EUKN - Netherlands - Deprived districts on the up, The Netherlands

Deprived districts on the up, The Netherlands

Introduction

Residents of a number of districts in Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen and Venlo, all in the southern province of Limburg, are socially and economically deprived.

Problem

How can the structural difficulties facing some groups in vulnerable districts be resolved?

Description

The former Stichting Symbiose has established a project to improve well-being and communication in these districts, create a learning network between municipalities and organisations, and develop an incentive policy in the province.

The three towns have comparable problems. The project focuses on:

communication between district organisations and the municipality;
residents' participation in the running of their districts;
greater participation by senior citizens.

Approach

For each of the three issues on which the cities focus, a local project has been established. The purpose of each local project is to deliver tools that can be applied in all districts, so that effectively the overall project offers triple benefits to the municipalities involved.

Results

In Heerlen a digital neighbourhood network has been developed to link neighbourhood organisations, contact officials and other relevant bodies. Up-to-date information about the district is accessible in real time. Residents are encouraged to play an active role in discussions and neighbourhood-oriented activities.
In Sittard-Geleen a 'digital district survey' has been developed with residents and local officials. Shortcomings and points for improvement are recorded straight into the computer, after which residents can monitor via the Internet what the municipality is doing to improve the situation.
In Venlo a 'digital neighbourhood educator' is bringing older people and schoolchildren together. Older members of the community talk about the past and no longer feel socially isolated. Their oral history is recorded digitally and reinforces the identity of the neighbourhood. At the same time, through their contact with young people and the digital neighbourhood educator the elderly familiarise themselves with some of the benefits of the computer age.

The results thrown up by the three local projects are universally applicable. Effectively, participation in the project delivers benefits three times over. The project is subsidised by the three municipalities, Senter and the Province of Limburg.

Resources used

The project is subsidised by the three municipalities, Senter and the Province of Limburg. The participation of citizens was crucial in order to get all three parts accepted and implemented in the communities. The cooperation between professionals and volunteers was an worthy experience for both parties.

Contact info

Stichting Hastijns
Neeke Swart, tel. +31 43 3262741

Project start date

05/08/2001

Planned end date

14/07/2004

Links

Heerlen digital neighbourhood network

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Community development