Create your own cit y

A to olbox fo r c i t i ze ns i ni t i ati ve s

Pre f a ce
The final year of our study . This group, contains; Arne Halman, Gerben Boink,
Job Ellens, Marjolein Pauly, Mark Sander van Beijnum en Maxim Weyhenke,
have chosen the minor The Modern City. For Mark Sander is this minor the
last commission for his study Urban Design. The rest of the group members
need to graduate.
In this eleven during minor this group had chosen an challenge by choosing a
international research. The research took place in the Dutch cities, Amsterdam,
Deventer, Eindhoven and Tilburg. The international challenge became active
when we looked over the land borders for initiatives.
In RDH, Architects & Urban Planners we found a partner who could guide us
in Poland and in special Ponzan. Our contact person, Huub Droogh, made us
interested in Poland, by telling about the global recession and that Poland in
contrast to many countries had a economic grow. Also the city Pozna has
recently undergone a management change. The city is changing more rapidly
than ever since the fall of the communist regime.
In Pozna we started a research in two different neighbourhoods. The first
neighbourhood is close to the city centre border, the other neighbourhood is
a relative new neighbourhood, which is build by private investors in the last
decade.
In collaboration with the different parties there will be a symposium, Cities
in Transition, in November 2015 to speak about the changing city Pozna.
Besides the symposium there will be started a new study, Urban Management,
in October 2015 which is related to the symposium . By a invitation from the
Dutch Embassy and RDH we were asked to research the two neighbourhoods.
Each city we interviewed or had conversations with all sorts of parties. Form
residents to local governments and form social workers to an anarchist movement. All these parties had their own contribution to our research.
Breda, 11 November 2015
Team Pozna

Su mma r y
The minor modern city has launched a citizens initiatives investigation. The
aim of the study is investigate the backgrounds of citizen initiatives by several
interviews, literature studies and field surveys. The study should lead to a toolbox for different parties. The basis of the toolbox is to alert and motivate the
parties on all the different options that are there to launch an initiative.
For the study a number of research questions have been formulated with the
ultimate goal to create the toolbox. The main question is: How do citizens
initiatives contribute to the development of a modern city? The sub-questions
give an idea of who the initiative launched, where these initiatives have been
started, what role different parties play, on which scale the initiatives take
place and what is the purpose of the initiative?
The research takes place in the Netherlands and Poland. Poland is 7.5 times
larger than the Netherlands and there live two times as many people. Poland
during the global recession only made growth and therefore has a strong
economy. Poland has dealt 25 years ago with communism and has since been
changing rapidly. This means for the people that there is more freedom. With
this freedom comes a chance to launch citizens initiatives.
Former Woensel is a neighbourhood in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. A resident
Maria Manders launched several initiatives to promote her neighbourhood. An
example of an initiative is the vegetable gardens that have been realized. In
the community centre is a library located by the initiatives of the residents.
The Polish district azarz in Pozna has gone through a similar evolution. Residents have been putting effort in their district together with a cooperation.
A group of citizens joint in a community. Various activities are organized from
this community. The club exists 35 years and has over 250 volunteers and five
permanent employees. Also there is in the neighbourhood a cultural centre
located where children can attend extra free education after-school.
Naramowice is a young neighbourhood in the northeast of Pozna. Many
young families are living in the district. The district consists mainly out of
fenced apartment complexes. The fenced apartment complexes have been
built by private investors. The public outdoor area is the responsibility of the
municipality that invests little in the neighbourhood. This is causing all sorts
of problems for example in the facilities and infrastructure. There is a big

difference compared with the private apartment complexes. The local district
council is a party that is committed to the interests of the neighbourhood. This
party is committed particularly in arranging a tram into the city centre and the
arrival of more schools.
To achieve the goal there has been made a toolbox by the various parties. The
toolbox is providing a handle to launch an initiative. In addition, the network
is an initiative of interest. It should make it easier to launch an initiative by
encouraging people to consult their network. In addition, people are encouraged to look around in their neighbourhood and discover what is happening
in the neighbourhood. When taking initiative money should not be a hindrance, also the scale of the initiative does not matter. Without these obstacles, people should be enabled to take action in their district, neighbourhood
or street.

I n d ex
Preface

Naramowice 75

Summary
Prologue 9

Motivation 10
Situation 11
Method of work
12
Guide 15

Introductory information

17

The Netherlands Poland

20
Citizens initiatives 23
The Modern City
25
Symposium 27
Network of initiatives
29

Oud-Woensel 31
History 32
Description 34
Maria Manders 45
Franse van Gilse
46
Bert Kaiser 50
Conclusion 52

azarz 55
History 56
Description 58
Klub Osiedlowy Krg
68
Modziezowy Dom Kutury
70
Conclusion 72

History 76
Description 78
Pawe Sowa 86
Elzbieta Skrzypczynska and
Anna Wachowska-Kucharska
90
Conclusion 94

Conclusion and toolbox

97

Sources 103
Annexes 109

Prolo gue
.1
.2
.3
.4

M o t i vation
S i t u at i on
M eth o d of work
G u i de

1.1

M otivat io n

Citizens initiatives play an important role in Modern Cities. Citizens want to be

more involved in developments in the city, district and neighbourhood. The
government is giving citizens more and more space and takes a passive role.
Citizens initiatives provide new uses of and for example, vacant buildings and
public spaces. There are several examples of such initiatives. Citizens initiatives
are started in the wake of a threat in a city. This threat can be caused by
vacancies, but also insecurity and impoverishment.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of cinitzens initiatives in
different cities. Cities such as Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Tilburg and Deventer
will be investigated in the Netherlands. In addition, two Polish cities are being
explored, namely: Pozna and Warsaw. The Dutch cities are chosen based on
personal involvement of researchers in the initiatives. It should be different
Dutch cities to investigate the difference between governments and parties
in each city. The choice of Polish cities is the result of an invitation from the
Dutch Embassy in Poland to launch an investigation into two districts in the
city of Pozna.

10

1.2

Si t u at i on

The Netherlands

The Dutch government has turned to the mid 20th century developed into an
integrating and facilitating government.
Self-reliance and responsibility are subjects, which have a greater significance
for citizens and the government. Citizens have a voice and are able to make
proposals to the government. This retreating attitude of the government has
led to a more active attitude and involvement of citizens in the development
of a city. Citizens initiatives arises from the society. There always have been
citizens initiatives but never before the attitude of the government towards
these initiatives has been this strong. It creates the opportunity to actually
implement them into the city planning. Perhaps in the future one can speak
of government participation instead of citizen participation. Here the citizens
determine what is needed and where a budget is required. Together citizens
are more involved, which improves the social cohesion.

Poland

After World War II, Poland was ruled under a communist ideology. This form of
government has resulted in many Polish cities for major developments of the
suburbs, where the ideal of the city could be developed, and a neglect of the
historical centres, which recalled the past inefficient. This historic city centres
were poorly maintained and mostly inhabited by lower income classes. They
often lived in large numbers on a few square meters in the rented premises.
These homes are in the past expropriated from their owners. High class job
incomes have begun to live on the edge of the conurbation. When you have
enough money, it is possible to achieve in this area on a large piece of land
your dream home. This ensures a suburbanization of cities from the elite
emerged.
In the 80s and 90s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Poland turned into capitalism. With the development of capitalism is this initial higher income class
of the leased premises in the city centre in revolt. They claim the previously
expropriated properties back. The wealthy inhabitants live in the suburbs
on the outskirts of the city making. Little has been invested in recent years in
the city centre. Public spaces and different facilities are in poor condition. The
decay in the centre of the city remain the elite and middle classes settle on the
outskirts of the city in the suburbs. The city council realizes that there is a big
problem going on and ask themselves what they can do about it.

11

The Modern City

Smart City

The
Modern
Inhabitants
make the city City
Initiatives
Smart
City

Participation
Inhabitants
makeAgent
the city
Municipality
Government

Initiatives

Participation Agent
Municipality
Government

Advice

Advice

12

The Netherlands

Poland

Martijn Willems, Deventer

Friend of Job, Tilburg
Neighbour of Marjolein, Eindhoven
New findings......, Maxim

2 Neighbourhoods
Problems/Opportunities
Location
Initiatives in existing

Martijn Willems, Deventer

Friend of Job, Tilburg
Neighbour
of Marjolein, Eindhoven
Conclusion
New findings......, Maxim

2 Neighbourhoods
Problems/Opportunities
Location
Conclusion
Initiatives in existing

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

The Netherlands

Conclusion

Final conclusion

Final conclusion

How do citizens initiatives

contributing to the development of
a Modern City?
Citizens initiatives

Poland

Conclusion

What?

Who? Where? When? Why?

1.3

M et ho d of
work

The theme of our minor is the Modern City, because we all had a different idea
of a Modern City we started to share and communicated with each other.
We came up with how people make the city.
This meant that initiatives would be our main subject. This lead us to some
questions. How does an initiative work? What kind of initiatives are there?
What are initiatives like in the Netherlands and what are they like in Poland?
With these questions we started interviewing and we made our conclusions
aswell for the Netherlands as for Poland.
With these questions in mind a literature survey was performed. Concluding
this survey we came up with a main question guiding our research. Supported with multiple research questions stakeholders of various initiatives in the
Netherlands and Poland have been interviewed.
By comparing the results of the interviews a overall conclusion leading to the
recommendations can be made.
The image on page 10 visualizes the process.

Main Question:

How do citizens initiatives contribute to the development of a Modern city?

Research questions:

What citizens initiatives can be found in European cities?

Who started the initiatives?
Where can these initiative be found?
What role do various parties have within the initiatives?
At what scale are these initiatives taken?
With what goal are the initiatives launched?
In what way are surrounding residents responding on the initiatives?

13

14

1.4

G uid e

The prologue is devoted to a plan of approach. This chapter will describe

the guideline of our research. The guide is formed by the problem and our
research questions.
Chapter two describes the definition The Modern City and the different facets that apply to them. It provides insight into citizens initiatives.
Further in chapter three the interviews will be explained and visible with their
network of the city Eindhoven.
Chapter four and five will be equal to chapter three but then for the city
Pozna and in special our neighbourhoods azarz and Naramowice.
In the end, chapter six, will show our analyse of the researched neighbourhoods. What they will contribute to the Modern City will be read in chapter
seven.
To close this document our sources can be found by the annexes, in the end
we will thank everyone for their effort and their time.

15

16

I nt ro duc tor y inform ation

.1
.2
.3
.4
.5

Th e Nethe rla nds -Pola nd

Ci ti zen s initiative s
Th e M o de r n cit y
Sym p os ium
Net wo rk of initiative s

17

18

The Netherlands

Poland

12 Provinces

16 Voivodeships

Inapplicable

379 Counties

393 Municipalities

2479 Municipalities

2.1

The Ne the rlands-Po l a n d

Administrative division
Apart from the particularly rich history, there is another important factor that should be
taken into account. Poland has a different administrative division than the Netherlands. These
divisions each have different responsibilities.
The 16 Voivodeships are led by a governor chosen by the government and the Marshal, the
chairman of the regional government of the Voivodeship, and a council chosen by local
elections.
The Voivodeships are divided into counties. These counties are sub-divided into two types.
Rural counties which are controlled by an council chosen by elections.
City counties which are controlled by the city council. A city county functions both as a
county and a municipality.
Counties are responsible for the following topics: Secondary education, healthcare, public
transport, maintenance of certain designated roads, surveying, issuing work permits to
foreigners and car registration.
Except of city counties all other counties are divided into a number of municipalities.
Municipalities are governed by an council chosen by elections and a directly elected mayor.
These municipalities are classified in three types:
Urban: Consisting of a town or city.
Urban-rural: Consisting of a town together with its surrounding villages and countryside
Rural: Not containing a town or city.

19

Scale

There is a large difference in scale between the

Netherlands and Poland. Poland has a surface area
which is about 7,5 times larger as that of the Netherlands. Beside in addition, it has more then twice
the number of inhabitants. So the density is three
times lower as in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands (2014)

41.543 km2
16.829.289 inhabitants
82,9% urban
17,1% rural

When projecting Greater Poland Voivodeship next

to the Netherlands it is immediately notable how
small the difference of the total surface area is.
Greater Poland Voivodship is only 11.717 km2 smaller. Despite the small difference in size there are 4.8
fewer inhabitants living in the area. Most people
are living in the urban environment. Projections
show the population is going to decrease in the
urban areas and increase in rural areas.

Poland (2014)
311.888 km2
38.484.000 inhabitants
61% urban
39% rural

Greater Poland Voivodeship (2014)

29.826 km2
3.472.579 inhabitants
66,7% urban
33,3% rural
Pozna (2014)
261,85 km2
545.680 inhabitants

20

Demographics

Urbanization is a discussed topic. The Netherlands is one of the most urbanized countries in Europe. With a rapidly growing population in the urban
areas smart solutions are sought for efficient developments in cities without
harming the quality of life.
Poland however, has a mostly declining urban population. Only Warsaw has
a growing urban population. In contrast to many other countries, including
the Netherlands, many Polish inhabitants are moving to the rural areas. This is
causing suburbanization around many of the bigger Polish cities.
The image on the right is showing the urbanization in Europe in 2013. The
difference between the amount of urban and rural environments in the Netherlands and Poland is clearly visible.
Economy
Although the Netherlands is known as a more prosperous country than Poland
the fact remains Poland has a booming economy. Despite the economical
crisis Poland knows no recession. The figure below shows the gross domestic
product between 2008, when the economic crisis began, and 2014. During
this time Poland never dealt with a negative GDP. In 2014 Poland was the 23rd
economy in the World.

Densely populated area; more then 50% of the population

lives in high-densely areas.
Moderately populated area; less then 50% of the population
lives in rural areas and less then 50% of the population lives
in high-densely areas.
Thinly populated area; more then 50% of the population
lives in rural areas.
Data not available.

21

22

2.2

Citize ns initiatives
Because of the Dutch approach of this research also the Dutch background of citizens initiatives is used
to define citizens initiatives. In Dutch citizens initiatives are called burgerinitiatieven. Formally it stands
for the right citizens have to add an item to the agenda of the parliament. TThis is not where this research
is focussed on. Instead, it focuses on a new type of social initiatives. Sometimes in practice these citizens
initiatives are also referred to as resident initiatives.
These small-scaled initiatives function as a great source of hope and inspiration compared to official civil
society organizations. Through citizens initiatives citizens can shape their own live in a meaningful way,
make themselves useful for the society and solve problems when the government is not looking into or
where politicians do not feel they are responsible.
All citizens initiatives have a number of aspects in common:

Initiatives always arise from ideological movements. This can be caused by personal experiences,

the experience of someone in the vicinity or a social event.

Every initiative has a socially relevant goal. It goes beyond an individual self-interest and gives

value to the society.

At the start an initiative is not focussed on profit. It can, however, after time become a non-for

profit economical activity or a company.

Initiatives arise as much as possible from within the society and not from the government. In

other words, initiatives are socially self-regulating.

Although a group of citizens with a common goal can have organizational characteristics in its

infancy initiatives never have a formal organization status. In time they can become known as

foundations or associations.
Citizens initiatives can have a variety of reasons to be interesting for municipalities. In many cases it
opens up possibilities and new perspectives. They can stimulate the responsibility of the citizens and
their involvement in their own neighbourhood or city. Therefore the social cohesion and integration will
be enhanced. By giving citizens more influence on decisions the gap between citizens en governance
can be decreased. Initiatives can help to approach social problems that were unreachable before. The
municipality can cut finances and citizens can use their creativity to enhance the public domain. But most
important, it will add up to the citizen satisfaction and quality of the city.

23

24

2.3

The M o dern Cit y

Cities are changing more rapidly than ever because of development in technology. Those cities who have
developed the most are called Modern dity. When we shared our ideas of a Modern City, we all thought
that role of the government is changing and citizens need to be more active than ever.
Citizens want to be more involved in developments in the city, district and neighbourhood. The government is giving citizens more and more space and takes a passive role in this. Citizens initiatives provide
new uses, for example, vacant buildings and public spaces. There are several examples of such initiatives.
Citizens initiatives are started in the wake demand or a threat in a city. This threat can therefore be
caused by vacancies, but also insecurity and impoverishment.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of civic initiatives in different cities. Cities such as
Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Tilburg and Deventer be investigated in the Netherlands. In addition, two Polish
cities are being explored, namely: Pozna and Warsaw. The Dutch cities are chosen based on personal involvement of researchers in the initiatives. It should be different Dutch cities to investigate the difference
between governments and parties in each city. The choice of Polish cities is the result of an invitation
from the Dutch Embassy in Poland to launch an investigation into two districts in the city of Pozna.

25

26

2.4

Symp osium

The city centres in Poland

Policy of Pozna

After World War II Poland was ruled by a Communist government. During this
period cities in Poland where rebuilt and restored. The Communist rule had
great influence on how this reconstruction was carried out. The ideological image of the city or communist utopia contained large developments of apartment buildings in the suburbs around the old centre housing the upper-class
citizens. These citizens are the young, healthy and working people in the city.
Every city in Poland had its own industrial specialization. Pozna specialized
in consumables, chemicals, machinery and furniture. The factories were also
located in the suburbs.
The historical city centre, which reminded of the inefficient past, was used
to house the ill, old, unemployed and therefore useless inhabitants. This
lower-class was living with large groups in small, old and badly maintained
apartment buildings.

