Dutch cities are using wijkwandelingen, or neighbourhoods walks, as a hyperlocal way of improving cities, from fixing signs to adding playgrounds `This street sign is crooked,` notes Henny Koot, then stoops down to straighten it.We are in Spoorwijk, a neighbourhood in The Hague. `Spoorwijk is a very special neighbourhood. Itīs a green space where children can play safely in the playgrounds, where entrepreneurs from different cultures have set up shop. People care about each other,` explains Koot, who chairs a local community organisation. Spoorwijk may be a caring neighbourhood, but itīs part of Laak, The Hagueīs smallest district - as well as one of its poorest and most diverse. The average annual income of its 6,500 residents is EUR16,300 (Ģ14,225) - about EUR1,350 (Ģ1,180) a month. In 2017, 67.3% of the inhabitants of Spoorwijk were of non-Dutch background - the majority from Surinam, but also from Turkey and Morocco.Engaged citizens take care of their neighbourhood and their neighbours Related: Sun terraces and lawns: Dutch residents transform parking spaces Continue reading...
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