Utrecht Science Park takes a step towards greater liveability with the help of Community Builders
To improve the quality of life and social cohesion at Utrecht Science Park, residents and partners are launching the “Springlevend Utrecht Science Park” program, which will recruit Community Builders from among apartment residents. The Community Builders will promote connection, participation, and neighborhood development. They will do this, in part, by establishing and managing a local meeting space. The housing boards at Utrecht Science Park took an important first step in this direction in May of last year, and this is now being followed up.
Utrecht Science Park is a dynamic area with a large population of students and young professionals. At the same time, signals and conversations reveal that residents often feel lonely and that there is a need for more social connection and a sense of community. This initiative addresses this need and aligns with the municipality’s ambitions for livable neighborhoods, participation, and prevention.
The Community Builders will be supported by the “Academie van de Stad” and collaborate with partners such as Utrecht University, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, SSH, and the municipality. They organize activities, encourage interaction, and contribute to the development of a central meeting place at Utrecht Science Park. See the full job description here: https://werkenbij.academievandestad.nl/community-builder-springlevend-science-park/nl.
Through the “Springlevend Utrecht Science Park” project, we aim to strengthen residents’ social networks, create greater engagement in the neighborhood, and thus reduce loneliness and mental health issues among residents. We will also strengthen the connections between stakeholders, making it easier for them to connect with each other.
The project offers opportunities to shape policies related to livability, student housing, and citizen participation. We invite policymakers, civil servants, and administrators to support and monitor this initiative, and integrate it into broader urban programs where possible.
For more information about the project or opportunities for collaboration, please contact Inoek Brouwer (inoek.brouwer@utrechtsciencepark.nl).