The previous mayor of Pozna, Ryszard Grobelny, has strongly invested in the
main infrastructure of the city at the expense of the public space and the quality of the living environment. During the last elections many thought Grobelny
would without a doubt be re-elected. But during the primaries against everybodys expectations Grobelny received very few votes. This activated the more
socially involved candidate Jacek Jakowiek to take the chance to become the
new mayor of Pozna.

After the fall of communism in the late 80s Poland found itself in the transition
from communism to capitalism. This caused the working class, which used
to be the upper-class, to be moved to the lower-class of the society. Many of
these people are now either unemployed or retired. People with knowledge
became the new elite.
The public space and buildings in the historical city centres were completely neglected. The value of the properties were lower then ever. Many of the
buildings were privatized and are now owned by the new elites. Slowly these
historical neighbourhoods were, and still are, being renovated.
When owning enough money many of the elite take their chance to move out
of the city to the outskirt of the agglomeration. Here they have the opportunity to buy a big peace of land on which their dream house can be realized.

Since December 8, 2014 Jacek Jakowiek became mayor of Pozna. This mayor
is committed to change the existing policy of the city. He is more concerned
with the social layer of the city, is an active cyclist and has a fresh look at the
future of Poland. To find out what a new policy can do for the city, knowledge
from abroad is researched and requested. Pozna is open to other perspectives and solutions from abroad but lacks professional knowledge.
Cities in Transition
Modern dity is a popular subject of debates, seminars and conferences. The
topic of getting smart is often discussed from a technical perspective. The
City of Pozna will together with the Netherlands, a country with an excellent
reputation in the field of urban planning and integrated solutions, take a step
forward. During a symposium various Dutch experts are going to present
inspiring and innovative solutions for urban developments. During working
sessions Polish and Dutch experts from business environment, scientific institutions and cities will explore innovative ideas and creative solutions for the
multi-faceted challenges that many Polish cities need to respond to.

This development is creating suburbs around the city and is now also referred
to as suburbanization. This suburbanization is in many cases poorly connected to the city and developing rapidly. Municipalities barely have grip on the
developments and are struggling with this overdevelopment.
27

28

2.5

Net work of the initiat ive s

The network diagram shows a schematic representation of all actors who can contribute to a citizens initiative. The initiatives are taken from a threat or a demand. The case-study-network-diagrams shows the
different actors and connection between them. These parties may include: residents, professionals and
the municipality. Every network diagram is unique because every initiative has other parties.

29

30

O u d-Wo ense l
.1
.2
.3
.4
.5
.6

H i s to r y
D es c r i ption
M ar i a M a nde rs
Fran se va n G ils e
B er t K ais e r
Co n c l u s ion

31

3.1

H i s tor y

The city of Eindhoven has emerged from a swamp

delta of five rivers, the Dommel, the Gender, the
Tongelreep and the Rungraaf. Several villages
located close to the rivers emerged together and
formed the city of Eindhoven.
During the Industrial Revolution many factories settled in Eindhoven. These factories attracted around
1900 workers. The famous Philips light factory
started in 1891. The city had an economic benefit
of the factories and their manufacturers.
For these large increase in population many new
houses were needed so new neighbourhoods
where built. After World War II, the DAF car factory,
founded before the war, significantly contributed
to the expansion. In 2003, over 9,500 companies in
the region employ approximately 130,000 people.
Today, Eindhoven serves as the centre of technology in the south of the Netherlands. Eindhoven
currently has 223, 876 inhabitants (March 31, 2015,
source: CBS). Of all the money spent in the Netherlands on research and development, one third is
going to Eindhoven.
Oud-Woensel
One of the labour districts in Eindhoven is Old
Woensel. This is a neighbourhood in the suburb of
Woensel-Zuid. The district is located in the north
of Eindhoven and is the southernmost city-district
Woensel.
The core of the residential area consists in small
pre-war, renovated labour dwellings. Several
domestic problem households are placed in one
32

street by the municipality and the municipal health.

Initiative Gildebuurt
The placement of problem households results in
more focus neighbourhoods in Eindhoven. One
is the former district Oud-Woensel. This district
has 1524 inhabitants (1-1-2008, source: CBS). This
creates a problem because households are placed
so close together and results in a lot of inconvenience for the residents in the district. The residents
gather and are led by Maria Manders. They launch
an initiative to save their own neighbourhood. The
initiative Gildebuurt is created to preserve the
quality of life in the neighbourhood. This way, the
neighbourhood will be safe and pleasant for the
residents again.

33

3.2

Des c r i p t ion

The district Woensel

The first time Woensel is mentioned in the history is
probably around 1107. The Kruisstraat in the west
is the boarder of Oud-Woensel but also the connection between the old villages and the centre. From
the old worker houses are the ones of the Gildebuurt and Vredesplein in Oud- Woensel the only
ones that are still present (OudWoensel, 2015).
The neighbourhood is known by the small houses.
People who live there in a one person household
should be fine but with more it becomes tight. The
front yards are really small and the back yards are
most of the time large. Back in the days the backyards were intended for self maintains. People kept
chickens, pigs and vegetables in there yard.
Important locations in Oud- Woensel
The park with the playground for children and the
dog field are the busiest places of the neighbourhood. Several people meet each other here every
day. There is also a Buurt Salon. This is a house
given by the housing corporation for the people
of Oud-Woensel. Here they can get together and
exchanging ideas for making a better neighbourhood. The people of the neighbourhood made several plans for taking initiative. For example there is
a garden where people can plant their own vegetables and a library in the Buurt Salon, where people
can exchange books, stories, ideas and knowledge.
More in the north of the neighbourhood there is

34

a mosque. The people that visit this mosque often

are not citizens of the neighbourhood.
Infrastructure
During the whole day it is a busy traffic with a lot
of bicycles, cars and people by foot in the streets of
Oud- Woensel. Especially the car forms a problem.
The parking places are small and often all spots
are occupied. The neighbourhood is a free parking
zone close to the city, school and market. So a lot
of people from outside the district will park their
car in Oud- Woensel. The cyclists are cycling on
the same road that the cars are using. The roads
and the sidewalks are in a good condition and well
maintained. Some roads are one-way roads, so that
it is not possible for the traffic to enter every street
of the neighbourhood.

35

Neighbourhood
Thanks to the worker houses the neighbourhood
has a typical character. This character feels like living in a small village. The citizens of Oud- Woensel
are proud on the identity of their neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood looks inviting by appearance.
The exterior of the houses are mostly in a good
condition. The front yards are often paved and
occasionally neatly planted. The paved front yards
do not improve the appearance of the neighbourhood. Oud- woensel is a green neighbourhood.
It has a lot of trees and plants. Some are planted
by the Buurt Salon and some by the municipality.
Generally it is maintained by the citizens and the
neighbourhood concierges so the neighbourhood
looks decently.
On the other hand the small houses causing the
problem of who may live in the worker houses. Previously the housing corporations worked together
with the GGZ in order to place patients in homes.
This happened al lot in the old worker homes of
Oud- Woensel because it are one person households. There were many patients living to close to
each other in the neighbourhood causing trouble.
The citizens of Oud- Woensel took action against
the placing of the GGZ people. Now there are only
a few GGZ patients living in the neighbourhood
and the citizens participate in determining of the
amount of GGZ patients.

36

Traffic
The streets and sidewalks of the neighbourhood
are used a lot. Because all the traffic crosses each
other at various places in the neighbourhood
this sometimes causes dangerous situations. For
instance the car is not keeping to his speed limit.
Parking your car in the area can be a problem.
Especially when it is Saturday because then there is
a big market in Oud- Woensel. The market provides
advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is
the car parking and the advantage is that there are
many social interactions taking place on the streets
which brings back the small village feeling.

Public space
Many people of the neighbourhood come together
in certain places in the district. They often meet at
a regular time. The citizens gather around by the
benches or at the Buurt Salon. The dog field is well
known for the social chat at regular times.
Because the neighbourhood is so close to the city
you will see at one particular public space during
the day some low educated beer drinking people
that are not from the neighbourhood. This place
is a small park with a bench. Most of the time they
are causing not that much of trouble, they are only
making some noise by arguing with each other.
The public spaces are well maintained with one
acceptation, the small park.
Children have their own public space in the form
of a big playfield. All ages are using the place.
Often the place is busy with all sorts of activities.
The place is surrounded by a low fence so the little
children cannot just run off to the street but really
have their own place.

37

I m p rovement u rban spa ce

Citizens of Woensel didnt know where they could walk their dogs. There was a big pollution problem of dog poop on the sidewalks. The citizens started an
initiative for making a dog field to walk their dogs. Now every street is clean of dog poop and the dog field has become a social meeting place.
38

Te m p o rar y s olu t ions

At the boarder of the neighbourhood the municipality broke down some houses. To fill up this space, so it will not be a bat influence for the neighbourhood,
a few citizens got together and made there own garden. The garden produces all sorts of vegetables and flowers. Six citizens participate in following a
course about gardening. This way those people can maintain the garden and pass on their knowledge.
39

S o c i a l playg rou n d

In the neighbourhood there is a large playground specially for children. A lot of children are playing here and even a school uses this place for gymnastics.
When it is nice weather the mothers and fathers are sitting and chatting on the benches while the children are playing. A few years ago the citizens arranged
a skate ramp for the children. This was possible through a cash coupon of the municipality.
40

S p a ce s i ncor rec t ly or not in use

Their are spaces in the neighbourhood that are not neing used how they should be. For exemple the benches should attrect citizens but instead it attracks
people you dont want in your neighbourhood. They are drinking beer during the day and making nois. Some places are not used at all. Such places are often
at the border of the neighbourhood where just a few people come. No one pays attention to these places.
41

M ove m e nt of t he ne ighb ourho o d

The streets of this neigbourhood are bussy during the whole day. This is because the neighbourhood is located between schools and on the other side
supermarkets and stores. You will find people moving by car, bycecle and by foot. The front gardens are really small and most of the time it looks like they
become one with the pavement.
42

Ty p i c a l worker s hom e s

The worker houeses are small and intended for one-person households. One of these houses became the Buurt Salon. This is the meeting place for the
citizens of Oud Woensel. Here are organised all kinds of initiative and the place runs thanks to Maria Manders. You will see on the window the special
activities and announcements. It is often busy around the Buurt Salon.

43

3.3

M ar i a M ande rs

Oud-Woensel Gildebuurt
Maria Manders is a local resident in the Gildebuurt.
Maria has founded the initiative Buurt salon
Bakkerstraat 4 by contacting with the municipality
of Eindhoven and Wooninc ( a housing corporation). The reason that Mary Manders launched this
initiative is that she experienced much inconvenience in her own street. She took action by filming
her neighbours and their dissatisfaction in her
neighbourhood. With this film she pursued the
municipality of Eindhoven to take action.
In the spring of 2014 the initiative was founded in
the Gildebuurt (roughly translated: Guild Quarter)
in Eindhoven. The inhabitants of the Gildebuurt
united and Maria Manders has taken the lead in
this. In collaboration with the municipality and the
housing corporation WoonInc, a working-class
house has been made available for the neighbourhood to realise a Buurtsalon (neighbourhood saloon). The house on the Bakkerstraat 4 has become
the Buurtsalon. Lots of initiative start here and it
has become a place to meet for the local residents.
The main goal of this initiative is to make your own
neighbourhood a nice place to live. By giving the
neighbourhood some extra attention and preserving it altogether, the well-being of the inhabitants
will become more pleased.

44

Franc van Gils, representative of the municipality

and coordinator of the district:
The municipality takes care of the financial support
by ways of coupons for the citizens initiatives with
a maximum amount of 5000 euro as example. Besides, the municipality has become trusted with the
local resident Maria Manders. Because of this, the
municipality dares to give Maria a lot of responsibility. For instance, she received the responsibility for
the financial management. The coordinator of the
district visits the Gildebuurt frequently and stands
in contact with Maria Manders.
Representatives of Woonic, Trudo, Thuis en Welzijn
Eindhoven:
They do the management of the dwellings. This
means that they decide who will live where within
the Gildebuurt. This is an obstacle for the current
residents because they have located to many people with psychical or mental health backgrounds
together in the district. This causes a lot of nuisance
in the neighbourhood. The citizens initiative had
taken action and, in collaboration with the municipality, they agreed that there will be prevented that
the problematic cases will not be placed in one
street.
Maria Manders has founded the Buurtsalon Bakkerstraat 4. The most of the activities and initiatives
were organised here. Maria Manders is a unique
person who motivates/triggers many people to

take action. She is the contact and support for the

local residents.
The initiative of Buurtsalon Bakkerstraat 4 focus on
the neighbourhood but they also organise initiatives on multiple scales. There are initiatives for a
few dwellings such as a kitchen-garden on microscale. Only six people work here but it has a positive
effect on the entire neighbourhood. It makes the
local residents proud and they like it that Maria
and the 5 others are working on this. There are
also initiatives on the scale of the district or even
broader. An example of this is an art market. During
this market, stands are made available for free and
everybody can join.
Over the years, Maria has built confidence in the
Gildebuurt. She delivered some successful initiatives and knows how to motivate people to mean
something in the neighbourhood. The kitchen-garden is a good example of positive reactions. During
a visit to the neighbourhood, a resident walked by
while we were making pictures. The resident reacted on us by saying, Beautiful here, isnt?. This shows
that the Gildebuurt is a pleasurable live-environment in general and that the residents are proud of
the initiatives.

In conclusion
The Buurtsalon and his initiatives are doing
well thanks to Maria. Maria has accepted lots
of tasks consisting of, for example, the financial
management, the neighbourhood journal, the
Buurtsalon/telephone, the flowerbeds and
developing the website. These are only a few of
her activities. She is always hoping for help and
everybody is welcome. The amount of work is
also a problem for Maria. It is often too much
work whereby she cannot work on it within the
time she actually wanted to. If she eventually
would drop out of her function, it will cause a
huge problem for the Gildebuurt. Because of this,
she is looking for similar kind of people who want
to help her and reduce the amount of her tasks.
It is hard to find people who are prepared to take
this responsibility.

45

3.4

Frans e van G ilse

Franc van Gilse is Area coordinator for the Gildenbuurt. She works for the municipality and her task
is to identify the needs and problems of groups of
people. The municipality looks at what is going on
in a neighbourhood or district and assist in finding
solutions for problems. An area coordinator is the
contact for groups of people with ideas for initiatives. This enables Franc to quickly provide the
right information for inhabitants and municipality
(gemeente, 2015).
Municipality
In the past, the municipality took the responsibility
for the city-district and neighbourhoods. This has
changed last years. The municipality of Eindhoven
does not want the city-districts are leaning on
them but that the inhabitant get to work themselves. The municipality prefers to retreat so they
give the citizens more space. The problem is often
that the inhabitants are not used to this and that
they see the public space as the property of the
city.
The municipality of Eindhoven declares that they
are still searching for a roll to adapt when it comes
to citizens initiatives. District coordinators have
been appointed as a contact for citizens committee. The district coordinator prefers to adept a role
as a facilitator. The district coordinators tries to
support the initiatives with, for instance, bringing
citizens committee together with entrepreneurs .
They also organise briefings for inhabitants where
46

the inhabitants can get to work with their own

initiatives. The municipality want to show that they
support citizens initiatives. That is why they have
adopted the theme ownership in their current
action programme.
There are different kinds of districts which are all
asking for different kinds of attention. In the focus
districts, such as Woensel Gildebuurt, a districts
disposes two kinds of subsidy, one local subsidy to
support and facilitate citizens organizations and a
second one which is in the form of coupons for all
the inhabitants to submit a request. The inhabitants
themselves do the management of the coupons.
The municipality expects that the board of directors of the inhabitants informs the neighbourhood about the coupons. The sum of the coupons
depends on the population. In the wealthy districts,
there are a subsidys of 2.50 per inhabitant. The
large difference of income between the districts
creates the gap. In the wealthy districts, everyone is
willing to pay together for a initiative.
It is possible that there are existing many more citizens initiatives than the municipality knows. This
does not bother them because it often goes well
when you do not hear of the initiative. The City of
Eindhoven embraces initiatives which are founded
by the inhabitants themselves because this is the
most sustainable.

