Ground for Wellbeing
Have you already heard about the soil problems in Amsterdam North? The Tuindorp Oostzaan neighborhood was built 100 years ago with temporary housing for the workers of the NDSM shipyard. Today, these characteristic houses are still standing, but they are suffering from subsidence (the concrete slabs on which the houses were built are sinking). On top of that, some houses are facing moisture problems because the groundwater level is very high. To make the soil more climate-resilient and to preserve this beautiful neighborhood for the future, the project Ground for Wellbeing (Dutch: Bodem voor de Buurt) has been launched. The research group Creative Media for Social Change is closely following every step of the process.
Ground for Wellbeing
In Ground for Wellbeing, research is being conducted into possible solutions to help address the problems in the neighborhood. It is important that these solutions are a good fit for the area and its residents. In addition, the project contributes to the renovation of a specific square in Tuindorp Oostzaan: Plejadenplein. Together with local residents, project partners are designing a plan that makes the soil more climate-resilient while also creating more greenery, supporting biodiversity, improving health, and making the neighborhood a more pleasant place to live.
Learning, observing, and listening
As a research group, we contribute by documenting the evaluation and outcomes of the co-creation process within the project. Using visual methods and techniques such as photo reflection cards, video walks, and self-reporting, we capture the expectations and experiences of residents and project partners. In this way, we will follow all changes over the next three years from different perspectives. During the video walks, for example, residents show relevant places in the neighborhood and share their impressions of the co-creation process. We share these videos with project partners in work sessions, so that together we can develop (new) insights that can be directly applied in the continuation of the project.
Objectives
In the first six months of the project, we observed that the relationships between residents, project partners, and the (proposed) measures are crucial to the project’s success. That is why our research focuses on these three types of relationships and how they evolve over time.
At the end of the project, we will produce a documentary, podcast, and exhibition to share the outcomes with a broader audience. We will also share the lessons learned with other cities facing similar challenges. Across Europe and worldwide, many places are grappling with soil-related issues as extreme weather events and longer periods of drought become a reality. In densely populated areas, it is an additional challenge to address these issues in a way that respects the people who already live there and wish to remain. With Ground for Wellbeing, we aim to contribute to this urgent question.
External partners
The project bodemvoordebuurt.nl runs from December 2024 to June 2028 and is funded by the EU (European Urban Initiative grant). Project partners include: the Municipality of Amsterdam, GGD, Amsterdam Rainproof, Waternet, Ymere, One Architecture, Muzus, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, University of Amsterdam, the Zoönomic Institute, and the Knowledge Centre for Soil Subsidence and Foundations. They collaborate closely with the residents, entrepreneurs, and organizations of Tuindorp Oostzaan.
Project team
Astrid Lubsen-van Roij – Project owner
Nick Verouden – Project officer
Marisha Cottington – Student assistant