Renovation of the Rozenstraat neighborhood in Beneden-Leeuwen

In an engaged neighborhood, people live together. That is why the municipality of West Maas en Waal, healthcare group Maas & Waal, and housing corporation De Kernen signed an agreement on Wednesday, October 16. Together with the residents, they want to inject new energy into the neighborhood around Rozenstraat in Beneden-Leeuwen, so that a diverse group of people can continue to live comfortably here in the future.

Before signing the agreement, representatives from the three organizations took a walk through the Rozenstraat neighborhood. They spoke with residents about their neighborhood, their hopes for its future, and how they can and want to play a role in it. The neighborhood improvements will focus on the redevelopment of the De Hey Acker building, green spaces, community amenities, social interaction, and more. Over the coming months, the stakeholders will work out the initial plans.

We do it together, or we don't do it at all

With this motto, the three organizations and residents will get to work. Alderman Marieke van den Boom of the municipality of West Maas en Waal states: “We know that many people in our municipality take good care of each other and help each other when needed. And with a changing society, this will become increasingly important in the future. We want to preserve and support this positive aspect by collaborating with partners such as De Kernen and healthcare group Maas & Waal. Together, we are not building houses, but neighborhoods.”

Marinus Kempe, a board member at Woonstichting De Kernen, agrees that this is important. “We build homes for the long term. Thinking today about what will be needed in the future is a major challenge. That’s why we’re eager to tackle it together with our partners and residents. In this way, we’re working to create pleasant neighborhoods with plenty of green space and a welcoming environment.”

“A diverse mix of people is essential for a neighborhood to thrive,” says Saskia Ermers, a director at the Maas & Waal care group. “Looking out for one another, helping each other when possible. That way, even as you get older, there are opportunities to continue living here comfortably. And our support and care are close by. You may not need them yet, but it’s nice to know we’re right here in the neighborhood.”