Role of coordinator
The district coordinator prefers to adept the role
of a facilitator. She helps initiators when they ask
about subsidy, advice or any other kind of help.
The district coordinator prefers when the initiatives
arise as much as possible from the contribution of
the inhabitants themselves because this is the most
sustainable.
Example of Maria
The district coordinator of Woensel considers
initiator Maria Manders from the Gildebuurt as a
good example of someone who motivates co-occupants in the neighbourhood. The municipality
relies on Maria Manders and sees her as an example
of an initiator who can involve and motivate other
people. She transforms complainants into doers. If
she would disappear from her function, it will cause
a huge problem in this neighbourhood. The advice
of the municipality towards the Gildebuurt is that
more people must be recruited who could help her
and would take over some of her tasks. This will
reduce her pressure.
The municipality cannot replace an inhabitant or
help them out. The inhabitants must do it themselves. Welzijnwerk (Welfare Office) Eindhoven
can temporary adept a role as facilitator but that
is a professional organization. This is dangerous
because inhabitants will not take the initiative
themselves anymore. This happened once in the
Gildebuurt because it is a focus district and Maria

Manders temporary was absent due disease. In the

wealthy districts, there are taken place more and
larger initiatives than in the focus districts. Large initiatives in the wealthy districts often contain teams
of neighbourhood prevention and they promote a
caring surrounding. Wealthy districts often deploy
their knowledge background to make progress.
How it works
In the focus districts, organising a low-scale
initiatives such as a street party is often enough
to improve the social cohesion. The municipality
promotes a secure and social neighbourhood. This
is happening in close co-operation with the police,
housing corporations, Welzijn Eindhoven and the
inhabitants. Probably, most municipalities handle citizens initiatives in the same way, especially
the municipalities with approximately the same
population. Neighbourhood subsidy is taken place
everywhere and the role of facilitator is also comparable. Some municipalities try to do it different
sometimes such as giving inhabitants all responsibility and retreat completely from a focus district,
as in the cities Zutphen and Deventer. In this case,
the municipality does not set up frameworks anymore and does not interfere with anything.
The municipality gets enthusiastic when inhabitants arrive with initiatives but will try to avoid
interfering as much as possible. The intention, that
the citizen takes action first. This will cause that the
citizen will not lean too much on the municipality.
47

48

The district coordinator likes the many ideas of Maria Manders but she often seeks conformation with
the municipality. The district coordinator wants
her to seek the conformation with its neighbours.
There are some youth initiatives but they are often
dealing with social entrepreneurship, which is
related to their own future. An example of this is
Proeftuin040. This is an office place where mothers care for the children in turns so they can work
during the day.
The reasons of the elderly is related to the time
commitment and the more social contact in the
neighbourhood. According to the municipality,
taking an initiative equals the satisfaction/dissatisfaction in the private situation. There are some initiatives from youths, such as the Jeugdraad (Youth
Council) in Oud-Woensel. This is a club of youths
who have got their own youth base but they are
supported professionally by WelzijnEindhoven. In
Woensel West, there is an agreement with temporary renters. They have made agreements about
the lease so the rent per month will be 100 euro
cheaper but in favour that they actively will spend
10 hour a month in the district. This project has
continued for several years now and the reactions
are positive.

In Conclusion
It can be hard for inhabitants to start something
in a neighbourhood. A middleman from the municipality is needed for helping inhabitants with
information, subsidies and the development
of initiatives. This middleman also creates trust
between parties.
Second, in Eindhoven the municipality wants to
have a more passive role so the inhabitants have
more space to make their own city. There are
still financial tools like coupons supporting the
inhabitants. The municipality therefore has an
open attitude in the face of initiatives.

49

3.5

B er t Kai se r

Housing association Thuis

According to the housing association Thuis living is
more than only a roof above your head. It is a place
where you come home. This starts with a qualitatively good and affordable dwelling in an environment which fits with their customer because living
well is not the same for everyone.
Housing association thuis has the opinion that a
nice living environment is more important than the
dwelling itself. They strive for good quality of life in
the street, neighbourhood and the city-district. This
does not only mean that it is clean but it means
that the inhabitants must be able to meet and get
to know each other because you do not live pleasurable alone but together. As an involved housing
association, they have a stimulating role. The clients
are involved in the choice of a pleasurable living
environment. The needs of a (future) tenant always
create the starting point. Initiatives of citizens are
being encouraged and supported when this is
necessary.
Thuis owns approximately 900 houses in Woensel and is demolishing 400 houses of this in
Oud-Woensel. The demolished houses will be
replaced by new housing which is in collaboration
with the current residents.
The contact with the citizens
Since 2000, conversation tables have been organised where the collaboration between Thuis and
50

the current residents takes a central stage. This

resulted in a masterplan in 2008 and together with
the citizens they decided to build in a more collective commissioning way. A resident association is
founded per new housing block.
This entire story starts with a decision to demolish
or not. Logically, the first reactions of the residents
were negative. I dont want this or they will not
touch our homes were some of the reactions. They
decided what to do next in a collaboration.
Thuis accepted the challenge together with the
citizens The citizen is priority in this challenge and
they organise an association.
Project Huisbuurt
The project receives the name Project Huisbuurt.
The project has been started and everyone in the
area whose houses will be demolished is invited
to get to know each other. People are asked if they
need help or if they have something to offer to the
neighbourhood relating to their background. The
strong and weak inhabitants are mapped so they
can help each other.
Thuis has prepared a plan which allows citizens
to choose together an urban design office for the
project. The offices can share their ideas to the inhabitants who can vote for their favourite. Unfortunately, the municipality troubles a little bit because
they underestimate the knowledge of the citizens.

Indeed, an average participant does not have the

know-how of urban or architectural quality but
they do now their neighbourhood.
The residents have chosen an urban design office
that came up with a carrousel system. This means
that the all the inhabitants can continue living
in the neighbourhood but not in the same place
because they will be passed. Beside of the passing
inhabitants, this also positively results that neighbour problems disappear.
The role of the municipality
Important partners are WijEindhoven and the
residents associations which are subsidised by the
municipality. Franc van Gilse is closely involved as
a district coordinator of the municipality. Firstly, the
municipality was the driving force and Domein the
pushing force but in the new policy those roles has
been switched.
Much of the old policy is still reflected but the
municipality and Domein try to focus as much on
the new one. Making the citizens better is becoming more our priority and they are appealed to their
own responsibility as far as they are able to or want
to.
The health facility saw opportunities to start a
project about poverty prevention from a fund. They
asked Thuis if they wanted to participate in the
application. Eventually, the spent three sessions to
conclude that they did not involve a citizen once.

They decided what they could offer without asking

the citizens what they actually want. Consequently, they noticed that relapsing on old approaches
occurs fast and they want to prevent this and use
another approach.
Are there any visible results?
The social caf is a result. In this caf, people get to
know each other and more importantly exchange
knowledge about what others do in the area. This
concept creates shorter connections between the
professional and the residents. Approximately 40
people gather to exchange ideas. Until now, it has
been organised once but it is a good example of
how we get to know what happen with the citizens
and in the neighbourhood.
In conclusion
Thuis is a housing organization that wants to be
closely involved with the citizens for the quality
of life and quality for the neighbourhood. Thuis
is taking over the role of the municipalities and
committed to work together with the citizens
to come up with initiatives. They are taking a
professional role and the question is whether
they should citizens looser in their ideas.

51

3.6

Con cl u s io n

This network shows how many contacts Maria

Manders has in her social environment. She is using
a lot of different contacts that help her organising
initiatives in the neighbourhood. The contacts she
is using are not always professionals or the municipality but are also different companies, housing
corporations and residents. The network has a central location where everything comes together. The
resident and the location from a platform where
people exchange information. The location makes
it easy to get in contact with the right person.

52

53

54

azar z
.1
.2
.3
.4
.5

H i s to r y
D es c r i ption
K l u b O s ie dlow y Kr g
M o dz i ezow y D om Kutur y
Co n c l u s ion

55

4.1

H i s tor y

The first settlements in azarz was created in the

sixteenth century. On the premises of the former
hospital of St. azarz (located at the current Niedziakowskiego street). The hospital was to help the
poor and was given the name field hospital. In 1569
appeared fundraiser how collect funds to build a
hospital for the poor plague. In 1571 the first hospital buildings were ready. The next few decades the
hospital began to flourish and needed to expand.
The hospital, whose patron was St. azarz, was
managed by the magistrate Pozna Prowizorw,
also known as treasures or guardians. Reported
later he had a strong economic facility in the form
of a farm.
His land began at the hospital and ends at the
boundary of Grczyska. Because of the size of this
land there were lots of seasonal rural labours. They
were called Ratajw. These labours lived on the
other side of the river Warta. In the 18th century
they began to settle in Bambrzy.
In the 19th century the urban village transformed
into a separate municipality with its own council
and mayor elected by the inhabitants. And the first
industrial plants and agricultural machinery factories were opened. In 1856 they built a railway track
in the direction of Wroclaw, and in 1870 to Gubin.
Since 1889, after the demolition of part of the
fortification Fortress Pozna, began a new stage
in the history of azarz. They laid out new streets,

56

with multi-storey buildings. The main thoroughfare

has become Gogowska street. Gogowska had first
horse trams and since 1898 electric trams.

Lazarus administrative boundary is the area of

the streets: Rondo Jan Nowak-Jezioraski - Reymonta - Arciszewskiego - Fireman - Krauthofera.
Grecka and Railway - Grunwaldzka - Rondo Jan
Lazarus became divided into two parts: the eastern Nowak-Jezioraski.
(lower) and western (upper). To this day, the axis of
separate buildings is Gogowska street. In the east- The most characteristic points of azarz are the
ern part except townhouses dominated by modest churches of the Sorrowful Mother of Sorrows. Michael and St. Anne Wilson parks of the Palm House,
homes of railwaymen.
the villa Paul Uecker, indoor arena, pavilions MTP
The western part of the axis is called a luxury
and High School to name only the most famous.
district. Houses where build with a varied impressive and beautiful facade. Formed with the aim of
wealthy people who could afford the high rents.
The residents of these apartments did not only pay
for the same apartment but also for the extraordinarily charming surroundings like, the Wilson Park.
The years 1900 till 1918, was the time the biggest
building boom in the history of azarz. In those
years ultimately it shaped the look and character
of the district. In 1929, they opened the National
Exhibition, the famous PeWuK, which is todays
International Fair.
In the days of World War II, azarz suffered a lot
from the bombing of the Germans and allied, and
the battle for the city in 1944. In January and February 1945 Lazarus was the first district of Pozna
which displaced Germans. azarz became the administrative centre of Pozna. The Regional Office
was located in the building Gymnasium.

57

4.2

Des c r i p t ion

The district azarz

The city of Pozna is divided into five areas (Grunwald - Wilda - Nowe Miasto - Stare Miasto - Jezyce).
These areas of Pozna are further divided into
districts. The district azarz is located in the area of
Grunwald. The north of the district is connected to
the centre of Pozna.

young and old come together is situated. Here the

visitors share their hobbies / interests / company
/ education etc. This place is called Klub Krg and
this year it exists for over 35 years (2015).

Infrastructure
There are several tram lines running through the
neighbourhood and many tram stops. This takes
azarz is divided into a few parts divided by the
care of the waiting time in the neighbourhood.
main roads. The largest barrier is the road Glogows- Therefore the railway station, the city centre and
ka. Many dominant mansions are situated on one
the district itself are well connected.
side of the road and the other side is characterized There are a lot of cars present in azarz. This is
by labour dwellings for the former railway workers. because of the location of the district which is beThe dominants mansions date from the late 19th/
tween downtown and the highways at the boarder
early 20th century and are built in the eclectic style. of Pozna. This causes a major route to Lazars
during the day.
Important locations azarz
Next to the busy roads there is a parking problem.
The main railway station of Pozna is located in the Every small public space is parked with cars. When
north border of the district and has a busy traffic
we go deeper into the district the parking problem
intersection of car and tram. The district has a daily continues. There are just a few cyclists. Because
market called Lazarsk. It is a lively market and is
of the high percentage of cars it is not safe for the
situated on the square Rynek Lazarski.
cyclists to use the road. The cyclists often use the
Another important location is Hala Arena. The
wide sidewalks to move. The larger streets are charArena is an Olympic arena which is currently used
acterized by wide sidewalks.
for sport events and larger theatre shows. In the
These sidewalks are in bad shape and sometimes in
Church Our Lady of Sorrows, people gather not
terrible state.
only for their religion but there are also performances from the citizens of the district. Next to that
azarz has a large district park with a lot of sports
and play facilities which is called Kasprowicza Park.
Last in the district a community centre where

58

59

azarz district design

The district has a tactile barrier because of the
wide street profiles including the street Glogowska. These streets divides the district in parts. In
addition, the architecture styles also contribute
to a division. The stately mansions and the labour
apartments have a big difference in the architectural style. Unfortunately, most of the mansions
are not in a good condition. This detracts to the
appearance of the neighbourhood. The exterior of
the buildings are often in bad condition because of
poor maintenance. Some examples are the plaster
browses off. The colours of the exterior are often
not visible because of the dirt. Some facades of the
mansions are under construction to be restored or
renovated and others are partially or completely
refurbished with a new coat of paint and they stand
out in the street. This ensures that the housing,
whereby this does not occur extra stand out in a
negative way.
In general, the street has too many older facades
and poor maintenance.
Street Profile
What is striking is that the sidewalks and roads
at the level of private apartments and important
buildings are in a good condition but at the level
of worker apartments are in a very poor condition.
The problem consists of big holes in the pavement
/ sidewalk paving stones loose or missing total
hardening. Older residents or those with limited

60

mobility have great difficulty getting around. Many

older residents walk with a stick or with help from
another person. This restricts people in their movement.
Parking
There are significant too many cars available in the
district. These are parked on the strangest places.
The public space is often used here even if it is not
designed for this. It also happens that the cars are
double-parked because they use the sidewalks
to park. It was noticed that few equipped parking
spaces are available. Also, parking garages are few.
In places where there parking basements / garages
are present, the street looks pretty neat. These are
often new complexes such as a hotel or apartment
building.
Public space
The public space appears in multiple forms. The
spots that are used frequently and are well maintained are the parks. In azarz, there are several
parks but the largest and most used is the park
Kasprowicsa. All ages are to be found using the
park. Dogs are let out, children playing on the
playgrounds, groups come together to enjoy the
sun and people sport there. Klub Krg also makes
use of the park by organizing annual activities. They
organise small concerts, theatre performances and
sports competitions.
The rest of the public areas are often poorly main-

tained and are more used to park the cars than it

contributes to the liveability of the neighbourhood.
At the corners of buildings and streets, there are
many smaller public areas.
Market azarz is located on a large square. The
market attracts regular visitors who are also part of
a chat there. Unfortunately, the market is established daily on this square. Because of the permanent use of the square few other activities can be
established here. This is common for many markets
in Pozna.
Citizens of azarz
azarz is a district which exists for a long time.
Many families settled over the years in the neighbourhood. It is a district that is actively lived. There
is something to experience for every age. Young
and old gather on the streets and in the parks. Older people can be found on the banks and sports
equipment in parks and children use sports and
play facilities. The district has meeting places where
the inhabitants of azarz congregate. An important
one is Klub Krg. This Klub welcomes daily to meet
and have fun. The Klub has a varied week schedule
with all kinds of activities. So Klub Krg has for all
target groups something to offer.
Initiatives in azarz
azarz knows many people who want to take an initiative. The initiators know they can go to Klub Krg
for getting support to start the initiative. Together

there is to be seen what they can do for the district.

The klub offers several activities in conjunction with
the residents. In the district there is also a special
childrens culture house for activities after school.
The municipality has taken the initiative to offer
children extra lessons. Often these classes are for
free and have a positive effect on the knowledge of
the children. The lessons are in the form of dance,
music, languages and extra tutoring. The many diverse initiatives ensure that all ages feel involved in
the district. The goal of the adult initiators is most
of the time to help the new generation protecting
their own neighbourhood and at the same time get
to know each other.

61

I m p rovement of housing a nd living

Dispate some renovation at the facades on the street sides, their is still work on the facade on the back sides aswell. Housing in east from Gogowska street
needs the most renovation. The western part is mostly better, or they already working on improvement.
62

Pu b l i c s p ace, c reating a b e tte r cit y

azarz has several well maintained public parks, besides these parks most of the public space is neglected. Because of lack in the public space most these
areas are being used for parking. These parked cars have a bad influence on the experience of the streets and public spaces.
63

Tra ns p o r t at i on corridor

Gogowska street is the most important transportation corridor. Most of the people travel by tram or bus, only a few of people dare to cycle across these
crowded roads.
64

Agei n g s o c i et y

Just like other European countries the health of their citizen is getting better. Herfore they live longer, and that involves in a ageing society.
65

I m p rovement park ing spa ce

The old traditional streets are filled with parked cars, even the sidewalks are filled. More modern buildingblocks have solved the parkingisseus by making a
underground parkingspace.
66

I mprove ment i nfrastruc ture

The mainroads are well maintained. Secundary roads are neglected and sometimes not even visible as an road or street.
67

4.3

Klub Os i edlow y K rg

Klub Krg is a club in the neighbourhood of azarz

which organize many activities with and for the
residents of azarz. Klub Krg means club ring or
club circle. The club is 35 years old and was stated
in communist time. It started as a club to meet
people and have some fun. In the communist time
these clubs normally were provided by the factories. In azarz there was more need to meet and so
they formed the club. This was allowed because it
was formed with the same intentions as the clubs
of the factories. At the moment Janusz Heller is the
clubmanger.
The club works with over the 250 volunteers and 5
permanent employees. The most of the volunteers
are from the neighbourhood azarz and organize
things out of their own interests or hobbies. The 5
Permanent employees are paid from a founding,
donations and the corporation Grunwald. Club
Krg does not have the goal of making money. The
money from the corporation Grunwald comes from
a percentage of the rental houses in azarz. Klub
Krg is not supported by the municipality.
The Club organizes all kinds of activities for the
neighbourhood. For some of the activities professionals are needed. Some professionals get paid
and some vulonteer. The most of the activities are
started from the need of the residents in azarz.
Klub Krg is in the Neighbourhood the main platform to start an initiative.
Every year Klub Krg gives an award to somebody
68

who did something good for the neighbourhood,

in their eyes. The award is a way to say thank you!
This year it was Janusz Ludwiczak, he made a blog
about azarz and what is going on here. Every year
they also put 3 friends of the club to show the work
they are doing. The club put those people in the
spot light. The awards are not only for people who
do things inside club Krg but for all the people
who do participates in the Neighbourhood.
Every year there is the day of azarz, on this day
there is a parade, where everybody shows what is
happening in the club. The parade goes through
azarz and show people what kind of activities
are in the club and what can be done in the klub.
During the day of azarz the sport clubs of Krg organize a tournament for their sports. To let people
know about the activities through the year they
put information on Facebook, their website, posters
and advertising through people to people. They do
not have much money to put big advertising but
people know them after 35 years.
In Pozna there are more clubs like club Krg. The
clubs keep contact with each other and know what
they are doing. If there is a new initiative the clubs
contact each other For example if a translator is
needed, the club has contact which they can call.
Four of the big partners are: azarz.pl (a blog about
azarz telling what is happening), Horyzonty (a
youth Organization), Radaosiedla (the district council) and Kasztelania ostrowaska (Heritage Promotion Association).

