Roland van Eijk recently became a neighborhood networker. You can meet him on the street, in community centers, and various other places in Tarwewijk. ‘I want to know what’s going on. If you can make a difference anywhere, it’s in the neighborhood,’ he says.
Van Eijk is a new face in Tarwewijk but knows South Rotterdam like the back of his hand. ‘I have worked as a neighborhood networker in various places, such as Oud-Charlois and Wielewaal. I immediately knew: this job suits me. I love the city and especially South. The people are so honest and have their hearts in the right place. The direct contact with residents is great.’
The neighborhood networker is a point of contact and advises on neighborhood plans. ‘If someone wants to organize something on the street or has an idea to make the neighborhood nicer: get in touch. I think along or connect you to the right party.’
Getting busier
Involving residents in the neighborhood is difficult in this part of the city, he knows. ‘People are busy surviving, not with neighbors or the neighborhood. Or they don’t speak the language and live here temporarily for work. If there is no connection with the environment, you also see it in the public space. There are garbage bags next to containers and litter everywhere. It’s good that there are initiatives like De Horizon, a living room for Bulgarians and Poles that just opened. There is a baby-mom group, language lessons are given, and people meet each other. It’s getting busier.’
He enthusiastically talks about other small steps that mean a lot. ‘Take the facade garden that the owners of a hair salon and a Polish shop created together at Katendrechtse Lagedijk. When they were working on it, neighbors came to watch and brought food. Beautiful, right? There are many involved people and organizations that are very committed. Like the Cultuurwerkplaats Tarwewijk and House of Hope. Or the project Slow Influencer in the Harmonie. It’s a great success. Twice a week there are workshops and speakers. You can just walk in.’
Trust
Van Eijk wants to connect with existing networks and strengthen them. ‘Building such a community, as I call it, takes time. You first have to earn the trust of the people. That’s why my call: do you have questions, reports, or concerns? Call me or talk to me briefly. Let me know what’s going on. I also pass that on to policymakers. If you can make a difference anywhere, it’s in the neighborhood.’
Roland van Eijk can be reached by email at rma.vaneijk@rotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page or by phone at 06 421 117 37.
Report issues with public space? Report it via the app MeldR. Link opens an external page on your phone or call 14 010.
Rotterdam Neighborhood News
This message is in Rotterdam Neighborhood News, the digital newsletter of the Municipality of Rotterdam. Want to stay informed about what’s happening in your neighborhood? You can sign up for the newsletter and view previous editions here. Link opens an external page.
Do you have tips or suggestions? Email the editorial team. Link opens an external page.