Welgelegen is an older district situated on the outskirts of Apeldoorn’s city centre. The neighbourhood is home to around 6,200 people. In recent years, there has been a great deal of building activity around the canal. As a result, Welgelegen has a very varied character. Some people have lived there for a very long time, whilst others have only been there for a short while.
Research shows that most residents find Welgelegen to be a quiet, pleasant and friendly neighbourhood. Shops and other amenities are nearby. And public transport is within easy reach.
Nevertheless, people are also concerned. There is unease about the arrival of the homeless shelter. There are also questions about the accommodation of Ukrainians. Residents would like clear information on this, so that they can remain involved.
Road safety is another area of concern. Dangerous situations sometimes arise in various places.
Compared with the rest of Apeldoorn, the population of Welgelegen is slightly older. Some of them sometimes feel lonely. Staying connected is therefore a key priority in the neighbourhood. There is a need for activities and a place where people can meet. The neighbourhood council plays a major role in this. This council actively helps to foster greater social cohesion.
Meanwhile, Welgelegen is undergoing significant development. There will be a great deal of construction in the Canal Zone over the coming years. This presents some excellent opportunities – for example, to create spaces for people to meet and to improve traffic flow.
Together with the neighbourhood council, residents and other stakeholders, we will be tackling these and other issues. ‘Active contributors’ play an important role in this. These are residents who want to actively contribute their ideas and get involved. We have drawn up a plan of action setting out the measures we will be taking over the coming years to keep the neighbourhood in good shape.
The following areas will receive particular attention. First and foremost, we are working to ensure clear communication. Residents want to know what is happening in their neighbourhood. They also want to know where they can go with questions and ideas. In addition, we will be focusing on social cohesion, so that people continue to meet one another. We are improving public spaces where necessary: roads, footpaths and green spaces. And we are looking at mobility: road safety and, for example, car-sharing schemes.
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Objective |
Action/Point for attention |
Who |
|
Clarity regarding temporary care at Omnizorg |
There is a management group comprising local residents, the police, special investigating officers and Omnizorg. Within this group, we keep in touch regarding the reception centre. We discuss reports from the neighbourhood and decide on the appropriate course of action. |
Omnizorg, the police, special investigating officers, the local council, residents & the neighbourhood council |
|
Clarity on the reception of Ukrainians |
We’ll make sure the local community receives clear information about the childcare centre. For example: what are the plans, and when will decisions be made? |
Project Manager for the Reception of Displaced Persons from Ukraine |
|
Greater visibility for the neighbourhood police officer |
We are organising an evening event on burglary prevention. At the event, we will explain what people can expect from the neighbourhood police officer. We will also be sharing this information via the local newsletter. |
Police, special investigating officers, neighbourhood council |
|
Clarity regarding the forwarding of reports |
It is not always clear to residents how they can report an issue concerning public spaces – for example, a pothole in the road. We explain this in the neighbourhood newsletter. |
Local authority, neighbourhood council |
|
Clarity on making rental properties more sustainable |
Between now and 2028, the Woonmensen housing cooperative will be making some of its rental properties more sustainable. Residents will be informed of this by spring 2025 at the latest. |
People who live there |
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Staying connected in the local area |
We ensure that the neighbourhood council’s initiatives can continue. And we make room for new initiatives. We look into what activities residents would like to see in the neighbourhood. Together, we look for suitable venues for them. |
Neighbourhood council, residents, local authority |
|
Bringing more life to the area around the Canal |
We’re asking people to share their thoughts on activities and ways to bring the Canal to life. If necessary, we’ll help to facilitate discussions about these ideas. And we’ll help to put ideas into practice wherever possible. |
Local council, neighbourhood council, community members |
|
A green and attractive neighbourhood |
We are replacing the dead trees in Halstraat. As part of the redevelopment of Kwartcirkelplein, we are planting more greenery. And we are passing on residents‘ ’green tips’ to the council’s Management and Maintenance department. |
Local authority, neighbourhood council |
|
Safer traffic in the neighbourhood |
Over the coming years, construction work will be taking place in the Canal Zone and the Railway Zone. We are looking straight away at how we can tackle traffic bottlenecks, such as dangerous junctions. |
Local authority, programme manager Canal and Railway Zone |
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Safer roads around the schools |
We ask families to walk or cycle to school. Dropping off and picking up children by car regularly leads to dangerous situations. We are also looking at how we can effectively address people’s driving behaviour. |
Boa, school board |
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A clearer view of dangerous junctions |
Some junctions on Wapenrustlaan and Aalbessenlaan are dangerous because visibility is poor. We are looking into how we can make these spots safer. |
Municipality |
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More shared mobility |
We’d like to find out what residents think about shared mobility – for example, car-sharing. We’ll be discussing this together at an information evening. |
Local authority, neighbourhood council |
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Objective |
Action/Point for attention |
Who |
|
Support for tenants |
Some of Woonmensen’s rental properties will not be made more sustainable until 2028. We are helping the residents of these properties to take temporary measures now. This will reduce energy costs and improve their quality of life. |
deA Energy Cooperative |
|
Lovely playing fields |
Some great ideas have been put forward for a number of play areas. We’ll be implementing these in 2025. We’re also looking into what young and old alike would like to see in the other play areas. |
Neighbourhood council, local authority, stakeholders |
|
Social meeting room |
Residents would like to have a good community space in the neighbourhood. We are looking into whether such a space could be included in the new development in the Kanaalzone. |
Local authority, programme manager Canal and Railway Zone |
Would you like more information about the vitality agenda?
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