In Club Krg are several activities every day. Besides

the weekly activities there are activities that happen in weekends that differ and there are yearly
events. On the next page there is an example of
weekly activities (Weekly schedule of the club in
the season 2015). In weekends the activities change
a lot. Examples of yearly events are: Day of azarz,
fundraising campaign for children all around Poland, Christmas dinner for lonely people in azarz
and summer holidays activities for children.
Klub Krg is an organization that organizes many
activities within the neighbourhood. Because the
club already exists 35 years they have a lot of experience. In this 35 years the club organized many
things for all kinds of people. Because the demand
for activities is so high in club Krg there is a lack of
space. Because of the longtime experience with initiatives club Krg is a good platform for connecting
people and start more of them. In the beginning
Club Krg was just a place to meet and talk / do
hobbys. Now it transformed in to a place for education, expositions, meeting, childcare and so on.

In conclusion
A Club has to grow with the amount of initiatives that are in the Neighbourhood. This
to make sure the club can always provide
professionals help and space to start an
initiative. A club serves as a link between
space, professionals, other clubs and the
municipality.

69

4.4

M o dzi ezow y D om Kutur y

Modziezowy Dom Kultury Pozna (House of

Culture) is a community building where children
get the opportunity to develop different skills. It is
founded by the government in 1974 and it offers
different classes such as dancing, art, music, singing, kindergarten, a music band and English/ German lessons. There is even a folkdance group and
they are performing all over the world. The classes
are intended for children till they are 19, which is
the maximum age.
The House of Culture is not only available for the
inhabitants of the neighbourhood. People from
outside the district are also welcome. Some children are even from outside the city. The House of
Culture is meant for everyone.
To promote the Modziezowy Dom Kultury nr3 the
government has made a website so everyone can
find the location and the program of the initiative.
Over the years, this initiative has become well
known among the people of Pozna.
There are in total three of these cultural houses in
Pozna and all of them have the same principle.
Because of the fund of the government, the House
of Culture is free for the children. This makes it easy
to participate in an activity and to get to know
some children from outside their district.
The goal of the House of Culture is to expend childrens abilities and give them something to do after
70

school time. Everything they do here is an addition

on the childrens school lessons.
Approximately, there are working twenty teachers at this location and about a hundred children
are participating in various classes. The teachers
receive their salaries from the government but they
are collecting money as well. This collected money is for supplies such as paint, brushes, books or
dancing clothes. They collect the money from the
parents, who can decide if they donate any money
or how much they give. However, the money the
teachers receive is not much.

In conclusion
Dom Kultury is taking care for the new generation.
By giving extra lessons after school and all sorts
of activities there are almost no children outside
on the streets. The extra lessons improve the
school results. The children of Pozna are getting
the space to develop themselves and to chase
their ambitions.

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4.5

Con cl u s io n

Klub Krg is an organization and has a wide network which can be consulted to organise initiatives
with the residents of azarz. From the organization
many initiatives are started in the district of azarz.
The network shows that the organization Klub Krg
can be used as a start, guide or to participate in
initiatives. There are many contacts involved in this
network. For example, people are employed by the
cooperation, volunteers can sign up to help, investors are able to contribute and partners may apply
to help the organization. The organization is taking
a major role in the district azarz.

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73

74

N aram owice
.1
.2
.3
.4

H i s to r y
D es c r i ption
Pawel S owa
E l z b i et a Sk r z yp cz yns k a a nd
An n a Wa chows k a - Kucha rs k a
. 5 Co n c l u s ion

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5.1

H i s tor y

Naramowice was first mentioned as a village in

1366. In the 18th century Naramowice consisted
of a courthouse, a peasant village and two mills. In
the second half of the 19th century Naramowice
expanded territory which included two small villages called Wilczy Myn and Rany Myn and the
in 1760 founded Dutch/German settlement called
Naramowice Oldry. In 1925 Naramowice became
part of Pozna.
During German occupation in 1942 at the area of
todays Science and Technology Park (Poznaski
Park Naukowo-Technologiczny) a huge gas-tank
was constructed. The construction was done
by prisoners of war from England and Italy. The
reservoir was completed in 1955 and was at that
moment, with a height of 80m, a diameter of 44m
and a volume of 100 thousand m3, the biggest
technical building in Pozna. The construction was
demolished in July 1995. Although it was officially
designed as a gas-tank many sources indicate it
was used to hide military installations.
Within the borders of Naramowice lays the nature
reserve urawiniec. It was formed in 1959 at the initiative of Dr. Heleny Szafran to protect and preserve
the bog vegetation. On its site there were many
plants covered by protected species. Currently flora
and vegetation associated peat bogs, for which the
reserve was established, completely disappeared
due to local water conditions, dryness of the area,
and the strong impact of humans on the area like
eutrophication and the infiltration of alien species

76

like the Small balsam. Their are still several rare

plant species which justifies the continued existence of the reserve.
After World War II Naramowice primarily operated
within the field of agro-industry. During the 60s
and 70s the area became famous because of Kombinatu Pastwowych Gospodarstw Ogrodniczych
(Combine Naramowice State Horticultural Farm). A
large agri-horticultural farm bringing fruit, vegetables and flowers to the Poznas market for the first
time.
In 1970 the northern part of the railway bypass
connecting Zieliniec and Kiekrz. The most significant aspects of this railway are the bridge and
estacade above the Warta valley. The bridge has a
length of 168 meter and the estacade 810,5 meter.
From the estacade a beautiful panoramic view of
Pozna, Naramowice, Pitkowo and Koziegw can
be seen. In 1971 the connection between Pozna,
Pitkowo, Suchy Las and Pia was established. The
railway was used by primarily freight trains delivering gasoline to the power plant in Naramowice.
As part of Combine Naramowice State Horticultural
Farm association a dairy was established in 1985.
In 1992 this association was abolished leading
the dairy to become property of the government.
Temporarily the dairy was owned by a Dutch
investor called Friesland Naramowice who in 1998
withdrew leading the dairy to become property of
the government again. The dairy produces cottage
cheese, buttermilk, kefir, butter and milk all without

preservatives. It is famous especially for the Grani

cottage cheese and was the first producing butter
cream according to traditional Polish recipe in
Wielkopolska.
During the 90s numerous housing developments
where realised multiplying the number of inhabitants. Nowadays around 15000 people live in
Naramowice.
During the existence of Naramowice a couple of interesting spatial changes have occurred in the area.
At the end of the 19th century a palace was constructed. The palace originally consisted of a manor
house, farmhouses a landscaped park with a gate
and a driveway leading to the palace. During World
War I the palace was destroyed only to be restored
again in 1928. In the second half of the 20th century large destruction really began to change Naramowice. The rebuilt palace along with its historical
values was destroyed and within the historical park
blocks of flats were developed. Today the shape of
the area is barely recognisable. Only leftovers of the
farmhouses remain.

In 1935 the first church in Naramowice called

Church of Our Lady Czestochowa was built. Previously Naramowice belonged to the parish of Saint
Wojciech church in Pozna. During the German
occupation in 1940 the Germans turned the church
into a warehouse. In 1945 the church and rectory
were burned by the Nazis. Directly after the war the
parish house and chapel were rebuilt for religious
education and housing the priest and organist.
It was not until 1974 permission was obtained to
built a new church. Building started in 1977. The
first liturgy was celebrated in 1978 and the church
was consecrated in 1985.

77

5.2

Des c r i p t ion

The district Naramowice

The city of Pozna is divided into five areas (Grunwald - Wilda - Nowe Miasto - Stare Miasto - Jezyce).
These areas of Pozna are further divided into districts. Naramowice is part of Nowe Miasto located
in the North of Pozna. There are almost 15.000
inhabitants in Naramowice. The district is rapidly
growing due to many private developments. These
developments situated close to a beautiful forest
are attracting young wealthy families.
Partition of the district
Since the fall of the communistic government Naramowice, especially the northern part, has undergone a metamorphosis. The old villages of which
Naramowice originally arose are difficult to recognise and even considered to be completely taken
over by the developments during the last century.
The neighbourhood is a patchwork of old family
houses, communistic blocks of flats and modern
recently developed apartment buildings.
One of the oldest parts of current Naramowice is
referred to as domki na Sarmackiej which means
houses at Sarmacka. In the 30s this area has been
reserved for people who were unemployed and
people who were involved into social care to live.
This small residential buildings originally existed
only of a room, kitchen, corridor and an outside
sanitary. Today many of these houses have been
developed by the inhabitants into more quality
housing.

78

The communistic blocks of flats are situated in the

western part of Naramowice and have been developed between the 60s and 80s. Surrounded by a
green environment these concrete buildings are
slightly outdated and not always well maintained.
In contrast to these old residential areas a big part
of the Naramowice consists of a high density newly
build apartment buildings. These mostly gated
communities are privately developed. Within these
communities there infrastructure and sometimes
social facilities are present. The fences around these
communities are in most cases literally the border
of developments. Combination locks on the gates
and camera security is making sure these communities are not accessible by non-residents. From the
outside many of these complexes physically show
similarities to detention centres.
In between these three types of housing areas the
patchwork is filled up with private family houses.
These are the typical residential developments that
can be found all over Poland. When people can
afford it they buy a piece of land on the border of
the agglomeration. Here their dream-house can be
developed surrounded by a fence.
Privatization
The district faces multiple problems. One of the
main problems is connected to a problem many
Polish cities are dealing with, privatization. The
majority of developments in Naramowice are done
by private development companies. Many of these

companies have only profit in mind. Almost only

housing is being developed.
Facilities
The amount of facilities is not growing together
with these residential developments. An important
example is the lack of schools in the district. Right
now there are only kindergartens and a primary
school located in Naramowice. This will not be
enough to provide for the amount of children
living in the district in the future. Also the lack of a
gymnasium is forcing pupils to travel to a different
district to attend a gymnasium.
Main infrastructure
This should not be a problem in many cases. But in
the case of Naramowice it is. This is caused by the
infrastructural conditions. The district is accessible only by one main road called Naramowicka.
Besides Naramowice this road is also connecting
the northern located old villages to the city centre.
This is causing major traffic jams during rush hours.
Because Naramowice is not connected to the
centre by tram the inhabitants are depending on
transportation by car or bus.
Secondary infrastructure
The infrastructural problem is also connected to
the way the district is being developed. Many of
the secondary roads are either neglected or never
developed. The infrastructure in the residential are-

as consist in many cases out of gravel.

When these roads are tiled or paved it
lacks proper sidewalks. In addition, not
enough parking spaces are available
causing people to park everywhere
where possible. Private developers are
not investing in the infrastructure outside of their property while the district
council lacks the budget to do so.
Activities
The most important parties active in
the district are the municipality, district
council and developing corporations.
During the 90s the municipality has
given developers a big area of the
district as a carte blanche. This has led
to the present situation. The district
council is trying to change this by developing plans to improve the quality
of life in the district. The power of the
district council is very limited as is the
available budget. With the arrival of
a new mayor in the end of 2014, they
hope to gather increase their budget
and start more projects.

79

D e s ign i ng fo r c ars a n d n o t p e o pl e

(t raffic jam s an d con gestion s) .

During rush hours Naramowicka street, the main street going through Naramowice, turns into one big traffic jam. Naramowicka is the only road leading
from Naramowice and further to the centre of Pozna which means there is one road for around 16.000 people.
80

I mp rovem ent o f the wa l k in g a n d c yc l in g co n d itio n s.

Many of the secondary roads do not have proper sidewalks. Pedestrians are only able to either walk on the road or along the roadside. There is barely any
infrastructure for cyclist. When there is these cycling-paths are not always well connected to the other infrastructure.
81

An o nymit y and d evelop m ent of n eigh b ou rh o o d i d e nt i t i e s.

Naramowice is rapidly developing. Many developments contain large numbers of apartment buildings resulting into anonymous neighbourhood and gated
communities.
82

S p atia l disord er and m on o - f u n c t ion al devel o p m e nt.

Because the large developments of apartments mono-functional neighbourhoods area created. Beside these mono-functional developments a example
of a more multifunctional development can be found behind the Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Sporadic some barren buildings can be found in the
district.
83

Pu b lic space net work .

Naramowice is full off green areas with many footpaths. There is a vague transition between these recreational spaces and the other public space. Beside
that many of the public spaces are not developed or neglected.
84

L ack of quali t y faci li ties.

The main commercial area of Naramowice only consists a few small stores. Furthermore, there are some small stores located in apartment building spread
around Naramowice. There is a lack of high quality facilities in the whole district.
85

5.3

Pawe S owa

District councils in Pozna

City councils in Poland are able to organise the
division of the municipality as they think fits best
to the city. In the case of Pozna the city is divided
into five areas, which again are divided into 42
districts. These districts each have a council. District
councils were an idea from the city council in order
to connect better with local and social problems.
The district council consists of 15 councillors. These
counsellors are all inhabitants of Naramowice who
want to do something for the district. The inhabitants of the districts elect the counsellors of district
councils. This happens every four years. Because
the council is part of the city government during
the council meeting a clerk form the city council is
present to inform the municipality.
Active district councils in Pozna are relatively new.
The first election for an active council in Naramowice was in 2011. Pozna is one of the first cities in
Poland where district councils with a budget to
spend exist. The district council of Naramowice
is mostly focussing on issues in the district it self.
These are issues concerning infrastructure, public
space, a network of schools and cultural developments. Many of these issues are small-scaled
projects that are linked to a district covering or
sometimes district transcending plans.
Problems in Naramowice
Naramowice is a popular district for young families
to move to because it is located at the border of
Pozna. Many housing developers take the oppor86

tunity to invest in this district by developing large

amounts of apartment complexes. They are able
to buy private pieces of lands and develop these
in any way they want. This is resulting into a kind
of gated communities. Only in a few cases these
developers are coming to terms about investing in
something else then just housing but for example
also the public space.
This way of developing the district results into a
large amount of neglected and even never developed public space and infrastructure. This is
concerned the task of the government to invest
in. Only the main infrastructure is developed and
maintained. The secondary roads in Naramowice
are in many cases neglected or even never developed. Many consist out of gravel and lack proper
sidewalks. Therefore renovations are not enough to
improve the districts infrastructure. Instead a completely new development of these roads is needed.
In addition, little is invested in social and cultural
activities. Naramowice has proportionally the largest amount of pupils compared with the amount
of schools in the district. The number of children in
the neighbourhood is only about to rise due to the
constant developments attracting young families
to move to the district. With only two elementary
schools and a few kindergartens there is no possibility for new pupils to have a proper school career
in the district. In order to have a proper school
career they need to find a gymnasium outside of
the district.

What can be traced back to the infrastructural

problems in Naramowice. There are almost 15.000
people inhabiting the district. Only one main road
is connecting Naramowice with the city centre.
Additionally there is no tram connection. This is
causing enormous traffic jams during rush hours.
Travel times from Naramowice to the city centre
take up to three times longer then usual. The bus
is using the same road causing bus-schedules to
become irrelevant.
Goals
Many of the goals of the district council are directly
connected to these problems. According to Pawe
Sowa, a counsellor of Naramowice, one of the
biggest goals is a higher quality infrastructure in
the district. Mostly focussing on secondary roads.
To enhance the connection with the city centre
the district council pleads for an extension of the
tram connecting Naramowice with the city centre.
Improving the districts infrastructure will positively effect the establishment of social and cultural
activities. Right now there are only some cultural
activities organised by the primary schools. The district council is helping organizing these activities.
In order to be capable to organise more of these activities a location is needed. Right now the council
does not have an address. They are using a space
in one of the primary schools for council meetings.
The lack of a proper location for the council causes
it to be hard to come in contact with residents,
stakeholders and companies in the district. To

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88

inform the inhabitants of Naramowice about activities, events and developments the council is using
a monthly district newspaper. In addition, social
media is used to organise events and gather people
to like activities and therefore get informed about
what is going on. This way people can show their
support in a passive way. Some people are getting
more actively involved.
District councils have been established to solve
social, cultural and other small scaled problems in
the district. Despite this the council of Naramowice
lacks both power and budget to solve many of the
districts problems.
District councils should always be asked by de city
for an opinion regarding developments in the district. This way the city can implement some of the
district councils advices into the general development plan. Right now the city council still has the
power to take decisions about district tasks against
the advice of the district council. This is weird
because the district council is only concerned with
a specific district and therefore more able to decide
what is in the districts best interest. Gaining more
power if it comes to decision-making is therefore
also an important goal for the district council.

