Today is Tuesday, which means: neighborhood council meeting in Crooswijk. This evening, the elected residents will sit at the table. One by one, people from the neighborhood who are making plans to make Crooswijk safer, prettier, and more enjoyable. Among them is Cobben, the neighborhood council coordinator.

‘I make the agenda and register residents who want to speak. I also ensure that the agreements we make reach the right people in the municipality,’ she says. ‘And sometimes I make a flyer and get cake. I actually do everything to help the neighborhood council, from serious matters to hanging up streamers.’

Coach for the neighborhood council

But it doesnt stop there. Cobben is also a coach for the 2 neighborhood councils. She ensures that the meetings run smoothly and that the neighborhood council members collaborate well. ‘Sometimes the tension during a meeting rises and someone loses their temper. Then I talk to that person for a bit. Usually, the atmosphere is good. We also occasionally go bowling together or do something else fun. That really helps to strengthen as a team. And as a result, people continue to engage with pleasure for their neighborhood.’

‘Beautiful victories’

Thanks to the neighborhood council, beautiful things have already happened in Oude Noorden. For example, it was the councils idea to set up a working group called Clean Enough. Together with residents and colleagues from the municipality, the working group organizes actions, campaigns, and the Clean Festival. All for a cleaner and tidier neighborhood. And much more is happening, also in Crooswijk. ‘In Crooswijk, for example, hard work has been done to have bus 38 run on Sundays as well. That is now likely to succeed. Those are beautiful victories.’

Noise and life-threatening

Sometimes residents express their concerns during a meeting. Just now, Cobben registered someone who will come to speak tonight about traffic nuisance: “Cars drive too fast here. It makes a lot of noise and it is dangerous for cyclists. Life-threatening!”
Cobben: ‘The members of the neighborhood council discuss what to do with such a signal. For example, engage in a conversation with the municipality. Or write an advice to the municipality. Or speak at the municipal council or organize an action in the neighborhood. I help them with that.’

The local democracy

Neighborhood and village councils form the local democracy in Rotterdam. The councils know what is going on in their neighborhood and must be taken seriously. ‘Everything we decide and do as a municipality in the city is seen and felt by residents in the street. New housing, maintenance, changes in policy. Or diversions for cars and trams make streets busier and less safe. Like Zaagmolenstraat in Oude Noorden. They notice it every day. It is important that we pause to consider the impact that decisions have on residents.’

More information 

In Rotterdam, there are 37 neighborhood councils and 2 village councils. On the Neighborhood Councils page, you can read what else they do. Do you have an idea, question, or are you concerned about something happening in your neighborhood? Feel free to contact a neighborhood council. Visit www.wijkraad.rotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page.

Have you been inspired by this story and want to know what job vacancies are available at the municipality of Rotterdam? Visit www.werkenvoorrotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page.