Ganzendijk: off or on the map?
Ganzedijk is a small hamlet in the north-east of the Dutch province of Groningen. The region is known for its old communist ideals, vast agricultural landscape and stagnating regional economy. Demographic prognoses predict a decline of about 10% of the total regional population up to 2025. The remote settlement consists of 57 small outdated working class houses and has its social problems. Several houses have windows covered with plywood and overgrown gardens. With a housing market with more supply than demand, it was no wonder an agency, the municipality, province and housing corporation advised to dismantle the hamlet in several stages.
Though the inhabitants acknowledged the situation, they did feel comfortable to live in Ganzedijk and wanted to continue to do so. Urging messages were spread in regional en national media, covering the story of “the demolition of an entire village”. As reply the inhabitants came with an alternative plan: “Energiek Ganzediek”, to preserve their houses, develop additional small-scale local services in recreation and tourism and to produce their own electricity. Allthough the authorities involved did not moved the topic from the agenda, the housing corporation, the municipality and local citizens are now moving towards cooperation to search for alternative options for the area. As a first step, a technical report has been drawn up concerning the conditions of the houses. The initiatives of the alternative report are subject to further investigation.
