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Zicht op Neerbosch-Oost
Zicht op Neerbosch-Oost

Working with residents to create a new neighbourhood

Research news item

Working with residents and organisations in Nijmegen district Neerbosch-Oost to create a new, exercise-friendly residential environment. That is the goal of a trio of scientists who will be working in this neighbourhood over the next three years. “The biggest barrier for residents is their front door”.

Three scientific fields have joined forces to make plans for a new residential area in a neighbourhood in the Neerbosch-Oost district, which is scheduled for redevelopment by the housing corporation. Spatial planner Kevin Raaphorst is (together with colleague Erwin van der Krabben) one point of the triangle, alongside sociologist Bert Steenbergen (sports and exercise) and Maria Hopman of Radboudumc (physiology). With a financial contribution from the ‘Regiodeal” programme Gezonde groene groei (Healthy Green Growth), the team is able to give the upcoming renovation in the neighbourhood the desired push.

For several years now, the municipality of Nijmegen has had a policy of promoting active behaviour amongst its residents. With this policy, the municipality attempts to kills several birds with one stone, making the environment greener and promoting social interaction in the neighbourhood. “In a part of Neerbosch-Oost, maisonettes will be replaced by new buildings in the coming years”, explains Kevin Raaphorst. “In this way, the neighbourhood will become a living laboratory for our research.”

Kevin Raaphorst

Involving residents

Based on previous research in various cities in the Netherlands, the general requirements for getting residents to exercise more have become clear, Raaphorst points out. “These recommendations mainly show that many different parties are involved in changing a neighbourhood.” He points to various governments, political parties, housing associations, local participants and civil society organisations. “Because of this, well-intentioned advisory reports often end up in a drawer. All parties look at each other and then little or nothing happens.”

Lessons are being learned from this with the new approach in Neerbosch-Oost. “We are certain that work will start on this neighbourhood. Only when an implementation schedule is certain, you can use your insights to bring about change in a meaningful way. This also encourages the residents”, says Raaphorst. “It is not motivating to ask residents to participate if nothing is done with their input.”

Attractive walking routes

Raaphorst's contribution is to shed light on citizen participation. In the participatory research in the coming years, the conditions for citizen’s participation will be examined. “We want to map out how their input relates to the overall power play, what power relations play a role in such a renovation, and which interests carry the most weight?”

Getting citizens moving is therefore a two-fold message in this study. The new project will result in an advice on how to create an environment in which citizens like to get out and about. Raaphorst: “We need to create attractive walking routes and points of interest in the neighbourhood that people will want to visit.” But there is a step we need to take before we can offer advice: will citizens even bother to participate in the research? “The first and biggest obstacle to getting people moving is their front door. How do they get out of the house? That question is also part of our research.”

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Contact information

Organizational unit
Nijmegen School of Management, Institute for Management Research, Geography, Spatial Planning and Environment Department, Behavioural Science Institute
Theme
Management, Society