Cooperation and associations

Various associations are established in order to
achieve certain goals. In many cases councillors
set up these associations. The idea behind these
associations is to gain more power and be able
push the city council to invest in something they
normally would not invest in. There are for example associations focussing on the development of
specific roads, public spaces and a tram connection
with the centre of Pozna.
These associations can be compared to initiatives.
They often arise from a partnership between the
district council and an organization or company.
There is a partnership with the local church to
collect money for developments in Naramowice.
With one of the elementary schools an association
is created to expand the school building and to
request a gymnasium in the district. One of the
most successful associations so far is a partnership
with one of the development corporations active
in Naramowice. The goal is to create a place for parents and children to meet, play and work-out in the
public space. Every year the city council is handing
out PLN 15.000.000, called the citizens budget, to
by the citizens elected projects. The district council
applied for this budget in order to build this public
meeting place. Also the development corporation
is investing in this project.

In conclusion
Naramowice is dealing with many
problems, which emerged from poorly
planned developments. In order to solve
many of these problems both small and
big initiatives are needed. The district
council could be a central point for the
development of these initiatives. The lack
of power in decision making of the district council is causing the district to continue to inefficiently develop. Also, the
lack of a location for the district council is
a second barrier in order to better connect with the inhabitants, stakeholders
and companies that are present in Naramowice. For a more fruitful development
of the district initiatives can play a major
role. The district council is able to help
when they have the right recourses.

89

5.4

E lzbi et a Sk r z y p cz y nsk a and

Anna Wachowsk a -Kucha rsk a

Introduction
In the 1930s, after World War I, the Pozna reserved
some land in the west of Naramowice to build
houses. In these houses served as accommodation
for people who were unemployed and people involved into social care. They were able to buy them
by paying with cash or by working for the city for
several years in order to compensate the costs. The
houses consisted of a room, kitchen, corridor and
an outside sanitary.
From 1947 till 1949 there was a national plan
regarding the reconstruction of the cities and
enhancing the industrial development of Poland.
In 1948 the Polish government changed into a
communistic government. By this time private
properties were taken by the state. The residents
who were working in order to pay for their homes
the government did not take these properties.
Based on a Soviet Union model a six-year plan for
the industrial development was launched. In 1956,
after Stalins dead, the communistic rule became
less severe. People in the neighbourhood started to
renovate or add some extra spaces to their houses.
The clerks were not getting involved with these
developments and the neighbourhood started to
reshape. The city authorities where satisfied that
they did not have to invest in the quality of life
and that the residents of this neighbourhood were
somehow trying to deal with the problems themself.
Although the government changed again in 1989
the residents of this neighbourhood were still living
90

in the same conditions as they were living during

communism. By this time many of the houses were
rebuilt and changed and have been inhabited by
several generations.
The establishment of the association
In 2002 the former mayor wanted to share the
western area of Naramowice, including this neighbourhood now known as Sarmacka, into three
parts and change them into community gardens.
This way residents of the city centre who were
renting social apartments could have a garden just
outside of the city. If the plan would have come to
life the properties could have been easily sold to
developers. At this point Elzbieta Skrzypczynska
and Anna Wachowska-Kucharska established an
association to stop this from happening. Two out
of three parts were never transformed. Up till now
these parts are still appointed as a residential areas.
Therefore this land cannot be sold to developing
companies.
City authorities started to block further developments in the neighbourhood and get people to
move out of their houses. For example, the area
was excluded from the development of a sewage
system to neighbouring houses.
Today the Sarmacka is much less alive then in the
end of the 90s. Many of the residents have passed
away. Their children are not risking living in the
neighbourhood because of the administrative and

legal situation of the Sarmacka. Because people

have been living on these properties for many generations according to the law the residents are able
to buy these lands with a discount up to 90%. In
2013 a statement was prepared by the city council
enabling the residents of these properties to buy
them with a discount op to 80%. Beside that the
city claims the value of the properties are higher if
for example there is a fence around it or there is a
paved driveway present. Therefore the price people
have to pay for the estates rises.
According to the people living in these houses this
is absurd. Not only were they the ones investing
in these improvements. Also, in the past they have
been paying fees, working for the city and invested
into the quality of the properties in order to live
there. Now they are forced to buy the properties
from themselves and pay for their investments
again. The association pleads for the investments to
be taken under consideration in the statement and
buy the estates from the city based on the value of
the land.
A second argument against the statement is the
unequal treatment. If the plan to turn these estates
into community gardens had been conducted
these lands would have been sold to developers for
a price based only on the value of the land. Most
likely these developers would even have the opportunity to negotiate the price. In addition, the city
would have invested in infrastructure so all the new
developments are properly connected. Finally, if all
this had happened the residents of this neighbour-

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hood would be forced out of their homes. Meaning

that they shall be placed on a list for people who
need to be placed into social housing.
The current situation
In December 2014 the city authorities has changes.
For the first time in 16 years a new mayor has been
elected. After the elections two meetings with the
mayor, the district council and inhabitants of Naramowice have been organized. During one of these
meetings the mayor has been invited to Sarmacka
to show him what the neighbourhood looks like.
He ordered clerks from the housing department to
establish a group cooperating with the residents to
finally solve the problems of this neighbourhood.
So far three meeting took place, unfortunately
without many results. Although the new mayor
has the will to change the situation it seems that
the attitude of the clerks has not changed. Among
them are still the people as before the elections.
Many of the clerks have been working for the city
for decades and are not willing to deal with to complicated problems. They have a passive attitude and
instead of solving problems they sometimes prefer
to get rid of it. This is believed to be a problem in
many polish cities, which is blocking the proper
development of the city.
Because of the specific history of Samacka the
residents and their families are very connected to
the neighbourhood. In order to solve the problems
in Samacka and keep this neighbourhood a part of

the city Anna Wachowska-Kucharska believes these

problems need to be widely spread and openly
discussed. The more people who know about it the
better the chance to solve the problems.

In conclusion
The very specific situation of Samacka combined with the complicated history of Polish
governmental control make is hard for
the initiative to reach its goals. The district
council plays an important role within the
association, which was established to save
the neighbourhood and solve its problems.
They are able to connect with the new
mayor. In contrast to the attitude of the new
mayor many of the still active clerks cause
it to be difficult to improve the situation. In
order for the association to achieve more
the problems of the neighbourhood have to
be widely spread and become familiar with
possible stakeholders.

93

5.5

Con cl u s io n

Good examples of citizens initiatives are hard to

find in Naramowice because a large part of the
district is still under construction. The inhabitants
are not yet connected with the district. Therefore
many initiatives are established by, or with help of,
the district council. Together with various partners
associations are created. Sometimes supported by
digital platforms it increases the power and chance
of success for the initiatives. These are often larger
initiatives, which need a budget. Smaller initiatives
without or with just a small budget also exist. These
are therefore not always connected to the district
council and operate independently.

94

95

96

Conc lusion and to olb ox

97

98

Conclusion
Cities are always influenced by the experience
of its citizens. This liveable world in a city is not
made to be designed. In the past, for example the
government, planned entire neighbourhoods with
a expectation. But it never achieved their expectations, because the citizens have to make the city
with what is for them a liveable world.
Every city is different, every place, neighbourhood,
district, block or street is different and has its own
liveable world. The inhabitants of this specific area
determine what is their liveable world with their
experiences. If the citizens are not satisfied about
their liveable world, they will stand up for their
interests in form of a initiative. This is the difference
between a lived world and the planned world.
A initiative is mostly started because there is a
threat in the liveable world of a citizen. Mostly this
person becomes a initiativeleader. This intiativeleader will start a movement against this threat.
There are two different initiativeleaders to be
divide; a initiative that comes because of a threat
with a common interest and a initiative that comes
from a common threat with a common interest.

A network sounds complicated, but it can be simple. For example two citizens can make a agreement to form a network. In the different studies we
made visible how these network . These networks
reach different sorts of parties. From a government until the individual citizens. The power of a
initiative is a common interest that comes with it.
A initiativeleader can mean a lot for the district,
neighbourhood or street where it operates.
Example of a individual initiative with a common
interest; A citizen makes a decision to clean all the
leaves on the sidewalk.
Example of a joint initiative with a common interest; The playground is beginning transformed on
the initiative of several citizens effort.
Initiatives can be started on different forms. No inititiative is the same, as no person is the same. That
is why there is no guide toe start a initiative. What
is useful are some tools who can be helpful in a
initiative. On the next page you can find a summary
of the different tools for citizens initiatives.

At a start of a initiative the most important tool is

a network. In every city, neighbourhood, district,
block or street is some sort of network existing.
99

100

Toolbox
Know your neighbourhood
Every district or neighbourhood
has its own story with, its own
opportunities and problems.

Everyone can help

Individuals can make a difference
in a initiative by supporting and
helping the initiative leaders with
their tasks.

Together you will achieve

more
Find like-minded people and
start an association. This will
increase the chance of success
and support.

Size does not matter

An initiative increases the
liveability of an area no matter
the size. Small and big initiatives
can be equally successful.

Network in your district

There is already a network
available in your district in
order for you to reach the right
persons.

Location
A location is the most important
factor for a initiative. Here the
citizens can meet each other and
exchange ideas.

Money is not important

Most successful and sustainable
initiatives start without a budget.
Think smart and recycle what is
available.

Overview is needed
A middleman can ease the
contact with multiple parties.
This can help to establish trust
between these parties.

Socialize
Contacts are important for
everyone, at a community centre
you can find professionals who
can help.

Try new ways

Think out of the box and be
creative. Dont get stuck in old
habits.

Grow with the initiative

An initiative can expand. Always
make sure you are ready to
expand with it. Think about the
location and partners.

Companies can help

Bigger organizations, who are
close to residents, can be used
to take over the role of the
municipality.

101

102

S ources

103

Internet
Bewoners initiatief Gildenbuurt (2012). Welkom bij B.I.G.. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://www.gildebuurteindhoven.nl/
City of Warsaw (2013). Intergraded sustainability report 2013. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://www.um.warszawa.pl/sites/default/files/warsaw_g4_integrated_sustainability_report_2013.pdf
Cracow University of Technology (2012). The destiny of a historical gardens compositions withing Pozna based on the palace-garden complex in Naramowice.
Accessed on 9 October 2015, https://suw.biblos.pk.edu.pl/resources/i1/i6/i4/i4/i8/r16448/WalerzakM_LosyHistorycznych.pdf
Gemeente Borger-Odoorn (2015). Gebiedscordiantor. Accessed on 17 October 2015, https://www.borger-odoorn.nl/bestuur-en-organisatie/gebiedscooerdinatoren.html
Gemeente Eindhoven (w.d.). Waardebonnen voor burgerinitiatieven. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://www.gildebuurteindhoven.nl/downloads/
Waardebonnenflyer.pdf
Gemeente Eindhoven (2015). Stadsdeelteam Woensel-Zuid. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://www.eindhoven.nl/stad/stadsdelen/Stadsdeelteam-WoenselZuid.htm
Gemeente Tilburg (w.d.). Burgerparticipatie. Accessed on 28 September 2015, http://www.tilburg.nl/stad-bestuur/bestuur/burgerparticipatie/
Golden line (2009). A brief history of Naramowice. Accessed on 9 October 2015, http://www.goldenline.pl/grupy/Miasta_regiony/naramowice/krotka-historia-naramowic,1306274/
Infinity (w.d.). Smart Cities. Smart People. Smart Living. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://getifinity.com/
Kacpura, K. (2011). Sustainable energy action plan for Warsaw until 2020. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://www.managenergy.net/lib/documents/184/
original_10_warszawa_en.pdf
Mensink, W. (2015). Systeem- en leefwereld: hoe de kloof te dichten? Accessed on 6 October 2015, http://www.socialevraagstukken.nl/site/2015/04/30/systeem-en-leefwereld-hoe-de-kloof-te-dichten/

104

Naramowice24 (2014). Historia o Naramowice. Accessed on 8 October 2015, http://www.naramowice24.pl/index.php/o-naramowicach

Noorderpark Trust (w.d.). Over het Noorderpark. Accessed on 29 September 2015, http://noorderpark.nl/
Noorderparkkamer (w.d.). De Noorderparkkamer. Accessed on 29 September 2015, http://www.noorderparkkamer.nl/over-de-noorderparkkamer
Oud-Woensel (2015). Oud-Woensel. Accessed on 11 September 2015, http://www.oudwoensel.nl/
Smart Circle (2014). Smart city RADAR; a tool of awareness. Accessed on 14 September 2015, http://www.smart-circle.org/smart-city/smart-city-radar-toolawareness-dialogue-action/
The Warsaw voice (w.d.). Turning Warsaw into a Smart City. Accessed on 16 September 2015, http://www.warsawvoice.pl/WVpage/pages/article.php/27408/
article
Thuis in de stad (w.d.). De burger in de stad. Accessed on 18 September 2015, http://thuisindestad.be/studiedagen/de-burger-in-de-stad
Vereniging Oud Woensel (2015). Een nieuw buurtcontract voor 2015. Accessed on 1 October 2015, http://eindhoven.notudoc.nl/cgi-bin/showdoc.cgi/action=view/id=1123709/type=pdf/Bijlage_13__Buurtcontract_Oud-Woensel.pdf
Books
Beekmans, J. & Boer, J de (2014). Pop-Up City, CIty - Making in a Fluid World. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers
Berg, M. van (2013). Stedelingen veranderen de stad: Over nieuwe collectieven publiek domein en transitie. Haarlem: Trancity en Valiz
Blom, R., Bosdriesz, G., Heijden, J. van der, e.a. (2010). Werkboek help een burgerinitiatief. Den Haag: Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijkrelaties
Brouwer, J. & Willems, J. (2007). Ruimtelijke concentratie van achterstanden en problemen. Delft: ABF Research
Brmann, A. Lagendijk, E. (2004). De gemeente, burgerinitiatieven en de ongebonden vrijwilliger. Den Haag: Quantes, Rijswijk
Dommelen, S. van, Keulemans, C., Lans & J. van der (2012). Noorderpark Trust. Amsterdam
Franke, S., Niemans, J. & Soeterbroek, F. (2015). Het nieuwe stadmaken: Van gedreven pionieren naar gelijk speelveld. Haarlem: Trancity en Valiz
Hurenkamp, M., Tonkens, E., & Duyvendak, J.W. (2006). Wat burgers bezielt. Amsterdam: Universiteit van Amsterdam
Miazzo F. & Kee T. (2014). We Own The City: Enabling Community Practice in Architecture and Urban Planning. Haarlem: Trancity en Valiz
Pennen, T. van der (2010). Ruimte voor Bewoners!? Delft: Technische Universiteit
Reijndorp, A. & Reinders, L. (2010). De Alledaagse en de geplande stad. Amsterdam: SUN en auteurs
Willems, M. (2015). Ruimte voor ruimdenkers. Deventer
105

Interviews
Banaszak, A., Employee, Fundacja Bc Zmiana, Warsaw, 22 September 2015
Dommelen, S. van, Mediator, Trust Noord, Amsterdam, 30 September 2015
Garus, B., Translator, Pozna, 14 September 2015
Gils, F. van, Areacordinator, Gemeente Eindhoven, Eindhoven, 7 October 2015
Grz A., Volunteer, Osiedle Jazdw, Warsaw, 21 September 2015
Kaiser, B., Employee, Thuis, Eindhoven, 19 Oktober 2015
Konarzewska, A., Professional / mediator, Q-Ruch Ssiedzki, Warsaw, 22 September 2015
Kuczyska, K., Teacher English, Modziezowy Dom Kutury Pozna, Pozna, 15 September 2015
Leszko, G. & Leszko, M., Volunteers, Osiedle Przyja, Warsaw, 22 September 2015
Libicki, P., Coordinator, Pozna Municipality, Pozna, 02 November 2015
Manders, M., Volunteers, Buurtsalon, Eindhoven, 30 September 2015
Matysiak, T., Founder, Rozbrat, Pozna, 5 November 2015
Pennen, T. van der, Researcher, TU Delft, Delft, 14 October 2015
Roosen, J., Socialworker, Buurthuis Jeruzalem, Tilburg, 30 September 2015
Skrzypczyska, E., Volunteer, Stowarzyszenie Sarmacka, Pozna, 5 November 2015
Sowa, P., Councillor, District Council, Pozna, 3 November 2015
Stokfiszewski, I., Activist, Ursus znaczy niedwied, Warsaw, 22 September 2015
witkowska, B., Founder, Fundacja Bc Zmiana, Warsaw, 22 September 2015
Wachowska-Kucharska, A., Councillor, District Council, Pozna, 5 November 2015
Wysocki, W., Initiative taker, Klub Osiedkowy/Krg, Pozna, 14 October 2015

