Rotterdam uses sports to tackle social problems

The southern part of Rotterdam is ready for a change and sport will make the big difference. At least that’s the hope of city officials as the social problems come to a head in the south of the city. During the last decades wealthier people moved out, more and more problems moved in. Average income is low, unemployment rates are high and the inhabitants feel unsafe.

To tackle the problems Rotterdam will turn the neighbourhood of Feijenoord – home the city’s biggest football club – into the place to be for sports. The last week presented renovation plans of the area shows a huge new football stadium housing up to 80.000 people. This is accompanied by an Olympic sized ice-skating rink and a dozen different sport fields.

Rotterdam has some dark sides

From the old Feijenoord stadium it is just a short walk to one of those boroughs that need a change. Here you find old houses from the thirties that where once home of the dockers and are now home for the poorest of the city. Not that it’s that visible from the street. The pavements are clean and the parks are well maintained. The only thing you notice is the fact that some the houses’ windows are covered by wooden boards.

But the reports and statistic show the real problems. One third of the people living in Feijenoord is under 22. There are many school drop outs. People can’t or won’t find a job. In some districts of the neighbourhood twenty percent of the people are registered as ‘not searching for a job’ and don’t receive social welfare. In parts of Feijenoord almost a quarter of the kids have obesity, most kids are not a member of a sporting club.

The plans for new sporting accommodations will boost the economic and social status of the neighbourhood and it’s surrounding districts. It should attract more businesses. These can be sport companies, but there will also be place for the already existing car garage. Both kind of companies will provide jobs, places for internships and stimulate local economic activity.

Education is one of the other focus points in the plans presented by the local government. All schools at all the levels should be able to use the sporting facilities. In the sporting parks individuals can use some accommodations without being a member of a sport club.

But most important measure is to attract more sporting institutes so young successful professionals are willing to live the area. With this plan the neighbourhood should get a population with a more diverse income.