Youth Panel in Amsterdam

September saw Uplift’s second of three sprints kick-off with a youth panel, working with the architectural firm INBO.  Together they will work on a residential concept for which a real location in Meer en Vaart.  The challenge is to create a new housing concept that meets the needs of vulnerable young people. This is an ongoing project with results expected in February 2022.

The session was held at Houtsmaloods near Lieven de Key.  There was an opportunity for the young people involved to network with and get to know each other, as week as the collaborating partners; TU Delft, the Municipality of Amsterdam and Lieven de Key.

After the settling in and a brief introduction, the young people panel were presented with details about the upcoming housing developments and concept around supporting vulnerable young people.

General director Karin Verdooren and director Wonen Lidy van der Schaft van Lieven de Key were also present at the kick-off.  They said that they were very impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and the ideas the young people shared. I’m looking forward to the next meeting!”, exclaimed Karin.  Lidy was also impressed: “I saw vibrant young people working with Uplift”, they went from ‘I have a dream’ to ‘We have a plan’!

Inspiration

The project team was given an insight into how Lieven de Key applies a housing concept in practice to support their understanding of community building.  They were taken to visit Riekerhaven and Lieven. At Riekerhaven, project coordinator Arnold Hooiveld and Ginny Hooiveld (self-management PR and Communication) gave them a tour of Riekerhaven. Nina, the chairman of the Lieven residents’ association, took the participants on a journey through the challenges and success stories.