Buytenwegh in motion: together we make the neighborhood more beautiful
Municipality of Zoetermeer , in collaboration with housing corporations De Goede Woning, Stedelink, Vidomes and inZet, the organization for support, welfare and (youth) care, conducted a neighborhood exploration in Buytenwegh. More than 500 conversations with enthusiastic residents, both door-to-door and online, have given a good picture of what is going on in the neighborhood.
Buytenwegh is a diverse and green neighbourhood with involved residents. In addition to the many initiatives that are already there for and by residents, there are also points of attention. Such as poverty, loneliness, limited flow on the housing market and an outdated shopping centre. Based on the results, the municipality will work together with the housing corporations, social partners and residents on a plan for the neighbourhood for the coming years.
According to Alderman Velzen: "Buytenwegh is a district that needs attention and at the same time a district where people like to live. This was clearly evident from the involvement and solidarity during our door-to-door visits, the written questions and the large turnout at residents' evenings. In the coming period, residents will be actively involved in drawing up a plan to improve Buytenwegh. Everyone will have the opportunity to think along. We are open to ideas, listen to what is going on and enter into discussions with everyone who wants to contribute. Where possible, we will start working on improvements to the public space."
Opportunities and challenges in the field of housing and liveability
In the coming period, the improvement plans will focus on 4 important topics.
- Buytenwegh Shopping Center - Improvement of appearance, safety and cleanliness.
- Safety - More safety on the street and in traffic
- Social cohesion and encounter - Strengthening contact between residents
- Public space and greenery - Improving greenery and play areas
By working together with housing corporations and inZet, activities in the living environment can also be better coordinated during the process of making social housing more sustainable.
Bertine Spijkers, director of inZet, says: "Working together on the Buytenwegh neighbourhood exploration from the start has great added value. Together we see all kinds of possibilities for more substantive connection and new solutions. Together with the residents and partners we are realising a more beautiful and pleasant Buytenwegh."
The directors of the corporations add: "The district exploration and the meeting have provided us with important information about the living environment. That is why cooperation with the municipality, inZet and the corporations is important. In this way, we can develop an area-oriented district approach together. The inventory phase is almost complete and we are looking at which actions we can initiate in the district in the short term and which actions in the longer term."
Working together: what next?
The municipality and its partners want to make plans together with residents. Everyone who has previously indicated that they want to think along will be approached.
Before the summer recess, an action list with quick improvements will be shared with the council. At the end of 2025, the council will discuss the guidelines for the long-term area approach.
Would you like to know more about the developments in Buytenwegh or help think about the plans? Then look at the district website www.zoetermeer.nl/buytenwegh-de-leyens of the municipality of Zoetermeer.
