NL
What we do
For the municipality of Rotterdam, we contribute to the livability and accessibility in two neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city (Oosterflank and Het Lage Land), through design research. It is an important role in relation to the mobility transition that focuses on promoting healthy, social and accessible neighborhoods. It is done in close cooperation with residents, neighborhood associations, local entrepreneurs and welfare providers in order to sketch the current and future perspective, or vision, in which the view of those who work and live there is central.
We test assumptions arising from data research by going into the neighborhoods and testing the data with the residents and entrepreneurs in the neighborhoods; this allows us to further comb the ‘how’ question for the ‘why’ or ‘why not’ answers. Discovering these underlying needs and/or barriers takes us from assumptions to insights; something that can only be done through participatory research. Experiencing, feeling, connecting with and understanding the neighborhood and its people for several months is central to this.
How we do it
Participation
We contribute to the existing expertise with design research as a tool, such as street surveys, workshops, in-depth interviews, storytelling and participatory design. This approach enables us not only to provide concrete solutions quickly (quick wins), but above all to gather needs-level insights that enrich the quantitative data, to ultimately provide space for vision and imagination, with which we can embed a broad-based future perspective in the organization and, where possible, integrate it into annual action plans.
Holistic approach
A holistic approach that is open to insights into adjacent fields such as climate and health is necessary. Ultimate partnerships with an insights dashboard shared by different initiatives with overlapping themes is a target to contribute broadly; not only to the mobility transition, but also to the social needs of the community and to a sustainable and livable future for all inhabitants of Rotterdam.
It looks at whether people have any destinations at all within the neighborhood to go to and whether they feel safe to move freely through the neighborhoods. In order to make it more attractive to exercise or use public/share transportation, which in turn can promote social cohesion and healthy mobility. We also catch early signals for larger nuisance projects, for example, business owners can already indicate that taking the bus is not an option, as traffic is already gridlocked because it is a known shortcut.
Assurance
Bringing people closer to organizational matters and the organization closer to the people is a nice element of the neighborhood approach. That’s why we also try to solve issues directly, and get colleagues to participate in hearings and participatory sessions. So that we are not just another party that just comes to watch for six months. People get more involved because they feel heard. This creates the right environment with a view to the future.
The Result
The result of this approach is a process that can be integrated into municipal organizations, whereby the underlying needs and behaviors in the neighborhood become visible and concrete by working close to, and with, people in their housing and living environments. This leads to quick successes (quick-wins) and long-term measures that can be implemented.
Update 2024
Meanwhile, the data from the preliminary research has been extensively tested in the neighbourhoods. After which we are now using the (sometimes contradictory) results in focus groups to deepen the insights and jointly look ahead to the neighbourhoods of the future. In co-creation sessions, we explore how current needs, wishes and barriers can be translated into healthy, liveable facilities and accessible mobility for all target groups. This certainly includes (grand)children, where liveability, safety and quality of life are central. We will translate the sessions into vision images and annual action plans, which will be exhibited in the neighbourhoods in October!