106

107

108

Annexes

109

110

Li terature

. 1 D e geme e nte, burge rinitiatieve n en d e

o n geb onde n v r ijwillige r
. 2 Po p - u p cit y
. 3 Wat b urge rs b e zie lt

111

1.1

De g emeente, burge rinitiat ieve n e n

d e ong eb onde n vrijwilliger

The municipality, citizens initiatives

and the unbound citizen.
The Commissie Vrijwilligersbeleid (translated;
The Commission on Volunteer Policy )created a
brochure with the theme Citizen initiatives. This
organization is making sure that the volunteers get
the right policy so they do not have to worry about
it. Hereby they asked them self these questions:
Which roll has the municipality with initiatives,
what should they do and what not, and how can
you support an initiative but do not confront the
citizen with different rule of regulations? The answers are short and practical tips to these answers.
The Commissie Vrijwilligersbeleid did some
research about active citizenship and volunteer
input. Their conclusion is that citizens desire the
following three characteristics: properties, ability
and commitment. Most of all it is a personal need
to be filled and they should have fun doing their
thing. Todays new initiatives will take place out of
sight of the authorities. The new initiatives involve
health-care, safety, liveability, norms and values
and self-organization. These initiative takers would
like to improve the social problems, where the
official organizations fail.
Citizens are always in consultation and do not have
partners. This means that the government should
have a subtle way to meet the citizen. The initia112

tives that what is theirs, this method is practical and the challenge, for example, on an experimental basis
.
target approach, and let the government see that
Attendant Create and facilitate
they do not do enough.
Once an initiative takes shape, help can be offered by
offering assistance in obtaining licenses. Help is also
In 2002 a new law (Dualism) is stimulating citizen
needed by applying for grants or start by introducing
initiatives in The Netherlands. This means that citizens have the right to present their initiative to the the initiators in a network of contacts. The municipality can also be helpful in finding a space for promoters.
local council. This is only possible if the initiative
An initiative of citizens can often be helped by simple
meets the requirements.
support of a professional. Who understands business
Most of the initiatives are started based on an
and knows the relevant people to find quick answers.
accurate problem of need to improve the local soAlmost all municipalities are familiar with instituciety. This is a signal to the municipality that there
is something what needs to be changed. The most tions or organizations which can provide support to
initiatives of individuals as a volunteer centre, the
important is that the municipality takes the initiative seriously and take their responsibility to guide community or a sector-specific local institution, such
as a sports council or foundation elderly.
the initiative. The most effective way to find these
signals is to be in the neighbourhoods and let the
people know you are there. This can mean a service Autonomy
It is important that the community continues to reccentre, of a community centre.
ognize the autonomy of the initiative. The municipal
commitment should not be aimed to professionalise
The local council and government can work with
the initiative. Just the voluntary and private nature
the following method:
must be respected it and get the room to develop.
Experience has shown that officials and politicians
Start-up grant
An initial grant is an incentive for promoters to make sometimes take the initiative to them and write any
success to their credit. This does not always happen
something of the initiative. Every initiative needs at
least a small start-up budget. New initiatives may not consciously. In those cases, in fact, involve a transfer
of the project or initiative. This can be counterproducfit into existing policies.
tive to the original initiators, making the relationship
If an initiative is successful, this is a bonus to municiwith them can be severely disrupted. Credit where
pal policy. But even if citizens do not connect directly
credit is due!
to the existing policy, a municipality can be interesting to offer a new idea or approach a chance to take

113

114

 Initiatives , Upgrading
It happens that initiatives fit in the municipal policy, or that the civil servant or another contact of the initiator gives suggestions for using the initiative as a impulse for other (policy) objectives. By itself it is not wrong
to bring promoters on ideas, as long as the initiative not alienated from the objectives set by the promoters
themselves.
Small scale
A municipality does not always choose for expansion and continuity of a successful initiative. The first often
means professionalization and the second is sometimes not necessary. So choose, where appropriate, rather
for temporary and the initiators appropriate size.

I n co ncl u s i o n :
The Commissie Vrijwilligersbeleid found out
that initiatives all have three characteristics, and
most likely the initiative is a personal need. All of
these initiatives are started without the help of
the authorities. They all want that the authorities
guides the initiatives through the difficult
procedures. Also there needs to be more contact
between both parties.

Difference in speed
Initiatives would like to start an activity as soon as possible, while the organizations how cooperate need to fill
in the procedures witch take lots of time to complete. If both parties do not realise that different speeds can led
to disorders.
All parties should make agreements about the expatiations and speed of progress.
Using citizens competences
The municipality is able to stimulate initiatives, by working active with the interest and talents of their citizens.
By asking about their interests and inspires others to become a volunteer (Brmann, A. & Lagendijk, E., 2004,
pag 15-16).

115

1.2

Pop -u p c it y

Cit y-M ak ing I n A Fluid Wo rl d

This book is a reflection of the pop-up ideas they

have collected since 2008. Joop de Boer and Jeroen
Beekmans believe that cities are created by city
makers.
These city makers are more flexible than any
brick and mortar structure ever could, and they
are better able to cope with an environment of
permanent change.
Cities are growing faster than ever and more
drastically than before. Cities must be adaptable to
unexpected needs. Bottom-up initiatives and popup design projects are helping inhabitants change
the use and make their city.

All trends and initiatives contribute in their

own small way to a conversation of how we are
beginning to re-conceptualise the city through
the efforts of creative individuals with limited
resources. Citizens in all urban areas are becoming
less reliant on inflexible urban governments, and
becoming more on their immediate social and
professional networks in order to make positive
changes to their urban landscapes.

Modern cities contain more and more rental

housing. This means that the citizens do not want
a mortgage and want to be flexible. The citizens
are becoming nomads. These urban nomads are
citizen who are constantly searching for a place
These modern cities are a mixture of ego-driven
to work and earn a living. These urban nomads
architecture, profit-oriented pursuits, and long-term
cannot call themselves locals anywhere. Because
master plans. Office developments are designed for
they have not been there long enough and
the first entity to use them, leaving inflexible spaces
probably will not be.
for future tenants once the original tenant packs their This constant movement of housing and working
bags for greener pastures in the next fashionable
brings needs of flexibility at working spaces. Dusky
building. Every city is littered to varying degrees with
factories are making place for office buildings or
vacant buildings designed for perpetuity in an age
are transformed in a flexible working-housing
of uncertainty, to this is not merely a result of tough
environment. Also green and food is added to
economic times.......
these locations. City governments around the
Spaces, be they public or private, are being used in less world are now viewing food production and
predictable ways, muddling the role of planners and
consumption as an essential element of urban
architects. A reformed kind of urbanism recognises
planning.
the need for multifunctional spaces and places that
The public spaces in the city become more
can adapt to unexpected uses(Pop-Up City, City and more important. After years and years of
Making in a Fluid World pg150) .
digitalising which led to empty shopping streets,
new strategies must be found to give meaning
116

to the collective places. New place makers are

enhancing and even creating the places of public
life through space reclamation, urban hacking,
and bottom-up urbanism. Citizens are opening up
decision making processes and taking back control
of the public realm.
Nowadays there also is budget that are which is
disappearing. At the same time groups of citizens
are beginning to sense a greater potential for
helping to shape the city. Cities must seek out
creative frameworks for realising projects as an
number of individuals and groups define their roles
within urban development processes.
The city and the city makers improve both the city
and the cities brand image.

I n con c lu si o n:
The cities are changing drastically. Her fore we
need to seek for inventive ways to use our public
space. Cities and governments need to relay
more to their citizens. Give citizens space to
experiment, investigate how the initiatives works
and if it is efficient. If the city or government will
open up for these ideas their city will be attract
more and more of these initiatives. The initiatives
are also changing cities brand, which can be a
opportunity.

117

1.3

Wat b urge rs b ezielt:

Een on der zo ek naar burger init iat ieven:

What inspires citizens:

Research at behavior of citizen in relation to initiatives

What inspires citizens:

Research at behavior of citizen in
relation to initiatives
In the year 2006, Menno Hurenkamp, Evelien
Tonkens and Jan Willem Duyvendak published
their research about citizen initiatives in The
Netherlands. They came across lots of small,
mostly local initiatives. And they found out there
was not so much information and publicity about
these scale of initiatives. During their research
they visited contemporary, spontaneous citizen
initiatives throughout The Netherlands.
Most of these initiatives were started on a small
and local scale. All of them were focused on the
quality of life and solidarity in there surrounding.
Normally the problems are accurate, for example
paid parking in the neighbourhood so there will
be parking problems in front of their houses.
Restructuring plans, a park that is in danger of
being bulldozed by road, an old factory where new
should be located.
The researchers found out that every initiative a
father- or motherfigure has. This person is always
the leader and initiator of the new initiatives. These
figures are also the main contact person in the
neighbourhood.
An initiative has always or the government, or
118

municipality or different various parties as contact.

The role of the various parties depends in which
group you can dived the initiative. There are four
main groups:
-
Light initiatives:
Organizations or initiatives have almost no contact
with the outside world. These are lose and vague
clubs. The social connection as well as the social
capital in these sort of initiatives are not big. Mostly
these initiatives are organised alert, but relatively
solitary operating civilians.
-
Networking initiatives:
Organizations or initiatives maintains little contact,
but maintains close cooperation and liaison with the
government and with the other organizations. The
binding capital is not so big, but interoperability is
dedicated to the targets.
-
Cooperative initiatives:
Organizations or initiatives where they maintain close
contact among themselves, but few look up to the
outside world. They are strong but vague clubs. The
binding capital is larger than the bridging capital.

-
Federal initiatives:
Organizations or initiatives that they maintain
mutual close contact and frequent contact with the
outside world. They are close-knit, woven clubs, and
they both have a binding and bridging capital.
These different initiatives are also lead or organized
by different kind of people. Interesting for the
government is that secondary and lower educated
people to active but light initiatives than higher
educate people. Networking initiatives are most
common among higher educated. Education can
make an difference to get a subsidy.
Secondary and lower educated people often
organise active initiatives. These citizens demand
more cooperation of the local municipality , like
contacts and information. Networking citizens have
a goal to achieve, it does not have to be sociable.
This is concluded of the answers given by the
citizen about their satisfaction in work. To achieve
the goal is more important.

I n co ncl us io n:
The researchers found lots of small initiatives throughout The Netherlands. Interesting was that every
initiative was started with a role model who has started more initiatives. They also found out that if
an initiative is a success and the government is becoming involved, with regulations and procedures,
the people are not longer interested in their project and will stop their initiative. Also the level of
education has an effect on the way the initiative is organised.

Cooperative initiatives have a more solidarity

and development goal. In this category we find
the neighbourhoods committees, residential
collectives and community associations, as well as
kite festivals and living projects. Satisfaction with
the efforts of the initiative is often measured by
the performance of the club itself, then to achieve
external goals. Under the cooperative are also more
older initiatives. Cooperative people are generally
highly motivated.
The most initiatives are started by motivated
people who want to change small local problems.
In some cases the government is interested in these
initiatives and would like to provide them subsidy.
When this happens there will be lots of changes. In
contrast, as when it was started, the government
is now in charge instead of the citizens. This also
effects the motivation of these people.
Their successful initiative has become a financial
corporation, and is no longer lead by the citizens.
So after a while they decided to stop working on
their initiative.
This does not mean that the government should
not be part of the initiative. They should be
loosening the regulations to make these initiatives
possible. And let the citizens know they are well
willing about initiatives and if they have a good
idea they can make it possible.

119

120

O t her inter views the Neth e rl a n d s

.1
.2
.3
.4
.5

Am s terda m
D evente r
Ti l b u rg
Nat i o n a l Ton
Nati o n a l Conny

121

2.1
Trust

Ci t i zens initiatives Am sterd a m

Tru st n o o rd - S im on va n D om m e le n
3 0 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

not taken seriously and express this in distrust or

anger, which in turn ensures that the government
dares to let go even less.
A Trust is a model for citizens or community govIn the United Kingdom there is a different relaernments coming from the United Kingdom. Its
tionship and mind-set between government and
called a Development Trust. It serves as an engine
citizens resulting into about 500 trusts. These are
for a neighbourhood aiming for employment,
in the United Kingdom neighbourhood businesses
training and social interaction with and for local
and local economies which are community led
residents. Because trusts respond to local needs,
companies managing buildings and areas. The
no two development trusts are alike. In addition,
the regeneration of a community has an all-encom- main goal of these companies is to help people
move forward in the district, where governments
passing approach. Therefore these trusts active in
do not rule the roost.
many areas. Key components in a trust are:

Civil Administration: The majority of the

votes are from citizens.

Property: This is the foundation for
Starting a trust

economic actions.

Independence: Trusts stay connected to
To start such a trust there are a number of things

the district but seek cooperation with
needed. To begin, a different mind-set and shifting

companies and agencies.
roles; Citizen participation must shift to govern
Local economies.
ment participation. So the government is partici
Do not rely on subsidies.
pating in civil initiatives and not citizens with the
government. In addition, there are places where
people need to be able to develop in the district.
Train of thought
Thirdly, there is a need for entrepreneurs who take
the lead in a neighbourhood. With their positive
In the Netherlands there is a mind-set that citizens sense these promoters often get the connections
can decide what happens with their district and
and participants in the district needed for the
consent. However, in practice something else hap- initiative.
pens. In the Netherlands government and residents
play pretty predictable roles, leaving them stuck
together. Authorities do not dare to let go of an
area at risk. Residents therefore feel like they are
122

Relationships
A triangular relationship between the director, the
activist, the citizen regulations, belief and creativity
is very important. However, it is an art to connect
these with each other.
Investing in culture in communities brings many
advantages. It is shown that investment in culture
contribute in all areas to the improvement of these
neighbourhoods. Residents, business owners,
police and more benefit from this. In addition these
areas with cultural impulses increase property
values by an average of 10.000 euros.

Trust Noord
Simon van Dommelen is one of the organizers and
enablers of the Trust Noord in Amsterdam North.
This trust serves as the connection between two
worlds.

The living world, the social, cultural and

ethnical matters.

The system world, laws, regulations and

permits. There are a number of success

factors so that an initiative can succeed.

Good local leaders with strong social and

communication skills, an extensive net

work and perseverance.

Creative people who can think outside the

box and give a boost to the community.

Open-minded look regardless of prejudice,

fixed patterns and conventions.

An enterprising coalition that is active
participation, administrative support,
cooperation and especially faith of all
relevant stakeholders.
An open, visible and accessible location
that can serve as a hub for new.
A theme that evokes associations and
inspiration to participants and can serve as
a framework for activities.
Programming activities that require coop
eration and therefore increase the involve
ment of people.

Floor Ziegler was the first to be, in her own neighbourhood, a culture explorer commissioned by the
Amsterdam Fund, Amsterdam North. When she
found out that culture and art could mean a lot for
the district, she decided to create together with a
group of artists a room/stage in the Noorderpark.
This room is located between four underprivileged
neighbourhoods. The trust was very important for
the project. A whole network of artists and organizations had to be convinced and go along with the
ideas.
For one euro she bought the pavilion, which would
become the room, and transported and connected it to the sewerage. All this was done with the
budget reserved for renovation of the city park.
In this pavilion a program was launched where
inhabitants could develop creative initiatives. This
eventually became the platform, called Noorder123

parkkamer, where these inhabitants were able to

realize their dreams in the Noorderpark.
Due to the increasing amount of initiatives in the
Noorderpark, the Trust Noord was created. This
trust serves as a mediator between government
and inhabitants.
The goal of Trust Noord is to create more solidarity
between the adjacent districts of the Noorderpark
and its inhabitants. The trust is created due to
inhabitants and for inhabitants.
The government has a more passive role. There is
a bond of trust between the municipality and the
Northern Trust. They allow more from the trust,
think of licensing and types of initiatives. This is
necessary since initiatives arise spontaneously and
in short term. Furthermore, the municipality gives
more and more responsibility to the residents of
the area.
The inhabitants determine the layout of the park.
The role of government here is increasingly being
adopted. There is the plan to take over a part of the
park in management. New pavilions are going to
be built and more buildings can be acquired. Residents are expected to generate their own revenue
by buildings and land.
Housing associations and authorities assist citizens.
One example is the housing corporations that offers vacant homes and buildings very cheap or for
free and they invest in additional facilities.
Artists and entrepreneurs help Northern Trust to
124

launch initiatives and assure that people are getting along.

hood. The residents themselves are now going to

give content to the programming of the Noorderpark and are searching for amateur talents in the
After the success of Trust Noord, from which more
area. Within this program these talents are able
than 15 initiatives were launched, the initiatives
to further develop themselves. Residents become
have been extended to so-called brood streets.
professionals.
Here artists establish themselves as a resident in a
Noorderpark is a separated between the north and
street with the aim of starting art projects or small
south areas of the park. North of the park there
businesses with their neighbours. This ensured that arose almost no initiatives. The residents in this area
the closed appearance of the streets made place
have a pretty stubborn attitude towards the govfor a much more open and creative attitude. These ernment and did not participate in the park. The
breeding streets are also good examples of local
confidence of these people had first to be won.
economies. After three months the businesses that Initially, the government was sceptical. They were
had arisen already needed an expansion.
asking questions like: Can it succeed such an initiaNext to that, there is Tolhuistuin, an old pavilion
tive? and Can citizens take enough responsibility?
of Shell that had been vacant for years. Nowadays
It turned out that by the enthusiasm of promoters
working spaces are rent to entrepreneurs. This
the Noorderparkkamer became a success and the
foundation has a lot of ties with the area since it has faith became stronger.
been established by the residents themselves.
Finally Trust Noord has many contacts with municipalities throughout the Netherlands to spread her
knowledge about initiatives. This can be seen on
the NDSM terrain. The foundation of NDSM is established by the municipality of Amsterdam. Their
ambition is to develop this spot into a cultural and
creative hotspot. It is important to create a local
economy here, as this is important in all initiatives.
The Noorderparkkamer currently exists four years.
The attitude of the residents has changed over
these years. The Noorderparkkamer has a large
network and has bound itself to the neighbour-

In conclusion
It takes trust to start a coalition between
inhabitants and municipality.
A third party which forms the link between the
municipality and inhabitants is needed.
All three parties, the director, the activist and
the citizen, are needed and have to adapt to
each other in order to achieve a successful, good
initiative.
Local leaders with the ability to enthuse
inhabitants are needed.
It takes some time to get citizens to participate.
Initiatives usually need a lot of support.
There has to be a new open-minded way of
thinking.

