Neighbourhood Survey 2026: tell us what you think of your neighbourhood

The ‘Buurtbelever’ is a major survey into the quality of life in the municipality of Apeldoorn. We use a questionnaire to ask residents how they experience their neighbourhood, district or village.

We ask questions on topics such as:

• housing and the living environment;
• safety;
• health;
• traffic and transport;
• sustainability;
• contact with neighbours;
• local amenities.

The results help the local authority to better understand what matters to residents. We can also see how neighbourhoods are changing, as we repeat the survey every two years.

For the ‘Buurtbelever’ survey, a large group of residents will receive an invitation by post. We will ensure that residents from both the town and the villages take part. In addition, anyone can complete the questionnaire via this page. All responses will be processed anonymously. The results will then be weighted to ensure they provide an accurate picture of the entire municipality.

The Buurtbelever gives us an insight into how residents experience their neighbourhood. The more people take part, the more reliable the results are.

We use the results to:

• to maintain and improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods and villages;
• to draw up and assess plans for neighbourhoods and villages;
• to work in a area-specific manner;
• to monitor developments in neighbourhoods over the years.

In 2024, 8,656 residents completed the questionnaire. Thanks to their responses, we now have a better understanding of what matters to residents.

A number of notable findings:

• Our residents have a positive view of living in their neighbourhood or village: on average, they give a rating of 7.6 for ‘enjoyable living in the neighbourhood’.
•  Residents of Apeldoorn are satisfied to very satisfied with the quality and availability of facilities in their neighbourhood. On average, they give a score of 7 for shops, 7.3 for healthcare facilities, 7.8 for green spaces and 8 for opportunities for outdoor exercise. Social facilities receive an average score of 6. A lack of awareness is likely to be a factor here: half of the respondents state that they have no reason to visit a community centre.
• Of the residents, 77% say they have good or very good relations with their neighbours. 4% have (very) poor relations.
• According to 58% of residents, the most important issue that needs to be addressed is ‘traffic and transport’. ’Safety‘ comes in second place, with 47%. In 2022, traffic and transport was still referred to as ’mobility’, and 28% of residents considered this to be the most important issue. The fact that not everyone had a clear understanding of the term ‘mobility’ probably played a part in this.
• 33% of residents have provided informal care over the past two years, and 38% are involved in voluntary work.
• The sense of insecurity in one’s own neighbourhood or village, both during the day and at night, is showing a downward trend. 10% of residents often feel unsafe at night (down from 5%). During the day, this figure is 4% (previously 1%). 77% rarely or never feel unsafe during the day, and 59% rarely or never feel unsafe at night.
• More people report experiencing nuisance than in 2022. Of the residents, 22% (previously 18%) now report experiencing a fair amount of nuisance, and 12% (previously 7%) report experiencing a lot to a great deal of nuisance. The largest group is still those who report experiencing little to no nuisance. 65% of residents now report this, compared with 75% in 2022.
• Residents give their own homes a score of 7.2 for sustainability.
• Apeldoorn scores highly when it comes to the accessibility of neighbourhoods or villages by car, bicycle or on foot. The average score is around 8.
• As in 2022, the rating for the neighbourhood’s or village’s accessibility by public transport is considerably lower, averaging 6.4 across Apeldoorn as a whole.
• 13% of residents are planning to move house over the next two years.
• When asked how residents rate the development of their neighbourhood, almost half (49%) say their opinion of their neighbourhood is the same as it was two years ago. 10% feel that their neighbourhood has improved, whilst 34% feel that it has deteriorated. (Percentages for 2022: situation remained the same 56%, neighbourhood has improved 12% and neighbourhood has deteriorated 25%).

In 2024, more residents reported experiencing stress (from 55% in 2022 to 65% in 2024). Work is the main cause of stress. At the same time, recent national research shows that (sharp) rises in stress levels are a nationwide phenomenon, and that the increase in Apeldoorn is relatively modest compared with other cities (source: Arcadis Healthy City Index).

View the results of the Buurtbelever 2024

What is the Buurtbelever?

This is a survey designed to ask residents about the quality of life in their neighbourhood and in Apeldoorn as a whole. 

