24-11-2020 // AND AGAIN

• List

• KUMU

• Facebook post

• Stanly, resident of Victoriapark Lightning

• Freek, Holland2Stay

• Monique

*No time to read the whole blog? scroll down to the conclusion for the most striking insights*

LIST

Yesterday we created a list where people can leave their telephone number or email address. We have given this list, among others, to the TAC and ZwartWit; they both indicated they would like to think about who else we could approach in the neighborhood. Even though we don't know if we will approach people this way, it's always worth a try. In addition, we will also give this list to other possible organizations when we have a conversation with them.

 

KUMU

We use the tool KUMU to map the stakeholders. At the moment we have chosen to only include the stakeholders that we have personally spoken to. We have an Excel sheet created (can be seen in the blog of 16-11-2020) of almost all stakeholders in the area, but at the moment we find it more valuable to look at the direct input we receive. In this way, we can sketch a critical picture of the situation, without involving too many external parties and perspectives. In KUMU we will cluster the stakeholders by using different groups and colors. In addition, we will look at how we will map the involvement of the various stakeholders in KUMU.

FACEBOOK POST

In one of our previous conversations with a resident of Victoriapark Lightning, we were advised to post a message in the Facebook group of that building. In this way, we could come into contact with the inhabitants. That is why we sent an invitation to this group, and after we were accepted, we posted a message. In English, of course, as the target group is largely international in this building; a target group that we would like to reach. We soon received a number of responses, from both international and Dutch young people, also a target group that is underrepresented in most dialogues and therefore we would like to speak. We were able to schedule one conversation the same day, the other conversations will take place later this week or next week. Based on another stakeholder, we got to know this group and these people. That was also the aim of how we wanted this part of the process to go: to come into contact with other stakeholders on the basis of the stakeholders we speak to.

STANLY

Stanly was the first one that reacted to the Facebook post. Stanly is from England and lives in Eindhoven for his PhD degree. He has lived here for a number of years already and is not planning to leave soon. We met Stanly in front of the building where he lives, the Victoriapark Lightning. It was an open conversation where we mostly listened to how Stanly experiences the neighborhood.

• After explaining what our project is about, Stanly began to talk about how he experiences the neighborhood and what his needs are concerning livability. In doing so, he thought of both the needs of him and his building, but also the needs of the other side (the Regentekwartier). He would appreciate it when something is organized in the open space, but perhaps something that cannot cause too much inconvenience; he thinks the Regentekwartier will not appreciate that. However,

  he thinks that many younger people and internationals do probably appreciate it.
• We noticed from his way of talking that he was thinking about the overall needs, not just his needs. He also mentioned that, for example, it is difficult for people in a wheelchair to reach the terrace of ZwartWit; those people have to make a complete detour to get to the terrace, which is built higher than the normal road.

• Stanly indicated that he now has to cycle quite far to enjoy a park or have a picnic in nature. How nice would it be if that would also be possible in front of the Vicotoriapark Lighting? It does not have to take much effort to tidy up the "park" so that it is liveable again.

• Stanly does not feel unsafe in this neighborhood and he experiences little nuisance, but he can imagine that women feel less safe, especially in the evenings. Somehow the street lighting is not on at night, so it is very dark in the neighborhood. In addition, there are certain people walking around here drinking alcohol at night that might create a terrifying image (especially for women).

• The Sunseeker pilot has now been installed. Stanly wonders why such lighting can be placed, but the street lighting is not on. It took a while before something was finally done in the park, and then it's these lamps. Stanly wonders why the Sunseekers could be placed, but things like the overflowing garbage, the streetlights that aren't on at night, and the park that is not maintained, are not being addressed.

• Many residents of his building probably have no idea who to go to when they have ideas or complaints about the neighborhood. He wouldn't know right away either. Both information provision and participation in the neighborhood should be made more accessible, especially for internationals.

Stanly was completely open to talking to other interested parties when we will organize a (brainstorming) session/meeting. He is certainly willing to further think about the livability in the public space in the Emmasingelkwadrant in the run-up to the developments. 

HOLLAND2STAY

As mentioned earlier, we came into contact with Freek of Holland2Stay via an employee of ZwartWit. Freek is the regional manager in Eindhoven for Holland2Stay. Holland2Stay is the organization that rents out the accommodations in the Victoriapark Lighting. This used to be mainly short-stay accommodations, but that has changed to long-stay accommodations. We actually planned to meet at Freek's office today, but due to circumstances, the conversation could only take place online. Because Holland2Stay is an organization located at the Victoria Park, Freek is also an interesting stakeholder to talk to.

