Area agenda Gooteplein and Rik

Things are buzzing around Gooteplein! Schools, sports clubs and other organizations create a lively atmosphere. But there are also bottlenecks: traffic, nuisance and insecurity make it less pleasant for some people. That is why we are working on a plan for the future: the area agenda. This contains what we want to do with the buildings and outdoor space around the square in the coming years.

The area

The Map shows the project area. In the upper right of the area are the buildings of the three elementary schools at Gooteplein: the St. Leonardus School, the Branding and the Anchor. On the lower right is the Intergrale Kindcentrum with childcare in it, among other things, and below it is gymnasium de Reede. In the middle of the area is Sports and Culture House DukdalfBRES and Bravo, the Push Foundation's youth center. On the upper left is the new complex with rental apartments on the Rik and below it the KPN building adjacent to the Riksestraatje. Lower left in the area is the building of the table tennis association, SO De Watertoren and VSO Maarland and the building of the Streekarchief.

Why are we doing this?

We want to make Gooteplein a nice place where everyone feels comfortable. A place where children can go to school safely, where athletes can enjoy their hobbies, and where you can meet.

What is an area agenda?

An area agenda is a plan to make Gooteplein even finer in the future. We come up with ideas for the buildings and make sketches for the outdoor space. In doing so, we use the reactions and information we have already received during previous discussions with sports clubs and organizations in the neighborhood.

The area plan is not a turnkey project that we implement tomorrow. Over the next few years, it will help us make the right choices for outdoor space and buildings. This is how we ensure that the area becomes a place where everyone feels comfortable.

Participating and thinking

There are no more times scheduled for you to participate in providing information for the area agenda. There have been several ways to participate: 

  • Street Talks July 2024 

    On Tuesday, July 9, we conducted street interviews with users of the area around Gooteplein. Among others, we spoke to parents/caregivers of school-age children in Gooteplein and spoke to local residents or passersby.

  • Short survey summer 2024 

    An online survey about the area was open this summer. This survey has now closed. On July 9, we distributed the survey invitation to parents/guardians, passersby, athletes, visitors and residents of Gooteplein. We also placed the invitation to fill out the survey in the mailbox of direct neighbors. The information gathered during the street conversations and through the online survey was then incorporated into sketches of the area.

  • Invited interviews 

    In September, local residents around Gooteplein received an invitation by letter to a residents' evening on Sept. 26 at DukdalfBRES. We also communicated an open invitation to parents/caregivers of the children at the Gooteplein schools, athletes and workers in the area. Professionally interested organizations in the area, such as DukdalfBRES, the elementary school, Push Foundation and sports associations received an invitation to engage in conversation Sept. 26.

    On Sept. 26, we presented the first sketches in DukdalfBRES. We also told how the results of the street talks and the survey were incorporated into the plans. After this presentation, we engaged in conversation with those present.
    In the fall we will look at how to incorporate the information we gathered at this meeting, through the street conversations and online survey into the area agenda. Soon you will be able to read on this webpage all the information we have gathered from the area. 

Results from the environment

The areas of concern mostly mentioned during the interviews and in the survey were about traffic safety, accessibility and parking. But it was also about having attention for nuisance and crime in the area. However, it was clear that the diversity of facilities in the area is highly appreciated. Opportunities were also given to develop them further, for example by creating more sports and play facilities. The concerns and ideas have been incorporated into a plan for the Gooteplein and the Rik, called the Area Agenda Rickse Boomgaert. 

How to move forward?

The area agenda was adopted Jan. 30 by the City Council. In 2025, we will get to work making plans for the area. As soon as those are in place, we'll let you know how you can participate and think about them. The area agenda can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Area agenda Rickse Boomgaert