resurgent citIES: ROTTERDAM
The relentless urban development in Rotterdam is drastically reshaping the lives of its residents. As the city swells with new inhabitants, the communities in the less affluent southern sectors, especially Rotterdam South, face a formidable threat. Escalating property prices and the relentless tide of gentrification are driving the existing population toward the edge of displacement.
In response, the Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative has joined forces with Urban Front to counteract these exploitative dynamics. The objective is to halt the creep of gentrification by fortifying social infrastructures and fostering sustainable local production, knowledge exchange, cultural development, and cooperative economic models. These initiatives are deeply rooted in the principles of collective responsibility and engaged community participation.
This resistance is anchored by the Coöperatief Consultancy Buro, a citizen-led initiative born from the Cooperative, aiming to gather and disseminate crucial knowledge for strengthening existing communities in the neighbourhood. The Consultancy Buro collaborates closely with Urban Front to craft strategies that combat gentrification, encourage the rise of new local economies, and advocate for policies at both local and national levels that promote development that prioritizes the well-being of residents and respects the integrity of the urban ecology.
Building upon this foundation, another crucial goal is the collaborative creation of a Collective Citizens Agreement. This document aims to establish new regulations and guidelines to shield residents and small business owners from predatory speculative development, ensuring the urban landscape of Rotterdam evolves in a manner that is just and equitable for all its inhabitants.