Perforated cities: revitalizing the housing market

Theme

This demonstration project deal with revitalizing the housing market within the theme innovative housing.

Short description of the pilot

The whole East Groningen region has a shrinking population, which will even lead in the years to come to a falling number of households and a decrease in the demand for homes. The consequences of the decline are already manifesting themselves in Ganzedijk. Analyses of the population development show that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that the decline will continue in the years to come. That does not make Ganzedijk a special case, but this is the initial onset of a trend that is highly likely to affect more hamlets and villages in the municipality of Reiderland. Over the past year KAW architects has conducted a study for the Municipality of Reiderland and the province of Groningen on the quality of the homes in Ganzedijk, the housing market in relation to the decline, the wishes of the residents, the social situation affecting the residents, and a spatial analysis has been carried out. It led to a lot of media attention and commotion resulting in natioal publicity and the resign of the responsible politicians. The inhabitants now work on an alternative plan, and care organisations have started an intensive helping programme. Depending on the outcome Reiderland will work out the different scenarios for the village within DC NOISE .

Main aim

Work out different scenarios that deal with the population decline and the resulting pauperization in villages. In this pilot 3 scenarios will be developed that show ways to prevent cases in which population decline leads to an undirected and mounting social and physical collapse. One of the scenarios could be the relocation of tenants in phases to a different, good quality rented home and provide them with support in their new residential situation. For the longer term, develop a plan that responds to the rate of decline.

Expected results

A plan to significantly improve the liveability in villages dealing with decline.
Reach agreement with all parties on how to purchase and pay for the pauperised privately-owned houses.
A report which describes the experiences and insights yielded by the plan, and come up with a method by which decline can be facilitated and regulated.

Co-partners

• the municipality of Reiderland
• the province of Groningen
• housing corporations
• healthcare organisations
• architects
• inhabitants