And even though Meppelink has only just moved there, she says it is a lot of fun with the other residents in the flexible neighborhood. “It’s a good place to be. Everyone greets each other, helps each other when necessary, we have a group app, and there will be game nights. Everyone looks out for each other, in a positive way.”
Before the flex district came into existence, there were protests. Particularly from residents and entrepreneurs of the nearby business park, who always thought that companies would be located on the Groene Dijk, which was also the plan. They did not like flexible housing, and the arrival of status holders in particular aroused resistance, for fear of insecurity.
Meppelink doesn’t want to know anything about that insecurity. “It’s as safe as anything here. I feel completely at ease here, even in the evening when you walk to your house, everyone still greets you here.”
Actium project leader Hunneman also praises the social cohesion in the flex district. “The people who live here get along well with each other. As a social project with a nice mix of residents, the flex district has certainly been successful.”
As icing on the cake, there will be a community living room in the neighborhood. The building is already there, but has not yet been furnished. “A nice sofa, curtains, plants and a table, it will be a lot of fun here,” says neighborhood consultant Gertjan Oppersma. He is the oil man in the neighborhood who ensures that everything runs smoothly on the Groene Dijk and that residents feel at home.
“I will soon have my office here, walk through the neighborhood, pick up signals. If anything, they can come to me, or I will look for them if people are not feeling well. If there are complaints, I will be the point of contact.” Furthermore, the community living room will soon become ‘the beating heart’ of the neighborhood. “This is the place for meetings, cooking together, playing games, or whatever.”
