Why | To develop a common vision + strategies + masterplan for a new ecodistrict
What | Process design + facilitation + communication
Where | Veemarkt, Utrecht, the Netherlands
With | dolte
Who | For city of Utrecht

The Veemarkt was a place where cattle was sold and then the biggest car market in Europe. It is located not far from the centre of Utrecht and is also very close to the countryside. That is why it has been decided to move the Veemarkt and to build a new eco-neighbourhood here.

After having analysed the district and shared relevant documentation and findings with stakeholders, we have co-developed a participation strategy with the city of Utrecht.

The process started with an information market where people could discover the project and sign-in for the following events. The first engagement evening has resulted in the definition of 6 themes. The second one has allowed us to define what the participants meant with the themes, by using images and templates to fill-in. The third one offered participants to draw concepts on maps.

Online, participants could also give their opinion on a poll made of infographics. Over a hundred people took the survey and helped to give a clearer direction on how to develop the plan. An important theme was ‘co-housing’ and a special event was hold to inform and form groups.

The process and findings were reported in “logbooks” and constituted a strong basis for the development of the new district.