Maria (40) tells what an average day in The district of the future looks like.

“It’s raining today and cold. Brrr. Fortunately, the neighborhood bus takes the children to school. I don’t have to worry about that. I’ll walk the dog myself. I grab a cup of coffee and check the neighborhood app. My day begins. An ordinary day.

A neighborhood in which to live and work

Ordinary days, do they exist at all? In our neighborhood, there is always something going on. It is vibrant, almost busy. I like that. I am working at home in my home office this morning, but I still keep in touch with others. We have set up a co-working space with some home workers. This way we are in touch and save a lot of daily travel time. The neighborhood is lively all day long. It is a live and work environment, not a dormitory neighborhood.

Using talents

On busy days, we help each other. For instance, my neighbor Chafia is cooking this afternoon. Convenient, as it gives me more time for my work appointments, and when I see her we discuss next Thursday’s neighborhood meeting. We then want to talk to the other local residents about the maintenance of the communal gardens. My neighbor has studied at Wageningen University and knows a lot about biodiversity. He gives a presentation on Thursday and will share his thoughts on planting the garden. This is how everyone in our neighborhood puts their talents to use. The fire department will also give an education on water management and emergency plan of the neighborhood. We are still looking for residents who want to support neighbors in becoming digitally literate, together with the library. After all, it’s great when everyone can contribute and participate!

Neighborhood for all

Of course, here as in the rest of the Netherlands, there are social challenges. I am thinking of health differences between people and differences in opportunities between rich and poor. What I love is that it is a neighborhood for everyone. Regardless of age, gender, origin or orientation. We know each other and we support each other. There are sometimes difficult things too. A few months ago, elderly people felt less safe in the park due to groups of youths forming near the petanque court. As neighborhood residents, we addressed this matter and agreed that the petanque could also serve as a beach volleyball court, with rules that everyone could agree to. Some young people have even discovered the charm of playing petanque!

Never alone

Maybe I should again ask my mother if she wants to move to our neighborhood too. Here she can live independently just fine in a small home without having to feel alone. And I’m sure she will also love Chafia’s Moroccan dishes when she joins us at the neighborhood dining table.

Soon Thomas and the children will come home and it will be just another ordinary day in The neighborhood of the future.”