On Thursday, October 16, Commissioner of the King Arjen Gerritsen made an official visit to the municipality of Almere. The visit focused on the cooperation between government, organization, and residents.
Engaging in Conversation
The day began with the lecture Confusion as Tactic: The Impact of Disinformation by Marije Arentze, part of the Strategy Week of the municipality of Almere. In her lecture, Arentze demonstrated how disinformation affects our society and how governments can defend against it.
Following this, the commissioner engaged in discussions with Mayor Hein van der Loo and met with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Current themes were discussed, such as democracy, (political) undermining, the upcoming elections, and the cooperation between municipality, region, and province.
Innovation in Almere
In the Bivak, one of the first houses in Almere, the commissioner received an explanation from Saskia Boekenstal and Anneke Schepers about how residents are actively involved in the renewal of Almere Haven. During a walk through the neighborhood, residents and staff shared their experiences and ideas regarding the implementation of the Havenvisie 2040 and the development direction Haven Leeft, which was approved by the Almere city council earlier this year.
Havenhart 2.0 focuses on enhancing the livability and future viability of Almere Haven. The plans include the construction of 2,500 new homes, better accessibility for walkers, cyclists, and public transport, and more space for socializing, recreation, and shopping. Efforts are also being made to close the Gooimeerdijk to car traffic and to create a canal as a new connection through the neighborhood. Measures that contribute to a greener, more attractive, and vibrant Haven area.
The visit concluded with a meeting with the Almere city council. In an open atmosphere, they reflected on the day and looked ahead to the joint challenges that Almere and Flevoland face.
Reason for the Visit
The Commissioner of the King regularly makes official visits to the six municipalities in the province as part of his national duties. Through these visits, he stays informed about what is happening in the municipalities. Additionally, the visits provide an opportunity to discuss governance issues and capture signals from society.