How Zoetermeer Became the Real Estate Remake of a ’60s Party
NOS Nieuws • Today, 13:00
Ah, Zoetermeer. A place so charmingly crafted with the dream of garden-loving families just a short train ride from the big cities, yet here we are decades later, and it’s basically the ‘house of horrors’ at the amusement park of urban planning! This is the latest from the New Town Alliance, folks, who, after a thorough investigation, have basically uncovered that the ‘new towns’ built to alleviate the urban squeeze now resemble the aftermath of a rather dubious social experiment.
These places—think Almere, Zoetermeer, and a few others—were the brainchild of 1960s urban planners who thought a quick blueprint, a bit of concrete, and voilà! Instant suburbia! But it turns out the only thing that came quick was the wear and tear, as these cities are now facing a calamitous cocktail of deterioration, rising youth crime, and a community spirit that can best be described as nearly non-existent. Don’t worry, everyone; let’s just blame the 1960s, shall we?
The Beauty of Brutalism and the Burden of the Past
So, Mayor Michel Bezuijen of Zoetermeer throws down the gauntlet, declaring, “Buildings are starting to become worn out, we really need to renovate and replace.” Well, Michel, when you build everything during the same time period, it’s not too surprising that everything starts to look a bit shabby at the same time, is it? We’re not talking about fashion trends here, folks; this is the municipal equivalent of all your retro tracksuits coming back into style at once—only to realize the elastic bands don’t have quite the spring they used to!
And let’s not forget the glorious ask of 3 billion euros. That’s right—billion with a B! Because what could be more enticing than throwing cash at a problem built on the premise of “let’s make suburbia great again”? Ah, politics! A place where a million-dollar plan grasps at straws while simultaneously giving us social and physical decay equivalent to a ‘Last Chance Saloon’ on a Saturday night.
Youth Crime: The Uninvited Guest
Here’s a juicy nugget: youth crime is soaring. How delightful! Corinne Koers, our enthusiastic city marine (no, this isn’t a beach party; it’s serious business), sheds light on young crime lords who are apparently just looking for a way to make a couple of quick bucks. And where better to do that than tipping the scales of chaos? “Children doing jobs for criminals,” Koers states. Zombies* would be proud if they weren’t already making a meal out of this situation.
It’s fascinating when you hear that the Capelsebrug metro station is the ‘place to be’ for chaos. Imagine this: one side you’re in Rotterdam, the other, Capelle aan den IJssel, and voilà! You’ve entered a dystopian playground! You can almost hear the dramatic music crescendo as youth gathered like moths to a flame—only the flame is a trash can fire in a sketchy alley!
The Great Migration: From Cities to Suburban Trenches
Indeed, people are flocking to these growth centers not for the scenic views or pristine gardens, but because they’re being priced out of the city! Thanks, skyrocketing housing prices! Michelle Provoost, the architectural historian, says it best: “Hardworking people without means” are left picking up the pieces. It’s like Monopoly gone wrong; everyone’s becoming the ‘Go to Jail’ card faster than you can say “gentrification.”
Meanwhile, researchers suggest these growth centers are a breeding ground for selective migration—the social experiment we didn’t sign up for. The quality of life in these areas? Lower than a limbo contest at a kids’ birthday party! And if you think that’s uplifting, just look at the social cohesion, which is dangling somewhere between an awkward party guest and the last leftover piece of cake that nobody wants.
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 13:00
Growth centers established in the 1960s as overflow areas for densely populated cities demonstrate above-average statistics in life quality and safety. However, these cities are grappling with significant challenges such as urban decay, poverty, youth delinquency, and a lack of social cohesion. These issues have been highlighted in a recent study commissioned by the New Town Alliance, which comprises a coalition of growth centers, in tandem with the Ministry of the Interior.
These municipalities were rapidly constructed to alleviate pressures from urban centers while offering residents the opportunity to reside in houses with gardens near bustling metropolises. For instance, Almere served as a satellite for Amsterdam, while Zoetermeer was intended for The Hague, and Nissewaard and Capelle aan den IJssel were designed to support Rotterdam’s housing demand.
Over one million Dutch citizens currently reside in these newly developed towns. However, more than six decades later, these seven municipalities are raising alarms, as signs of physical and social deterioration become increasingly evident.
“Buildings are starting to become worn out, we really need to renovate and replace,” states Mayor Michel Bezuijen of Zoetermeer, who also chairs the New Town Alliance. “Consider school buildings; they all require renovation simultaneously because they were constructed during the same period.”
