the question

In its 2020–2025 multi-year plan, the City of Vilvoorde made a deliberate choice to invest strongly in the further renewal of its public space, more green areas, and sports and youth infrastructure. After renewing the city centre, it was time to focus on the neighbourhoods.

An ambitious project that the city does not tackle by itself, but together with the real experts: the neighbourhood residents. Such a large-scale participatory approach called for strategic tailoring.

a well-considered participation process: replicable and tailored to each neighbourhood

Through the campaign ‘Vilvoorde is van jou. Maak er iets van’ (‘Vilvoorde is yours. Make something of it’), the city worked with every resident of Vilvoorde to improve the public space, mobility and green areas in its neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood then followed its own participation programme. This resulted in more than 20 improved locations across the city.

our impact

The result of the campaign? More than 20 locations were improved: 8 new meeting places, 13 playgrounds, and several sports and green areas. Furthermore, a wide range of traffic-safe and bicycle-friendly measures were rolled out. We can look back on a highly successful project thanks to:

communication strategy

Development of an overarching communication and participation strategy, including a city-wide campaign ‘Vilvoorde is van jou. Maak er iets van’ and a tailored version for each neighbourhood. Ensuring continuity in regular communication through a continuation label.

participation

Organisation and supervision of participation processes in the neighbourhoods: gathering ideas via an online participation platform and idea markets, collectively shaping ideas during neighbourhood panels, and communicating the final decision through an open-air exhibition and newspaper for the neighbourhood.

stakeholder management

Defining a shared vision for citizens, retailers and the local administration for urban development projects regarding public space and mobility. Active follow-up through neighbourhood scans.

project communication

Operational support for regular communication with residents, including website management of the project page and the citizen participation platform ‘mijn.vilvoorde.be’. As well as through resident letters, mailings and social media.

content creation

Strategically developing a recognisable campaign and creating communication tools such as newsletters, neighbourhood newspapers, posters and announcement boards.

project management

Development of the project flow and retrospective planning. Follow-up through a well-thought-out consultation structure and coordination with the communications department and the project team. Preparation and organisation of public consultation and opening events.