Urban revitalisation
In the Netherlands a large number of urban areas deal with an amalgame of problems usually consisting of a dangerous mix of high-unemployement rates, drug abuse, violence, juvenile delinquency, educational withdrawal in the inner cities. A Goverment sponsored program aimes at revitalizing these areas. The resulting standard approach is mono-focussed on concentrations of underprivileged groups and the typical remedie is to demolish the entire area and rebuild it.
The policy is directed towards symptoms: easy to localize and easy to suggestion solutions. The underlying causes get little attention and the problems often pop up a little later in neighbouring areas. A symptom that has been dubbed the Waterbed-effect.
What are the requirements for a future urban neighbourhood to be able to be consistently offer their inhabitants a positive outlook?
Inspiring interviews were held with with Prof. R. van Engelsdorp Gastelaars, Emeritus Professor University of Amsterdam and Gert Middelkoop, economist and planologist.
Framework showing a coherent palette of actions which urban developpers can apply to improve 'failed' neighbourhoods.