125

2.2

Ci t i zens initiative s Deve nte r

Au p i n g Fac to r y - M a r tijn Wille m s
1 7 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

It all started on one day when Martijn biked by the

Auping factory to pick up his kids from school. He
saw the Auping was breaking down a wall to get
out big machinery. Martijn was thinking what this
could mean and soon he realized the factory will
be abandon. He made the connection what that
would mean for the neighbourhood, it made him
remember what it did with a abandon school in the
neighbourhood. The building would be empty for
ten years. First there were burglars to get the copper and more valuable parts, after kids put some
stones through the windows and there will be a
couple of fires over the years. So allot of nuisance
for the neighbourhood.
Auping Factory
To avoid this nuisance from happing, Martijn started to talk to people who are part of this factory.
The first reaction of the Auping factory was how
did he know? There were just a few people who
know about the moving yet. Martijn knew he was
right and was on time to take action. Through his
initiatives he is already doing in his neighbourhood
and his old job working for housing corporation he
could use his network. The goal of Martijn is to use
the factory as a place for the neighbourhood. He
want to make it a place no profitable and without
regulations of the municipality. To make the place
financially enforceable he need it private parties,
who wanted to invest. By using his network and

126

just go to people he found many parties that are

interested to invested. With all the parties it was
possible to fill the factory for 50%. This was enough
to make it enforceable. The parties Martijn put
together various from: A sustainable kart track with
electric karts witch are load with solar power from
the rooftop. And womans in the neighbourhood
who had a sewing club and fix clothes. Also there
would be interaction with the school for vocational
next to the factory they could have learning work
places. Somebody in the neighbourhood fixed cars
but his own garage was too small for all the cars he
fixed. So he could use the factory to do more business in exchange for helping students and looking
over the place.
A place is always in relation with the social and physical of hear environment
By practicing at competition for initiatives ruimte
voor ruim denkers it was an opportunity to
research the possibilities of the ideas and it was
financially enforceable. With off professionals
team costing out; Jens oolthuis, Tom Holland, Kim
Dijkman, Martijn Wubbolts, Daan Stortelder and of
course Martijn Willems they did the research.
In the end the Auping factory will become a pop
up places for small business in the neighbourhood.
With micro credits and professional support people
have the change to extended their work and build
up what they dream off.

In conclusion
The idealism of Martijn is that without help of
the municipality, resident can fix problems in
their neighbourhood. For example he gives a
new function to an empty building by using
people in the region. Being on time got great
influence on the project. The municipality didnt
have plans with the area yet. So there was the
advantage to start by them self with their own
ideas from the area. The municipality stand on
the side line cause they saw good in the initiative. Just alone Martijn could not handle the
project. Through putting a team together of
professionals and resident there was a balance
to make the project work. The team showed the
municipality to take trust and there is a new way
of taking on abandon buildings.

127

2.3

Ci t i zens initiative s Tilburg

J eru z al em - Jorri Ro os e n
3 0 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

Background
After the Second World War the Netherlands had
a big housing shortage. The Jeruzalem district was
designated as an area where homes were built
quickly. Because the housing shortage problem
had to be solved quickly, there arose a lot of prefabricated homes. The quality of these prefabricated
homes was not good. These homes are renovated
or demolished in 2015 . The renovation is aimed
at the modernization, so that they suffice current
housing standards.
The district is the home of approximately 800
people. The earnings are low compared to the
average of Tilburg. The district is designated by
the municipality of Tilburg as Aandachtswijk. An
Aandachtswijk is a neighbourhood where people
have arrearage. These arrears consist of income,
education and employment. Further, a score is
calculated on the basis of the quality of the houses.
When the score reach a certain value, it is refers to
an aandachtswijk (VROM, 2007).

ments. This support consists of financial help. The

main initiative for start-ups is the confidence of
professionals and municipalities. When the role of
the council is reduced, this will not benefit the district. The residents are habituated to uproot the distrust it has become dependent on the government.
And assume that the local controls everything.
The purpose of the initiatives in Jeruzalem is to
improve the living. To improve the living pleasure
for the locals there is a platform created which is
joined by various parties. According to Mr Roosen
it is important that the council should make room
for resident initiatives. Residents should be accompanied by professionals. At present, the residents
of the neighbourhood thrown into the deep, thus
launching initiatives is not working.
Additionally, for the district is important that a
group of residents active and launch initiatives.
They are therefore often the same people who
take the lead. This has the disadvantage that the
residents feel more important than the other
inhabitants. To prevent this there must be set limits,
so that everyone gets the opportunity to launch an
initiative.

Roosen
Jorri Roosen is a social worker, who lives in the
district of Jeruzalem. In exchange for a home Mr
Roosen is working in the neighbourhood at least
A good social worker promotes neighboureight hours a week. In the district several initiatives hood- and residents initiatives.
have been launched. These initiatives are started by
several residents with the help of the professionals
in the district. Recent years, launching initiatives
shifted from welfare to the residents. The initiatives
are supported through organizations and govern128

For Mr Roosen is important that he lives in the

district of Jeruzalem. This ensures that the people
trust him and see him as one of them. It took about
three years before he had won the confidence of
the residents.
Policy
The Tilburg municipal council pursues an active
policy with regard to citizens initiatives. The initiatives should be non-profit and should not benefit
an individual. The municipal council supports people who starts an initiative. This supports consist:
liaise with other initiatives, access to the public
network, granting a permit or financial support. The
municipal council has a special fund for initiatives.
The municipality has a passive role.

In conclusion
Social workers ensure social cohesion within the
district. Additionally, the workers ensure that
citizens initiatives are started and be funded.
The municipality must give people the time
and space to learn to stand on their own feet.
In Tilburg these time and space given to the
residents, public mistrust in government is high.
To prevent this, social workers are deployed to
manage this process properly. When the support
of social workers will stop, no more initiatives will
be launched.

129

2.4

Ci t i zens initiative s Nation a l

I nter v i ew To n va n de r Pe nne n
1 4 -1 0 -2 0 1 5

Ton van der Pens is affiliated with the University of ed in a number of other initiatives that ultimately
Delft. In his career, he has conducted research on
improved the quality of life in the district.
citizen initiatives in the Netherlands and abroad. He
has written several books on this topic.
The role of different parties is important for citizens
initiatives. The parties, government, professionals
Citizens initiatives have various causes, the agreeand residents, must be flexible to each other. The
ments of the citizens initiative is the result. All citigovernment should play a supportive role which
zens will be started because there is a threat to the consists of moral, financial or policy support. It
environment. This threat can be caused by: insecu- must be a constant search for the correct applicarity, litter, impoverishment or vacancy. The aim of
tion of the support.
citizens initiatives is to eliminate the threats. When
this threat is removed, this can have the effect that The government should tightrope.
taking initiatives disappear.
Residents need a leader to take initiatives. This
There are several examples to mention who start
pioneer ensures continuity in the process. It is also
an initiative and what causes these. One example is important for the neighbourhood that the effects
in the Spangen district of Rotterdam. There were in of the initiative are observable. This is important
this district called kluswoningen built for starters. for the environment and for the local government.
These homes consist of just the framework and had Trust in each other must be great to be able to start
to be finished by the new residents themselves.
initiatives and to encourage future initiatives.
After the residents had built the houses, they
focused more on the district. This was due to the
It is important for the parties to learn from the
changing nature of families. There were no facilities past. What has happened in the past with citizen
for children, so the residents started an initiative to initiatives. It is important not re-invent the wheel.
build several facilities for their children.
The citizens initiatives can be traced back to the
squatter movements in the 80s, this group demonIn the Eindhoven neighbourhood Woensel were
strated and complained about the high vacancy
just initiatives launched by the changing comporate at the time. This can be seen as a starting point
sition residents. In the houses were placed junks
for citizens initiatives. It is important to learn from
which gave a lot of nuisances. The residents of
the history.
the district did not agree with this placement and
rebelled against the decision. Ultimately, this result130

When we asked Mr. van der Pennen if he is active in

his neighbourhood, he gave the following answer:
My father was a plumber, he made the most
amazing things, but at home the shower was
always broken.

131

2.5

Ci t i zens initiative s Nation a l

Nat i o n al s u bs idy Conny va n Wiche n
0 2 -1 0 -2 0 1 5

The government
The government have made available a diversity of possibilities for subsidies. The subsidies
are categorised in several themes here are some
examples: Green and action Green Deal Fund
for the Wadden Islands (Waddenfonds) Fund for
Sustainable Water Fund for Production Eastern
Netherlands Facilities for Sustainable Enterprise
and Food Security Traffic and Transport Northern
Brabant.
Conny van Wichen
Conny is always interested in new challenges. She
likes to help people by volunteering. She volunteers for various goals. She is particularly interested
in the preservation of the nature in a sustainable
way. She has built up a network of contacts and
together with two other people she starts up an
initiative by using the Green and action subsidy.
Green and action
Conny van Wichen started the initiative with two
other people to be more self-sufficient in gaining
your own food from the nature.
It is possible to apply for the subsidy with different
goals on the Internet. The application must meet
several requirements and these requirements
are different for each subsidy. The initiatives itself
could be founded through the entire country. This
depends on the conditions of the initiative.

132

The location is Echt in Limburg. The case is a wasteland that was used for agricultural goals. For years
the land has not been used. The main goal within
an initiative is to give citizens the opportunity to be
able to be anything for the Dutch society.
The goal is to create a food forest. The meaning is
that this food forest will create a self-supported
environment. The food forest is not a forest that is
planted for only one year that has to be ploughed
and planted again at the end of that year. It is a
forest that will provide food to the people of Echt
for many years.

scales and locations trough national subsidy.

This initiative takes place on a village-level. The
future food forest is situated at the edge of the
village. Those who are interested are free to take
a look, to help or to pick. One requirement of the
government is that the initiative must create benefits for the surroundings, in this case the inhabitants of Echt.

The initiative (food forest) is in an early, start-up

stage. The owner of the wasteland responded
positive and makes his land available. Overall, three
initiative takers have offered to start the initiative.
The government checks the application which is
The course is going to start in November and will
sub-mitted on the Internet. The application has to
be finished within a year. Afterwards, the purpose is
meet up with several guidelines. After approval the to bring the knowledge in practice and provides a
amount for the initiative will be divided by the type variety of sustainable food for the entire village.
of initiative. This amount can take form as a coupon The government gives the option to sign up on the
or in money that will be transferred. The civilian will Internet for subsidy. Often, the subsidy is released
invest the sum in equipment to start the initiative.
at certain times and there is a limit to the applicaThe government will take care of the financial sup- tions.
port and the civilian will carry out their idea or plan.
It is not always that easy to apply for subsidy on the
The initiative takers of the food forest will invest
Internet. There were some technical errors during
the subsidy of the government in a course. By
the request for the subsidy. The website of the subtaking part of the course as a civilian, the knowlsidy request had some trouble with the processing
edge which will be absorbed will be invested in
of the amount of people who wanted to log in.
the citizens initiative. The knowledge is for great
There where this year 795 places available for 1000
importance to succeed the goal of the initiative.
euro per person for the national subsidy of green
This knowledge will also be carried over to other
and action. The people who were aware of this
or future participants of the initiative. The governtried to gain access to the website at the same time.
ment is supporting local initiatives on different
Because of the overloading, the website stranded.

In conclusion
The government makes it not easy to sign up for
a national subsidy. Paperwork is needed to be
done and it takes effort to log in to the website.
Then, the next question is whether you will get
the grant. It is possible that the government
makes it the citizens this difficult because they
dislike to spend money to an initiative. It also
could that they hope that people take action
without the help of the government because
this will create a more sustainable initiative.

133

134

O t her inter views Poland

.1
.2
.3
.4
.5
.6

I nter v iew
I nter v iew
I nter v iew
I nter v iew
I nter v iew
I nter v iew

Igor Stokf is zews k i

G os ia Le s zko - M a gda Lesz ko
Agata Kona r zews k a
M a r ta P a che ck a
Andr ze j G r z
Tom e k M at ys ia k

135

5.1

Ci t i zens initiative s Warsaw

I nter v i ew I gor Stokf is zews k i
2 2 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

Ursus district
Ursus is a district located in the South-West of
Warsaw with a population of roughly 55000 inhabitants. The district originally consisted out of three
villages and was called Czechowice. Since 1923 an
industrial plant was opened the district, back then
still a town, which provided work for a lot of the
residence in the area. During World War II the factory was taken over by Germans producing weapons.
It was not until after the war, during the communist
era, the factory began studies on the production of
agricultural tractors. Because of this developments
and the growth of the factory the district began to
grow rapidly. The town changed its name to Ursus
in 1954 and became one of the large developments
part of Warsaw in 1977. The residential area mainly
consisted high blocks of flats. Because the communistic government was in charge of the factory
the residents were working in and depending on
this factory. The Ursus factory became the biggest
factory producing tractors in Europe. Because of
the fall of communism in the early 90s the factory
was being closed. Because of the large scale of the
factory this process of closing took almost 20 year.
In 2010 the factory was completely shut down.
Ursus znaczy niedwied (Ursus means bear)
Ursus means bear is founded in 2012 by Jaminy
Wjcik, an artist with family relations to the factory.
The name of the initiative is based on the character called Ursus from the novel Quo Vadis Henryk
Sienkiewicz. Ursus is a male name of Latin origin.
136

It derives from the word Ursus meaning bear. By

the time the initiative was launched large modern
housing developments combined with the demolition of the remains of the factory were threatening
the neighbourhood and more important its history,
identity and social culture. The authorities who
decide what type of people are going to move into
the new residential developments do not consider
the conflict it might cause with the original inhabitants of the district.
A collection of both material and personal memoirs
has always been kept in the factory. Because of the
developments in the district the factory building
including the collection was bought by Bumar who
then again sold the whole collection. The ex-workers always thought this collection was in a way their
property and were shocked it was suddenly sold.
They realised the last material trace of the factory
could be sold out and disappear forever. Their demand is a material trace of the industrial history of
Ursus, which they called a museum. After convincing the government about the cultural importance
of this collection it was bought back by the state.
Because of the transition from communism to
capitalism the original inhabitants of Ursus district
had a strong feeling that nobody is interested in
their history and stories. This is caused by a general attempt to forget about communism and the
industrial past in Poland. During communism the
factory workers used to be the top of the society.
Suddenly they were moved to the very low level of

social appreciation, social respect, etc.

The Ursus means bear initiative aims to protect
the history, identity and social culture of the district
by making culture a kind of platform to direct the
new developments in Ursus. This way the original
inhabitants of the district become more involved
with the decision making of the new residential
areas. The inhabitants of the older generation are
a source of information about history and cultural
identity of Ursus factory and district. They are mostly involved with the development of the museum.
After reclaiming the memoirs they became tired of
the struggle for this museum and have the feeling that now they should rest a little bit and the
city and district council should do their thing. The
younger generation is more active and wants to
be involved with the initiative as much as possible.
Jaminy Wjcik and Igor Stokfiszewski are part of a
group which functions as a mediator. They are promoting the initiative and connecting the community with different authorities and governments.
Different resources are used to reach various goals.
Many cultural tools are used to empower the
people of Ursus. These tools also help convince
the authorities of the district and city about the
importance to base the new identity and social
dynamic on the history and heritage of industrial
culture. A campaign was addressed to the authorities of the city and Poland showing the factory was
the biggest tractor factory in Europe and therefore
a kind of national heritage. Finally a documentary

has been made to promote and inform a broader

audience about the activities happing surrounding
the factory.

In conclusion
The main activator for people to take action is a
threat. In this case this threat is both the loss of
historical and personal belongings together with
the rapidly developing housing projects. Using
the history and culture as valuable elements
Ursus means bear has become successful initiative. Many of the goals the residents had would
have never been reached without the help of
mediators. These professionals is able to more
easily connect with and convince authorities and
governments. These persons also helped to gain
back the trust between the different involved
parties and give hope to the residents of Ursus.