• After the introduction, Freek immediately stated that he finds the municipality rather "wollig". Some time ago he participated in a meeting with the municipality and other local entrepreneurs. Good ideas came up during this meeting, however, months have passed and still little is happening. From a business perspective he understands that it takes so long, but it is still strange that little is being done about the open space in front of the Victoriapark Lighting and that even the street lighting is switched off at night. Freek himself stated that Holland2stay was perhaps the "weirdest" party that took part in the conversation. Holland2Stay has little interest in the livability in this area; the rent is not decreasing, on the contrary, the rent is going very well. Holland2Stay will ultimately benefit more from the future when the towers are built and the park is there.

• There are different target groups in this area and that makes it difficult. Can you please every individual? Probably not, according to Freek. The park must be interesting for everyone, both day guests and residents, now and in the future. The physical experience must appeal to people. At the moment, the park has a certain appearance. The people of the Huiskamer, or the people that the Huiskamer attracts, hang around in and around the park. The park is not maintained, so it attracts a certain kind of people. This place could become a great place in Eindhoven, it has a lot of potentials.

• Residents probably have no idea what's going to happen in this area. The information provision is sometimes lacking, especially in the Victoriapark Lightning building. Residents probably don't even know how or if they can join conversations related to the neighborhood. In addition, trust towards the municipality is low, both among residents and entrepreneurs. Precisely because little is done with their input.

• Freek also wonders why the Sunseeker can be installed, but other (more important) things in the neighborhood are not given much attention? Does this Sunseeker meet the needs of the stakeholders? People have been waiting for progress for a long time already, the Sunseeker can therefore also raise question marks among the people in this neighborhood. 

• NulZes, the company behind the research on the future park, has "een worst voorgehouden" to stakeholders in the area. This research took place already a while ago, they have stated that the park is coming, but it is still not there. As a municipality, it is better to be concrete: indicate that the park is not going to be built yet. Do not create false expectations and be honest with the stakeholders in the Emmasingelkwadrant. That is why Freek finds the municipality "wollig": they barely tell the whole truth and make promises they cannot keep. Just say how it is and don't create expectations (like NulZes did). Ultimately, it is probably much more appreciated if you are concrete and tell what is happening

• Freek thinks flyers are the best way to reach the residents of the Victoriapark Lightning.

After talking to Freek, a stakeholder who looks at the situation from a different perspective, we can add another stakeholder to the list of people who are willing to think about the near future of the neighborhood.

MONIQUE

This afternoon we had a meeting with Monique. The meeting was mostly about the flyer we want to create and the presentation we are going to give to the ones involved within the municipality. Monique is almost leaving, so it was quite difficult to find a day and time to give the presentation. The presentation was actually planned for next week on Thursday. However, this did not fit into the agenda of some invited. That is why we decided together to plan the presentation this Tuesday morning. Although we have less time to prepare the presentation, we have enough interesting information to share. We immediately started brainstorming about the content of the presentation after the meeting with Monique. Hopefully, we can create a valuable presentation that will actually stimulate them to listen to the needs of the stakeholders in the area. 

We briefly talked with Monique about the flyer we want to create. Several stakeholders in the area have stated that the best way to come into contact with people, is to put a flyer in their letterbox. We think a flyer might indeed be a good idea. We still have to think about the content of the flyer, but we will do that as soon as possible.

CONCLUSION

Most of the time we start our conversation the same: a brief explanation of our background and our project. In general, everyone is a bit skeptical at the beginning of the conversation, but we notice that as the conversation progresses, stakeholders become more enthusiastic and understand the essence of our project. Each stakeholder has its own opinion, perspective, and interests in, on, and about this area. That is why it is so important to speak to different stakeholders; in this way, we can create a critical picture of the situation. By talking to different people, we begin to gain a better understanding of how everything works and we can ultimately respond better to the needs of the different stakeholders. We hear a number of issues recurring more often in the various conversations. We will therefore highlight the frequently occurring statements, perspectives, and needs during the presentation next Tuesday.

Today we spoke to an international resident of Victoriapark Lightning and an employee of Holland2Stay, the company that rents the accommodations at Victoria Lightning. It is so interesting to speak to different stakeholders. Freek from Holland2Stay has no direct interest in improving the livability of the area, although the residents of the Victoria Park Lightning do. Yet Freek is also an important stakeholder; he puts things into perspective and does not have a clear opinion about the situation. We also need those stakeholders during the stakeholder meeting that we want to organize; these stakeholders can respond to the various interests and perspectives without directly forming an opinion about it.

It is getting more and more interesting for us. We will determine our next steps on the basis of the presentation next Tuesday. A flyer will be made to get in touch with even more stakeholders in the area. We still have to determine the content of the flyer, but the flyer will probably be created next week. The conversations that we will have with (new) stakeholders after the presentation, will be structured differently. We will no longer use the mobile interviewing method but will ask more specific questions, created on the basis of the knowledge we have gathered last month.