Why this research?

This survey will give us, as a local authority, a better understanding of how residents experience life in the municipality of Apeldoorn. By conducting the survey on a large scale, we can focus not only on the city as a whole but also on individual neighbourhoods. The more residents who take part in the survey, the clearer the picture we will obtain. This will provide valuable insights into areas such as housing, health, safety, transport, sustainability and the social environment, which can then be used to improve the quality of life in Apeldoorn and its neighbourhoods.

In a number of areas, this has already led to the creation of a vitality agenda in consultation with local residents. This sets out plans and action points for improving a neighbourhood or village over the next 10 years.

Further explanation

The findings will be used to evaluate the existing area-based approach and will also serve as a starting point for tackling issues relating to quality of life. In this way, it contributes to area-based working. By repeating the survey periodically – every two years – trends can be identified regarding how residents’ perceptions of their living environment develop over time. The knowledge gained can be used to better inform the development of the vitality agendas and to better adapt the planning of the area to residents’ needs. This will lead to a visible, substantial and sustainable improvement in quality of life within the municipality of Apeldoorn. 

I do not wish to take part in the survey. Where do I indicate this?

You don’t need to do anything. If you do not wish to take part in the survey, simply do not complete the questionnaire.

I can't log in

When entering your personal login code (as stated in the letter), please be aware of the distinction between lower-case and upper-case letters. You must type it in exactly as it appears in order to log in.

If you are still unable to log in, you can request a new login code via the Helder Onderzoek helpdesk. Please send an email to vraag@helderonderzoek.nl  or call 0800 333 3300 (free)

Can I pass the survey on to someone else (a neighbour, acquaintance, family member or anyone else) outside my own household?

No, the questionnaire must be completed by the person to whom the letter is addressed, or by an adult from the same household. However, you may inform another person about this survey, as they are also eligible to take part via the questionlist on this page.

Can the login code or respondent number be used by more than one person?

No, the personal login code (as stated in the letter) may only be used by the person to whom the letter is addressed, or by someone from the same household. The survey is personalised and, to ensure the quality of the research, it must not be passed on to anyone outside the household. However, you may inform another person about this survey, as they are also eligible to take part via the questionlist on this page.

I’d like a written copy, if that’s possible?

Yes, that’s possible. To do so, please contact the Helder Onderzoek helpdesk. Send an email to vraag@helderonderzoek.nl  or call 0800 333 3300 (free)

I’ve only just received the survey (after 13 October) – can I still fill it in?

No, unfortunately that’s not possible. The deadline has passed. The survey is conducted every two years, so you’ll be able to take part again in due course.

What happens to my data? Is it anonymous?

We will treat your responses with care and confidentiality. The answers you provide in a questionnaire will not be linked to your name or address. We use the name and address databases solely for the purpose of sending out invitations and reminders. These databases will be destroyed once the survey period has ended. The results will only be published at neighbourhood level. We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the guidelines of the Dutch Data Protection Authority and the Code of Integrity for Research and Statistics.

Can I view the results of the investigation?

The results will be available to the public on this page and will be shared via various (social) media channels.

What will be done with the results of the study?

The council will use your responses, amongst other things, to draw up plans for your neighbourhood or to assess whether its policies need to be amended. By taking part in this survey, you are helping with this. Once the survey has concluded, the results will be published online. You can find the survey results on this page.

Why have I (not) received a personal invitation?

A selection of residents in Apeldoorn have received a personal invitation based on a random sample. This means that whether or not you have received an invitation is purely down to chance. You had just as much chance as, for example, your neighbour. If you live in a neighbourhood or village with a small population, the chances of you receiving a personal invitation are higher.

Someone else (a neighbour/relative/acquaintance/other) has received a letter, but I haven’t. Can I take part in the survey as well?

Absolutely! Any resident of the municipality of Apeldoorn can take part in the survey. You can take part in the survey via the questionnaire on this page.

If I start the questionnaire and stop halfway through, can I still finish it at a later date?

Yes, you can log in again online using your personal login code (as stated in the letter) to continue where you left off, should you not have answered all the questions yet. However, we advise you to complete the questionnaire in one go, so that it doesn’t end up gathering dust on the shelf.

