De Gaarden is situated in the heart of the De Maten neighbourhood. The area has many quiet courtyards and plenty of green space: Matenpark is nearby. Shops, schools and the health centre are also just round the corner. Around 3,000 people live here, including a significant number of single people and older residents.
Many residents are very happy living in De Gaarden. However, there are significant differences. People who own their own homes are often doing very well. Among those who rent, the situation is sometimes different. Some of these homes are occupied by people who could do with a bit of help.
People view road safety in De Gaarden as a cause for concern. In the shopping centre, scooters and fatbikes are causing dangerous situations. And in certain places along Gildenlaan, people find the road layout unclear and unsafe. People miss the discontinued bus route to the hospital. Many older people used this service because they had no other means of transport. There is still no suitable alternative.
Some residents experience nuisance. For example, from litter, noise from neighbours or loitering youths. In some parts of the neighbourhood, people do not feel safe. For example, in the Matenpark in the evenings.
Many homes are already over forty years old. They are nowhere near as well insulated as today’s homes. In some rented properties in particular, people are troubled by draughts and mould. The outdoor areas are also showing their age in certain places. A bit of a spruce-up can make a world of difference.
So there are quite a few issues to address in this neighbourhood. Particularly in the areas around the Warenargaarde, De Eglantier and the Violierenplein. Fortunately, there are all sorts of social organisations active here. Housing associations are also keen to roll up their sleeves. And, of course, the residents themselves. Together, we have drawn up this agenda setting out the issues we intend to tackle.
|
Objective |
Action/Point for attention |
Who |
|---|---|---|
|
Working together health and wellbeing |
Health and social care organisations are set to work together more effectively, so that they can provide residents with the best possible support. |
Welfare organisation, Samen055 |
|
More contact between (young and older) residents |
We want to bring residents closer together. We’re also looking at how residents can support one another more. To this end, Don Bosco and other organisations are holding joint discussions. For example, to come up with activities where young and old can meet. |
Don Bosco, Matenhof and Heemhof, Odd Fellows, welfare organisation, The Three Vines |
|
Public transport to the hospital |
The bus service to the hospital has been discontinued. We are looking into whether an alternative means of transport can be arranged. |
Municipality |
|
Less waste on the street |
On Neighbours’ Day, we organise bulky waste collection drives to prevent litter. People can hand in their waste on these days. Volunteers help to keep Violierenplein clean. They will be doing the same in the Warenargaarde. |
Welfare organisation, Circulus, volunteers, housing association The Woonmensen |
|
Better relations with neighbours, fewer neighbourhood nuisances |
In some parts of the neighbourhood, there is little contact between neighbours, for example in the Warenargaarde. In fact, residents sometimes find each other a nuisance. Occasionally, there are disputes between neighbours. We’re looking at ways to address this – for example, through theatre performances and other activities. In this way, we’re trying to ensure that neighbours get on better with one another. And also, that they’re more willing to get involved in the neighbourhood. |
Welfare organisation, neighbourhood team, police |
|
Reduced sensation of insecurity and nuisance |
Some residents say they are experiencing nuisance caused by young people. Sometimes people feel unsafe. We are investigating exactly what is going on. And we are looking into what can be done about it. |
Police, surveillance, Don Bosco, Matenhof |
|
Less moisture and draughts in rented properties |
In some of the rental properties, residents are experiencing problems with mould and/or draughts. Not everyone reports this. We are looking into how we can encourage residents to report this problem. And we are investigating what can be done to tackle mould and draughts. |
Neighbourhood team, housing association |
|
Understanding energy costs |
Residents do not always have a clear picture of their energy costs. An app could help them monitor their energy consumption. We are working with the housing associations to see if such an app can be developed. Residents also have questions about the block heating system. We are providing answers to those questions. |
Housing associations |
|
Objective |
Action/Point for attention |
Who |
|---|---|---|
|
A place of their own for young people |
With Don Bosco’s help, we want to create a suitable outdoor space for young people. A place where they can meet up. And where they can do things together. |
Don Bosco, municipality, Apeldoorn Sports Service |
|
Good support for residents with health problems |
How can we better support people with health problems? We’re working on this with various organisations. For example: is there anything we can do to make it easier for these people to get out and about? |
Local council, Samen055, residents, Disabled People’s Platform Foundation |
|
Road safety and secure cycle parking At De Eglantier |
In De Eglantier, e-bikes, fatbikes and scooters are causing dangerous situations. We’re going to tackle this. We’re also looking into safety for visitors with reduced mobility. And we’re investigating whether a bicycle park could be installed, or perhaps a bicycle rack with CCTV. That helps to prevent theft. |
Police, local council, KVO |
|
Road safety and safe parking on Warenargaarde |
Cars aren’t always parked properly in the Warenargaarde. We’ll make it clearer where you’re allowed to park. And we’ll look into ways of reducing the nuisance caused by speeding drivers. |
Municipality |
|
The refurbished Gildenlaan and car park medical centre |
Gildenlaan is to be resurfaced. The crossings for cyclists and pedestrians will be made safer, as will the junctions. In addition, the car park at the medical centre is to be refurbished. We will also look straight away at how to make loading and unloading at the shops safer. |
Municipality |
|
A greater sense of safety thanks to improved lighting at the Matenhof |
For residents, some areas feel dark and unsafe. We’re looking into which areas these are. And we’re investigating whether the lighting could be improved. Take, for example, the hangout spot on Matenhof. |
Matenhof, municipality |
|
Natural gas-free neighbourhoods |
We are engaging in dialogue with residents about making De Gaarden natural gas-free. Together, we will find a suitable solution. By the summer of 2025, it will be clear what will happen in each neighbourhood. |
Local authorities, housing associations |
|
Safe shopping centre |
There are vacant premises in the shopping centre. We are looking into what can be done about this through the Safe Business Scheme (KVO). |
KVO, Van Herk Group |
|
A pleasant outdoor space in the Warenargaarde |
The outdoor areas in Warenargaarde are in need of improvement. We’re going to get to work on this together with the housing association and residents. Flowerbeds, playgrounds and poorly maintained gardens will be tackled as far as possible. We’ll also be looking at what other maintenance is required. |
Local authority, housing association |
|
Refreshed Size Chart |
Residents have put forward their suggestions for Matenpark. We will take these on board as far as possible. Additional benches and litter bins, playground equipment and improved lighting will be installed in various locations. |
Local authority, residents |
|
Objective |
Action/Point for attention |
Who |
|---|---|---|
|
Better cooperation between the police and housing associations |
It is important to identify and prevent nuisance in good time; a faster exchange of information between the police and housing associations helps in this regard. We are looking into whether we can reach agreements on sharing information. |
Police, Ons Huis housing association |
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