From 13 October until the end of November 2009 the Young People’s Biennale YOUR CITY took place in Rotterdam Zuid. Young citizens cooperated with artists and architects to design and develop Rotterdam Zuid to their own taste. YOUR CITY allowed young citizens to show us how they want to use their immediate habitats.
Young citizens acted as project developer of their own haunts where they hang out, play sports or relax. With the support of architects and artists they created their own habitat. This time adults did not decide anything for young people, they were given the opportunity to decide for themselves for once. YOUR CITY was created by young people. The programme consisted of four parts: I Bridge You, Freestyle Sports, Debate and the Open Space Party. Young citizens of Rotterdam worked closely together with architects and artists.
Young residents of Rotterdam Zuid were boss in their own backyard during YOUR CITY and they developed their part of the city in their own way: unexpected, proud and dynamic. YOUR CITY: young people are making Rotterdam Zuid!
YOUR CITY takes youngsters seriously. For example, YOUR CITY investigates the ideas young people have about their habitat. Architects went out on the streets and engaged in conversations with young citizens about their experiences and requirements. The ideas that were generated were used for the Freestyle Sports Stadium and the Rotterdam Street map.
The city is a playground for skaters, freerunners and other street sports. The street sportsmen and women use their city in a unique way. The meaning of freestyle sports was investigated and the results of this study included a new map of Rotterdam Zuid; public space as seen through the eyes of street sportsmen and women. These results were used by 2012Architecten to build a temporary arena with a sports track involving young people in the construction process. What does their ideal public space look like and how can they make the best use of this space? As if by magic, 2012Architecten and young people transformed the Motorstraat area into a stadium with a sports track. It served as a free zone for informal and formal streets sports.
Visual artist Chantal van Heeswijk also engaged in conversations with young people on the Zuidplein bridge for I Bridge You. She used their ideas and input to design the bridge. It was concluded from these conversations that young people want to be boss in their own backyard and have a say in the development of their habitat. Yet at the same time, it is difficult to involve young people in architecture and urban planning. Young people think and act fast but architecture is usually a slow process. It takes at least a year for a square to be restyled or a building to be completed. However, with temporary constructions (also known as temporary ‘interventions’) on squares, bridges and undeveloped land, young people can influence their living environment. With YOUR CITY and the constructions they design, young people will leave their mark on Rotterdam Zuid.
Young people have a need for physical space, places where they can really do what they like. In addition, they have a mental need for a space of their own. Young people often feel unwelcome in places where they want to enjoy themselves in groups: residents and passers-by complain about their presence. With YOUR CITY, young people were given the opportunity to create their own space and they were able to show the general public how they enjoy their leisure time.
Josje Stoel, programme en coordination
Valerie Fonhof, communication
Rob Tak, production
Annie Breeuwsma, communication & advise
Maddy Boekhout, secretariat
Edwin Spijker, financial administration
Suzanne Stam, text
Christy de Back, translation
Studio Spass, design
Stay Gold Studio, website
Advise; Pieter Kuster, Dafne Foet, Marieke Hillen, Anne Ageeth Slegtenhorst, Mildred Pijnenborg, Patrick van der Klooster.
Committee stichting Kijk op Zuid
Jan van der Schans, chairman
Joop van der Leeuw, secretary
Carol Hol, member of the committee
Frans Meijer, member of the committee
Paul Becht, member of the committee
YOUR CITY was a widely programmed event during which young citizens of Rotterdam and professional architects, city planners, developers and artists considered how urban space could – both physically and mentally – be designed differently. In doing so YOUR CITY aimed to counteract the negative image of Rotterdam Zuid. YOUR CITY focused on the power of youngsters in this part of Rotterdam. They created their own urban space based on the environment they live in, thus improving both the image they have of themselves as well as the image of Rotterdam Zuid.
By working together with architects during YOUR CITY young people will gain more insight into architecture and urban planning. Similarly, during YOUR CITY professionals such as architects, urban planners and project developers will develop their insight into the ideas and experiences of young people and their use of urban space.
The programme of YOUR CITY consists of four parts:
