In the early 1970s, work began on the development of De Maten. The De Dreven neighbourhood was the first to be built. It is a genuine family neighbourhood, with courtyards, plenty of green spaces and a wealth of footpaths and cycle paths. The approximately 4,300 residents mainly live in (spacious) detached houses. The neighbourhood is home to many families with growing children.
General information about the neighbourhood shows that De Dreven is an excellent place to live. Whether in terms of amenities, demographic composition, living environment, or the health and wellbeing of its residents, there are no notable shortcomings compared with the rest of Apeldoorn.
If you ask the residents themselves about their experience of the neighbourhood, a few things stand out. For example, they are slightly more positive about Apeldoorn as a whole than about their own neighbourhood. They also feel slightly more connected to the town they live in than to their neighbourhood.
Interaction with neighbours is slightly below average in Apeldoorn. The same applies to residents’ contributions to the neighbourhood. Residents therefore indicate that social cohesion is an area worth investing in.
Discussions with residents and organisations have also highlighted other areas of concern. Such as safety. Some residents feel unsafe (particularly in the evenings) around quiet spots and places where people gather. Furthermore, people sometimes experience nuisance from traffic, litter and dog fouling.
Finally: De Dreven is already around fifty years old. The outdoor space therefore deserves an update to ensure the neighbourhood remains a pleasant place to live. It is also important to make the neighbourhood more sustainable. How can homes be disconnected from the gas grid in an affordable way? And how can we ensure the neighbourhood is prepared for climate change? We’re including all of this in the Vitality Agenda.
Over the coming years, we will be focusing on five key areas. Firstly, the social environment: we are working to reduce nuisance, improve safety and encourage more social interaction. Housing is also high on the agenda. Can we build more homes for older people? And can we help residents make their homes more sustainable? We are also investing in green mobility, such as charging points. And we are carrying out a thorough refurbishment of public spaces.
| Objective | Action / Point for attention | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Less nuisance caused by young people | We are developing a joint approach to tackle youth-related nuisance in De Dreven and at the De Maat shopping centre. | Local council, police, Stimenz, Don Bosco |
| Providing information on sustainability | Our energy coordinator and energy coaches help residents understand the various ways and grants available to make their homes more sustainable. | Municipality |
| Diverting rainwater | We encourage people to make their gardens greener and to divert rainwater (for example, by using a rainwater butt). | Local authority (Operation Steenbreek) |
| Promoting a sense of ownership | We involve residents in helping to shape and contribute to a pleasant public space. | Municipality |
| Objective | Action / Point for attention | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting place/ Living room |
We are looking into the possibilities for a meeting place and/or community centre in De Dreven. | Local authority & The Good Home |
| More electric and shared transport |
We encourage the use of electric vehicles, car-sharing schemes and local transport, including by installing charging points. | Local authority, district/neighbourhood council & housing associations |
| Development of thermal imaging | In consultation with the residents, we are drawing up a heating strategy for the entire De Maten neighbourhood: what will it take to disconnect this neighbourhood from the gas grid? | Local authority, residents, district/neighbourhood council, network operator, housing associations & water board |
| Objective | Action / Point for attention | Who |
|---|---|---|
| More lifetime-proof homes | We are looking at ways of creating more space for lifetime-adapted (senior) housing. | Local authority & housing associations |
| More electric and shared transport |
We encourage the use of electric vehicles, car-sharing schemes and local transport, including by installing charging points. | Local authority, district/neighbourhood council & housing associations |
| Refurbishment of the neighbourhood |
We are drawing up a plan to revitalise the neighbourhood, focusing on areas such as traffic, play and the climate. | Local authority, Stimenz & district/neighbourhood council |
Would you like more information about the vitality agenda?
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