‘If you show genuine attention, people notice’

No, he has not stopped working yet. Ron van Gelder is well past retirement age. But he likes to stay active. Last year I did nothing for a while and immediately got all sorts of ailments. Staying busy is better.

Ron is a street developer. He has spent years revitalizing the West-Kruiskade and Beijerlandselaan. He also made improvement plans for Schiedamseweg and Crooswijkseweg. Now it is Zwart Janstraats turn. 

Deep valley

For the next 6 months, Ron will work as a quartermaster on a plan to strengthen the shopping street in the Oude Noorden. Ron immediately emphasizes that, in his opinion, a lot is already going well on Zwart Janstraat. In fact, the shopping street in Oude Noorden has developed significantly in recent years.

This street is climbing out of a very deep valley on its own strength, he says admiringly. He recalls 10 years ago when about 30 shops were vacant on Zwart Janstraat and Noordmolenstraat. Now there are only 3 or 4 left.

International allure

You might therefore say: Zwart Janstraat does not need an improvement plan at all. The street is flourishing entirely on its own. Ron acknowledges: This is a street that almost has international allure. Together with Zwaanshals and Zaagmolenkade, I see a very strong shopping area here.

But he also sees areas for improvement, such as the traffic situation, which is sometimes chaotic. Also, the cooperation between entrepreneurs is almost non-existent. That is a pity because when you cooperate, you get more done. For example, you can organize joint events or invest in the streets appearance.

Introduction

Ron will often be found on Zwart Janstraat in the coming months. Wherever he works, he always has the same strategy: he immerses himself in the area. I go to the hairdresser there, do my shopping there, have lunch there.

Laughing: It might be easier to impose a plan from a distance, sitting in an attic room writing. But I dont work that way.

In the coming weeks, he will be getting to know Zwart Janstraat a lot. The best ideas arise by greeting, meeting, and talking, he says. If you show genuine attention, people notice. I believe that.

Want to meet Ron? You can reach him at 06 112 370 00 or ronvgelder@hotmail.com. Link opens an external page.

Vital Core Areas

Drawing up an improvement plan for Zwart Janstraat is part of the Vital Core Areas approach. This is a municipal program aimed at strengthening shopping areas. This always happens together with entrepreneurs and property owners.

Rotterdam Neighborhood News

This message is in Rotterdam Neighborhood News, the digital newsletter of the municipality of Rotterdam. Want to stay informed about what is happening in your neighborhood? You can subscribe to the newsletter and view previous editions here. Link opens an external page.

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