterdamse Fiets Afhandel Centrale (AFAC) (Amsterdam Bicycle Processing Centre) supplies the bicycles. The AFAC collects all the bicycles in Amsterdam which are designated as being derelict or of which the owner cannot be traced. The refurbished bicycles are sold through the mainstream retail trade. Participants work in the workshop whilst continuing to receive their benefit payments. The work - repairing bicycles - will be performed in a group. Working from a low threshold activity, assistance is organised for people with alcohol dependence, using a chain approach which is person-focussed. This chain approach which will be developed for the people concerned relates to the participant's inflow, throughflow and outflow. Various organisations will be involved during the programme.

Approach

The spearheads within the Amsterdam programme document are:

Improving the physical business environment.
Stimulating entrepreneurship.
Improving the job market.
Socio-economic activation.
Quality of life and social cohesion.

Results

The project contributes to the target group's engagement with their surroundings, safety (reducing bicycle theft) and the environment (derelict bicycles are refurbished). Following the pilot phase we will work on incorporating this project within existing financing and assistance structures.

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 Amsterdam the URBAN II programme is being carried out in eight neighbourhoods from four city districts (West binnen de Ring), with a total of 63,000 inhabitants.

Financing

European subsidy: € 128.998
Total cost: € 460.708

Contact info

The local programme management, tel. +31 20 5812860

Project start date

01/11/2003

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Environmental sustainability

Keywords

Waste management and recycling