By investing more in the district of BoTu, the Municipality of Rotterdam wants to lift the neighbourhood up to the average Rotterdam level. On one hand, the focus is on gentrification and on the other, on emancipation. The assumption is that if young people have better prospects, there will be significant outcomes for the neighbourhood. This will emancipate the neighbourhood as a whole and reduce the need for gentrification. With an eye on the horizon, young people are those who can and should determine the changes in the neighbourhood.
But very few young people in BoTu fall under the ‘highly educated’ (HAVO / VWO level) category, which can lead to consequences, such as crime, debt, unemployment and poor health. And often children of low-educated parents grow up from a disadvantaged position that they find difficult to escape from.
But what drives the youth from BoTu to be ambitious?