Conversation: Housing: Citizens' initiative and participation in collaboration with government and market

With around twenty-five examples, the exhibition shows how residents themselves shape their city and living environment. Always together, with collective strength, in diverse communities. The Netherlands has a multitude of citizens' initiatives that, alone or in cooperation with the government and the market, control the city.

The exhibition shows: it is possible, and that is hopeful. But citizens' initiatives are also vulnerable and often still move on the margins of institutions. How do they get stronger? What can they learn from each other? And how do we all contribute to a just city that is shaped by residents themselves? These questions will be the focus of five interviews in October 2025.

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‍Living: Citizens' initiative and participation in collaboration with government and market

The first evening is about living: how can residents shape their living environment together with the government and the market? Kickoff by Arie Lengkeek (author of Operation Housing Cooperative, concept developer and program maker at ERA Contour). Using projects such as Binnenhaven Almere, Startblok Elzenhagen, Kleiklooster, Nieuwe Meent and Kraaijpan Oase, we explore new forms of housing that focus on collectivity and cooperation.

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