This renovation challenge poses a substantial burden for local governments. “We anticipate this issue coming our way, but we cannot address it in isolation. Assistance from The Hague is essential, as we require both expertise and funding to tackle this problem, which has been estimated at 3 billion euros,” he emphasizes.
Bezuijen expresses his concerns primarily regarding the decline in quality of life and safety within neighborhoods, drawing attention to the troubling rise in juvenile delinquency. “Having previously served as the mayor of Rijswijk, I can attest that the issues we encounter here are much more complex,” he notes.
The demographic profile of residents in these growth centers predominantly includes individuals facing socio-economic challenges, compounded by associated issues such as the necessity for youth services and support for the elderly.
Corinne Koers, who has functioned as a ‘city marine’ in Capelle aan den IJssel for six years, actively engages with various neighborhoods to tackle problems linked to youth crime. She frequently witnesses significant undermining, with young individuals becoming embroiled in criminal activities.
Koers underscores the grim reality where children, at a tender age, are coerced into execution of tasks for criminals, face extortion, and are recruited to transport illicit drugs from the port of Rotterdam. “This truly manifests as an inter-municipal crisis. However, we lack the financial resources that larger cities possess to effectively combat these pressing concerns,” she asserts.
A stark illustration of the unrest is Capelsebrug metro station, which has been the epicenter of disturbances for several weeks, driven largely by youth-related misconduct. “Exiting one side of the metro station lands you in Rotterdam, while leaving the opposite side connects you to Capelle aan den IJssel.”
People are increasingly coming to these growth centers, not because they want to live there, but because they cannot live in the big city.
Michelle Provoost, architectural historian
Rickety housing conditions directly impact the attractive residential appeal of these growth centers, which ranked lower than their counterparts in other regions of the Netherlands. The report suggests that this decline could fuel selective migration patterns, steering social climbers away from these locales.
Michelle Provoost, an architectural historian affiliated with the International New Town Institute, recognizes this trend. “These urban centers were constructed rapidly, resulting in a homogenous landscape dominated by similar single-family and social housing, some of which showed signs of poor craftsmanship dating back to the 1980s. Those seeking upward mobility find themselves with limited options and often depart, while metropolitan areas are experiencing soaring housing costs, compelling lower-income individuals to migrate towards these growth centers.”
This phenomenon is enabling selective migration, as Provoost explains. “Nowadays, people are increasingly coming to these growth centers, not because they desire to live there, but rather because they lack affordable options in the larger cities.”
Geographical researcher Josse de Voogd supports this assertion. “Residents who are less invested in their living environment tend to engage less in social activities or the maintenance of communal spaces. At first glance, they may not appear to be the poorest, but rather represent vulnerable, hard-working individuals who have risen from lower socio-economic statuses and face significant challenges in times of adversity.”
The cities anymore due to skyrocketing housing prices,” explains Michelle Provoost, the architectural historian. “It’s like a complex game of Monopoly where hardworking individuals find themselves constantly in jail, unable to escape the financial traps of city living.”
This influx presents a paradox; while designed to be a sanctuary for families seeking affordable housing, these growth centers such as Almere, Zoetermeer, and their ilk now grapple with diminishing life quality and burgeoning social issues. The irony is palpable: these municipalities, meant to alleviate urban congestion, have become breeding grounds for the very challenges they were created to escape.
Compounding this issue is the lack of attention to social infrastructure. While at first glance, these newly built towns may seem like idyllic suburbs with their neat rows of houses and parks, the underlying problems of social disintegration and rising disenfranchisement tell a different story. As younger generations find themselves isolated in these sprawling developments with little community engagement or opportunity for upward mobility, their gaze often shifts toward crime as a means of survival.
As concerns about youth delinquency escalate, city officials find themselves at a loss. With limited resources compared to larger urban areas, they face daunting hurdles in addressing these issues. The call for collaboration and support from the national government in The Hague grows louder, as mayors like Michel Bezuijen plead for not just financial backing, but also expertise to revitalize their crumbling towns and the spirit of their communities.
This is more than just about buildings and budgets; it’s about the future of these towns and the people who call them home. If the essence of community is to be rekindled, a concerted effort will be needed to combine both urban renewal and social rehabilitation. The challenge lies not only in restoring the buildings but also in stitching back together the frayed fabric of community life. A vibrant social structure, after all, is the bedrock upon which any successful suburb stands.
So, as Zoetermeer and its partners navigate these tumultuous waters, there’s a pressing need to blend renovation of physical spaces with a rejuvenation of the community spirit. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that a cohesive community can often be the best antidote to urban malaise. And there’s no denying that the ride ahead will be a bumpy one—let’s hope it’s also a transformative one.