137

5.2

Ci t i zens initiative s Warsaw

I nter v i ew G os ia Le s zko - M a gda Le s zko

2 2 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

Osiedle Przyja is a neighbourhood build for

Russian works who were building the Palace of
Culture and Science. The neighbourhood was a
gated community and just occupied with Russian
workers. The inhabitants were not allowed to get
off the area other then work. It was a well-planned
neighbourhood with all the facilities they needed,
a little city with a cinema, library and culture centre.
The buildings are all from the year 1952 and are
made from wood. There were two kind of houses
individual house and three housing in one. After
the Palace of Culture and Science was completed
the workers left and the neighbourhood was given
to the universities of the city. The individual houses
where given to the professors and academic the
rest was given to students as a dormitory. The most
of the people who live in this neighbourhood came
there in the 60. And now a days the relation with
universities is gone. There are around 3000 people
living and 300 of them are students. When the
neighbourhood was build it was outside of Warsaw.
Now the citys boundaries are expend and Osiedle
Przyja is just five kilometres from the city centre
at this moment.
The flats and house are not private, they belong to
the state, administered by the city and managed
by one of the universities. There is a complicated
structure, People have just the right to life in the
houses. Normally people could buy this flats for
a low price but this did not happened in Osiedle
Przyja. Buildings with social or community
138

function did not be finical profitable after the fall of

communism and rise of capitalism. Those buildings
became empty in the 90, there were no buildings
were people could meet. The biggest fright for the
community is that they will be demolished because
there is no zoning plan for the area. People lived
under this fear of being demolished for years they
hear the rumors many years. The neighbourhood
is used by people around the area cause its a nice
green area which is not often found in the region.
After years of waiting and not try to get any attention, the community was hoping to survive. The
idea was, we dont bother you, they will not bother
us. At the same time there where teams of professionals trying to reopen the culture buildings in the
neighbourhood. Without great success every time
it closed after a time and a new team came.
When the municipality desided to destroy a lot
of buildings and in the future it was the plan to
destroy all the buildings. Gosia Leszko and Magda
Leszko deside to do something about it. Save a
building that was a symbol for the neighbourhood
which was social place for the neighbourhood. It
had a culture function, local radio, meeting place,
local culture club and a place where people go to
meet. After saving one building it became a saving
plan for the whole neighbourhood. They saved
the first building by make the history visible. They
collected stories of people there have being living
there. After they used the building to organize

activities for the neighbourhood by letting people

of the community beside what to do.
The focus is now on two activities, one is integrate
the community, second is to fight for the neighbourhood against local authority. The goal is to
save the neighbourhood by making a zoning plan
and first make it protect the by preservation of the
city. To make this happen they try to get attention
of the local municipality. This did not work well because the the local municipality saw just a couple
of girls and not professionals, nobody took them
serious. They came up with an idea to get more
attention by using the media. The media picked
up the story and listen to their stories and showed
how nobody was listing to them. This worked well
at the municipality took them serious and were
starting to listen to the stories they had to tell.

In Conclusion
The most important for Gosia Leszko and Magda
Leszko was to do something and stop waiting
for something to happen.. Showing the stories
and the history off the people who lived in the
neighbourhood. This gives the neighbourhood
a personal and emotional value. Even there was
problems to be heard, cause it was not professional enough they started more initiatives to
get heard. The media was a great strength in the
initiative and is not to be underestimated. In a
neighbourhood where everybody knows each
other and there is a habit to do nothing and just
wait. Involve those people as much as can in the
initiative. do not be sacred about what people
think of that.

139

5.3

Ci t i zens initiative s Warsaw

Pac a Co m m u nit y ce ntre - Agata Kona r zewsk a
2 2 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

Praga
Located on the east bank of the River is one of the
oldest districts of Warsaw called Praga. For many
years it was considered a secondary part of the city
that survived the devastation of war. Catholicism,
Orthodoxy and Judaism where peacefully living
together. Praga has been considered one of the
most dangerous districts of Warsaw. Many of the
buildings are in decay and housing lower income
residents.
Thanks to the artists and musicians who have
migrated to the neighbourhood Praga is regaining
respect for its architectural heritage and shedding
its notoriety as the wild zone of Warsaw. Praga has
become Warsaws precious historic area filled with
old tenements and factories. Their bricks, still full
of holes of wartime bullets, wrought-iron embellishments and facades with art nouveau details
pleading for restoration. The historical neglected
buildings are filled with interesting galleries, bars,
restaurants and clubs that fill a void left by Warsaws headlong race toward westernization. Therefore this district is getting increasingly popular by
both the citizens of Warsaw and tourists.
Paca Community centre
The first community centre in Warsaw is believed
to be founded in 1995. Around 2005 there was an
140

attempt to start more of these type of places. Only

one was actually realized. Since 2009 more places
of this kind where starting to emerge. The Paca
Community Centre has been founded in 2011 in
Praga district in Warsaw. Its part of a larger association called Local Activity Support Centre (CAL Association). CAL Association is a national, non-governmental organization, initiating and implementing
educational programs to support the activization
and development of local communities.
Praca Community Centre is part of the Q-Neighbours Movement (Quality-Neighbours movement).
Many residents in Poland are introvert. Meaning
they are not in contact with there neighbours in
any way. A good example of bad social interaction
is, when people pass each other on the street there
is no greet. Q-Neighbours movements goal is to
strengthen neighbourly bonds between citizens
of Warsaw by promoting the idea of the highest
quality neighbourhood and neighbourhood relations. This way social trust can be reached within
the neighbourhood. An example of an initiative to
strengthen neighbourly bonds is a social campaign
for saying Good morning! to your neighbours.
Doing this is the first step to get to know your
neighbours

residents participating. Community centres dont

organise any activities itself. Choices and activities
are being done based on what the inhabitants
want. The community centre has a budget, coming
from the municipality, and is there to facilitate the
community when needed. Because many residents
are not really familiar with the concept of community cen-tres they sometimes see them as intruders
in the neighbourhood. By educating both the
community and authorities about community centres this idea is being changed. And by using real
examples of initiatives in the neighbourhood Praca
Community Centre is proving to the community
and authorities that community centres work and
can work in this district too. Right now the idea of a
community centre is not only getting more popular
but even a fashionable element of the neighbourhood.

Praca Community Centre collaborates with various

parties in order to achieve its goals. Many initiatives
are carried out by local residents and volunteers.
They are proposing most of these initiatives and
are therefore also involved with the realization.
Next to that, they collaborate with numerous local
non-governmental organizations. These organizations are allowed to use the space available in
the community centre for free. The building Praca
Community centres are rather unknown in PoCommunity Centre is located in a public building.
land. Many people think it is the same as a cultural Everyone is free to enter and use the space availacentre. Cultural centres organise workshops and ac- ble.
tivities for residents and are also being paid by the

As mentioned before Praca Community Centre is

paid by the government to provide for the community. They are part of a network of many community
centres all over Warsaw. The municipality of Warsaw
is very interested in the role community centres
have in neighbourhoods and therefore made them
part of the citys strategy and politics. It is in some
way for the best when community centres are run
by people who are not from the neighbourhood.
This way they are not getting to much involved
with certain problems in the neighbourhood. As
long as the community is making use of the added
value community centres can keep on having initiatives and activities in the neighbourhood. It gives
these community centres a powerful place within
neighbourhoods.
In conclusion
There are already cultural centres in Poland. In
these centres workshops and other activities are
being organised and paid for by the participants.
Community centres are still an unknown and
strange thing for many people and therefore
not well used. In contrast to cultural centres,
community centres are there to help citizens
organise activities instead of organising it for
them. A community centre needs to be trusted by the residents in order to be successful.
It is best when community centres are run by
non-locals. They are not very attached to the
neighbourhood and therefore will not get to
much involved with certain movements in the
community. The Polish government has an open
attitude towards community centres.

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5.4

Ci t i zens initiative s Warsaw

Nei gh b o u r s - d ay - M a r ta P a che ck a
2 2 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

Q-Neighbours Movement

Easier to get to know their neighbours.

Q-Neighbours Movement is a project of CAL Association (Local Activity Support Centre) in partnership
with the Warsaw Center of Civic Cooperation. Their
goal is to strengthen neighbourly bonds between
citizens in Warsaw. They encourage neighbours to
act together, help them organize local initiatives
and realize the need to account for their surroundings. Paca Community Centre is part of this movement and is facilitating initiatives and activities
coming from the community in Praga district. As a
resident of Praga Marta is actively involved within
the Q-Neighbours Movement and therefore closely
connected to the Paca Community Centre.

First they were going door by door to ask people

if they are interested to help start an initiative. The
problem of this was that residents quickly become
suspicious when they are being asked to participate in an initiative. A different approach to get
people involved was needed. Based on the European Neighbours Day the idea to organise a similar
event arose. By searching the web on how to
organise such an event they came in contact with
Q-Neighbours Movement who helped organising
the first neighbours day in Praga.

The need
As a mother with young children it is a challenge
to go somewhere because you have to take lots of
things for the children with you. Therefore it is not
so easy to meet friends all over the city. Living in a
block of flats Marta felt the lack of a public space
where other parents and children can meet. She
had the feeling this would not only make her living
environment more comfortable but also enhance
the social cohesion and community spirit in the
block of flats. The need of a playground in the area
was the starting point of Marta and a good friend
to take initiative to create a more mother friendly
place in the neighbourhood. It will also make it
142

residents and the community center. After Marta

moved to a different neighbourhood someone else
took the responsibility to start and organize something for the neighbourhood.

Neighbours day
Neighbours day turned out to be a huge success causing it to become a returning event in
the neighbourhood. It was the starting point of
petitions signed by the residents in order for authorities to build the playground. Many events like
community barbecues, Christmas neighbours day
and even the recording of a videoclip for the song
Happy by Pharrell Williams, for which they even
received a public grant, to promote the neighbour-hood where organized.
Although she never appointed herself as a leader,
in a natural way Marta became one for the neighbourhood. She was seen as the person to go to if
you want to organize something for the neighbourhood. This created a fluid communication between

In conclusion
In order to maintain a fluid communication
between residents and the community centre it is
very useful the have a leader within the community. Being a leader does not mean this person is
the most important resident of the community.
Most often this role comes natural to a person in a
group. Besides having a leader it is very important
to get as many people involved in the initiative or
activity as possible. This will increase the chance
of success.

143

5.5

Ci t i zens initiative s Warsaw

Jazdw - An dr ze j G r z
2 1 -0 9 -2 0 1 5

The open jazdw

Jazdow is the cradle of Warsaw. It is here, where
the entire history of the Polish capital began. Here
was the Waza castle, this was the largest and oldest
military hospital in Poland. There were the gardens
of Queen Bona and king Stanislaw Poniatowski. He
planned his residence here. This vast green space
stretched form Piekna street to Agrykola street, a
town within the city, with its own laundry, kitchen,
pharmacy, all that a town needs, including a narrow
gauge railroad with tracks leading to each building.
The Jazdow Finnish houses quarter was erected
in 1945, with houses from Finland. Finland lost
the war, they had to pay a contribution to the
Soviet Union. The houses are modular constructions, like Lego bricks. The plan was to produce a
lot of element in one factory, transport them far
into the mainland and put them together easily
in 1-2 days. These houses were put in the quarter
higher Ujazdow, as well as in lower Ujazdow in the
Mokotowskie. The original plan considered a temporary house project for the Warsaw Reconstruction Office workers. Who designed the Warsaws
reconstruction after the world war two. 1945, when
Warsaw was basically a ground zero, such house
could be deemed a luxury: running water and electricity. Only there were no bathrooms. Until 1970s
the quarter had public baths. Of course the inhabitans expanded and adjusted the houses to their
needs. These are wooden structures flexible and
easy to expand. But still with two or three generations under one roof, these 50 square meters could
144

be pretty crowdie, so more space was needed.

Jan Mencwel
In case of Jan Mencwel, he didnt live in Jazdow, it
began when he got the news that the finnish houses were to be demolished. The district authorities
decided, that the houses didnt fit to the prestigious
character of the downtown. Having embassies and
the parliament around wooden houses wouldnt
do. So they began demolishing the houses and
evicting their inhabitants. Jan has different ideas on
urban development, on whether there is space for
wooden houses and greenery, or only for embassies and shopping malls and condos. So he thought
something must be done to save this place. Especially thet he thought there are more people with
similar beliefs. Its not like if anyone tells the city to
remove something, you can just say: oh, too bad,
it was a nice place. We can actually save it if we
like it! When we see value in a property and if we
want others to notice it too. Somewhere around
Christmas 2014, they came up with a call for the
people to send cards to the district authorities, with
New Year wishes to the authorities to change their
minds and save the Finnish houses. Various people
where not known before took part in this. They
found out there was a potential, so they took action
and maybe receive support. They wanted to show
what they had known already: that the houses
tenants are not hermetic, they welcome activates.
And it would be a shame to evict such a wonderful
community.

In 2011 Andrzej Grz was invited with his neighbors for a meeting with district authorities, who
told us to move out, because the houses would be
demolished, as they collided with the zoning plan.
It was when Andrzej Grz started to take action.
Together with his neighbor Daniel, they tried to
spread the news about the danger to this place.
It began with a Night of museums, then the open
housing festival. In the meantime, four houses
were demolished at the turn of December. The
Finnish Ambassador got involved, and managed
to convince the authorities that several houses
might be worth saving. 4,5 or 6 houses were to be
removed into another quarter opposite of the red
building. Owing that intervention they met Janek
and proposed a reopening of the houses, wich
happened last year during the night of the museums. For the first time a wider audience was able to
get inside. That was awesome a lot of people were
here. And they had more and more people wishing
to do something here. There was no direct danger
of demolition, but there are still people who see
this as a perfect place for activities. The abandoned
houses used to be residential, its the first time the
district authorities agreed to open houses for social
and cultural activities. A large group of people got
interested in putting the houses into use and showing their great potential. During the three months
of summer a lot of events happened here: concerts,
debates and garage sales.
One time after that night of the museums lots
of new people came. Perhaps they got info from

145

146

somewhere that something could get be done

here. That these huts are abandoned can be utilized. New ideas came about. As soon as the people
were present, we began trying to gather them, so
that the work was not dispersed but so that we
would all cooperate. Some things started from
ideas by that group of new people like building a
recreational square. They had long discussed about
how to make it and what from. Until we drawn the
final plan together. There is now a group of maybe
a dozen people here in permanent contact with
each other.
Janek, would tell about the cooperation. They also
pushed through a motion for a public consultation
on the future of this area. They needed to achieve,
so that the district and city authorities would have
to take a moment to think about this area and ask
the citizens. The citizens would also have a chance
of influencing how the area could function and
look like in the future. They hoped for having a
chance to nicely say goodbye to the houses, but
they actually managed to turn it over. Starting
with the concept of not having any house nor any
discussion about them, they got to the point of
having the demolitions halted and discussing with
their inhabitants about what to do. What surprised
them was that they managed not only to get
people interested, but also to change the course
of the events. Its not like the downtown is only for
straight wide streets. Warsaw is already pretty chaotic, and it cant be changed. So they need to start
seeing advantages in that. One of the sites showing

the chaos may be creative and inspiring is Jazdow,

a place no urban planner would ever design. lets
put wooden houses in here and form a quarter. It
couldnt be invented, it came up by chance. Lets
enjoy it!
In Conclusion

Because the exaptations where low the initiators

got a lot of energy when they reached higher
goals then expected. By gaining this energy,
they maintain fighting for even more higher
goals. Showing the stories and the history off
the people who lived in the neighbourhood. This
gives the neighbourhood a personal and emotional value. Trough showing the history of the
place parties with great influence got involved,
in the case of Jazdw this was the Finnish embassy. Initiators looked not just for support in
Jazdw but also around the neighbourhoods. By
collecting more parties there developed a various of activities in Jazdw. Trough this activities
Jazdw get a lot of support from the inhabits of
Warsaw. Modify the zone plane and other rules
the existence of Jazdw can be continued.

147

5.6

Ci t i zens initiative s Pozna

I nter v i ew To m e k M at ys ia k
0 5 -1 1 -2 0 1 5

The anarchistic movement Rozbrat was founded

after Tomek Matysiak and his band had played in
Potsdam, Germany. After the concert they met
some guys of an anarchistic movement and Tomek
and his bandmates decided to start such a movement in Pozna. The movement squat an house to
create their own community where they can live
and could organize activities. In the beginning the
house was a meeting point for the movement, later
they became more politically active. Rozbrat supported protest against the local government.
Rozbrat started focusing on the housing problems
in the city in 2009. Rozbrat supported five residents
of a house which was bought by two businessman.
The businessman wanted to renovate the house
and sell it. The city council was the owner of the
house and sold it to the businessman. The residents
living there, based on social rent.
Rozbrat alerted the city council to the fact that the
residents simply put on the street by the businessman. The city council initially said it was not there
responsibility since the building was not their
property anymore. Rozbrat helped the residents
by using local media to pressure the city council
to take action. The city council ensured that the
residents get another places to live. Four years
after the protest the house is still empty and is not
renovated yet.

148

This example is a clear indication of the difficulties

in Pozna. After World War II large parts of the population were homeless and needed houses. New
houses were quickly built by the city council who
also became the owner of the houses. After the fall
of the communism the city council sold the houses
to private investors. Rozbrat are fighting against
this development.

In conclusion
Rozbrat is not only active in their own neighbourhood, but throughout the city. It is a special
party in the city. Rozbrat is against the privatization and evictions in the city. In addition to
active and passive tasks. Rozbrat defends houses
of residents against the private investors.
The actions are enabled to get media attention
and stands up for the rights of the residents.
Through media attention Rozbrat become more
famous and are demanded by citizens with
problems to help them.

149

Authors:
Arne Halman
arnehalman@hotmail.com

Marjolein Pauly
m.pauly@live.nl

Gerben Boink
gerben_boink@hotmail.com

Mark Sander van Beijnum

msvanbeijnum@gmail.com

Job Ellens
jobellens1990@gmail.com

Maxim Weyhenke
maximweyhenke@gmail.com

In cooperation with:

NHTV
University of Applied Sciences

RDH
Architects & Urban Planners

Dutch Embassy in Warsaw

Netherlands

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4811 DK Breda
+31 76 533 26 00

Chwaliszewo 68
61-105 Pozna
+48 61 85 24 683

Kawalerii 10
00-468 Warszawa
+48 22 5591200

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