Project
Samen werken aan sterke wijken
Municipalities are responsible for various domains, such as housing, spatial planning, social welfare and health. These domains differ with regard to legal responsibilities, budgets, language, perspectives, and community involvement. Cross-domain collaboration is necessary, especially in vulnerable neighbourhoods where various challenges from different domains converge, like for example in the living environment.
In three municipalities in the Dutch province of Overijssel, Losser, Wierden, and Zwolle, efforts are being made to create a healthy living environment in vulnerable neighbourhoods. These areas face physical challenges, such as outdated housing, and social challenges, such as financial difficulties. The municipalities are exploring ways of cross-domain working in the neighbourhood with residents and professionals. The three municipalities will work on themes such as creating an attractive green environment, protecting against the effects of climate change, making social facilities accessible, and promoting health and social cohesion.
In this project, we aim to develop practical expertise on the effective elements and experienced benefits of cross-domain collaboration and resident participation for healthy living environments in vulnerable neighbourhoods. We use participatory action research to work with all stakeholders through co-production and to reflect and learn together. We also work from a systems perspective to include different factors at different levels that influence the living environment. In this way, we gain insight into what works, for whom, why and in what context (realist evaluation).