News
Big party at Gouwplein
04-09-2011
Aldermen Alexandra van Huffelen, together with members of the local government and neighborhood children, has opened the renewed Gouwplein in the district Oud Charlois. A big crowd attended the festive opening of the improved square.
After one and a half years as the coordinating party in the workgroup Gouwplein, Fieldacademy is pleased with the delivery of the first stage, a playground for young children.
This was celebrated with a fantastic opening ceremony, a feast and a farmers market, organized entirely by residents. The ceremony started with the removal of the criticized "gathering prohibited” sign by Jannie Hommes and Theo Coskun. Instead, a sign was placed that expresses the name of the renewed square. After these ceremonial events, the symbolic placed gates to the playground were opened together with several kids from the neighborhood. Also, a maintenance agreement between LOPP, a shelter for psychiatric patients and the local government was signed. The agreement must also ensure that the square stays nice and clean.
Three years back, Jurrian Arnold, a student at TU-Delft developed a plan for enhancing the Gouwplein. He did that as part of an educational module which was provided by TU-Delft and Fieldacademy. A group of people who are members of the District Arena (Wijkarena), then asked Jurrian to assist them in the development of the square. During the opening, Jurrian was named as honorary guest of the festival. As project coordinator Gouwplein, he was putted on a original “Gouwplein” working jacket. Also several members of the local government and Aldermen Alexandra van Huffelen received the working jacket.
The turnout was overwhelming, children and adults took possession of the new location and so the vitality of the Gouwplein got a great new start. This did not go unnoticed by members of the local government. They were very enthusiastic and joint the festive crowd.
Fielacademy notes that the work method that was chosen in this experiment is paying off. When outdoor areas are redeveloped and maintained, process transition is possible. Developments such as these, characterized by co-creation of students, residents and government provide a higher chance of a lasting result and a better neighborhood. The project is not finished yet. There will be two more phases where maintenance and meeting quality will be central themes.