I’ve sent/completed the survey, but I’d like to make a few changes – is that possible?

No, once you have completed the survey online or sent in your paper questionnaire, you will no longer be able to make any changes.

Do all the questions have to be answered?

We would ask you to complete the questionnaire as fully as possible. In many cases, you have the option to select ‘don’t know/no opinion’ if you do not wish to answer a question in detail. However, we do apply a number of specific guidelines:

• Respondents for whom the date of birth, gender or postcode is missing will be excluded from the results.
• Respondents who completed fewer than 75% of the questionnaire and whose status is not complete are also removed.
• Respondents with the status complete will be included, regardless of the percentage of questions answered.
• Respondents with an incomplete or incorrect postcode will be removed.

When can I expect the results of the test?

The results will be processed and published as soon as possible after the survey closes on 13 October. We expect to be able to share the results with the residents of the municipality of Apeldoorn by the end of 2026. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.

Can I still give my opinion on the survey after I’ve submitted it?

No, you can’t do that once you’ve submitted the survey. At the end of the survey, you may still be able to share your views.

My computer crashed whilst I was filling in the survey – can I still access it?

Yes, you can do this by logging in again using your personal login code (as stated in the letter).

I’ve lost my letter – including my personal login code – but I’d still like to take part in the survey. What should I do?

If you have lost your letter, including your personal login code, you can request a replacement via the Helder Onderzoek helpdesk. Please send an email to vraag@helderonderzoek.nl  or call 0800 333 3300 (free)

I don’t have a computer, and I haven’t received a printed copy – how can I still take part?

You can request a paper form via the Helder Onderzoek helpdesk. Please send an email to vraag@helderonderzoek.nl  or call 0800 333 3300 (free of charge). You can also complete the questionnaire on a smartphone.

I haven’t received a letter, but I’d like to take part in the survey – is that possible?

Yes, that’s possible. The survey is open to all residents of the municipality of Apeldoorn. You can take part in the survey via the questionnaire on this page.

I’m having trouble with the questionnaire in Dutch.

We understand that it is not easy to complete a questionnaire in Dutch if you speak another language. Unfortunately, the questionnaire is only available in Dutch. You are not obliged to take part in the survey. You may ignore the invitation and any reminder you may receive.

What do I get in return?

As well as having the chance to share your views with us and make your voice heard, participants also stand a chance of winning a VVV gift voucher. To show our appreciation, we are giving away 25 VVV gift vouchers worth €30 each. We will contact the winners directly.

How many letters are sent, and why?

We are sending a letter to around 35,000 residents, asking them to take part in the survey. We need a sufficient number of respondents per neighbourhood to be able to draw reliable and representative conclusions. This will enable us to paint as accurate – and statistically sound – a picture as possible of how people experience their neighbourhood and Apeldoorn as a whole; and we’ll do so at neighbourhood level. For those who do not receive a letter, don’t worry! Anyone can take part in the Buurtbelever via the questionnaire on this page. The more residents take part in the survey, the clearer the picture we get.

The residents to whom the letters are sent have been chosen at random, using what is known as an ‘a-selective’ sample. This means that the selection is based on chance. You had just as much chance of being selected as, for example, your neighbour.

What role does Helder Onderzoek play in this questionnaire, and what is its relationship with the municipality of Apeldoorn?

The research agency Helder Onderzoek is conducting the Buurtbelever survey on behalf of Apeldoorn City Council. Helder Onderzoek has a helpdesk for enquiries regarding how to complete the questionnaire, data protection or the processing of the results. Please email vraag@helderonderzoek.nl  or call 0800 333 3300 (free of charge). For specific enquiries about the Buurtbelever survey, you can also email Apeldoorn City Council at buurtbelever@apeldoorn.nl or you can call 14055.

I have a question. Who can I contact?

Questions about completing the questionnaire, privacy or the processing of results
Clear Research
E-mail: vraag@helderonderzoek.nl
Telephone: 0800 333 3300 (free of charge)

Other questions about the Buurtbelever

Municipality of Apeldoorn
E-mail: buurtbelever@apeldoorn.nl
Telephone: 14 055