Youth-led Urban Transformation for climate-resilient, inclusive, AND Health promoting neighbourhoods
Project YOUTH brings together young people, community organisations, researchers, and the Municipality of Enschede to explore and develop ideas for improving public spaces and community well-being in Twekkelerveld neighbourhood.
The project focuses on how green spaces🌳, blue spaces💧, and social gathering places👥 can help neighbourhoods adapt to climate challenges while creating healthier and more enjoyable places to live. Young people are at the centre of the project, sharing their experiences, identifying local opportunities, and creating ideas for positive change.
🚶♀️ Explore
The first stage focuses on discovery and learning. Young people explore their neighbourhood and learn about climate resilience, well-being, and the role of green and blue spaces in cities. Through activities such as photography 📸, community mapping 🗺️, workshops 💡, and visits to inspiring locations within our UT campus 🏞️, participants investigate how public spaces can support both people and the environment.
🎨 Co-Design
The second stage focuses on creativity and collaboration. Together with researchers, students, youth workers, and local partners, participants develop ideas for improving their neighbourhood. Through discussion, design activities, and creative workshops, they explore what is desirable, achievable, and meaningful for the local community.
🌿 Implement
The final stage focuses on turning ideas into action. The most promising ideas will be further developed and, where possible, implemented with project partners and community stakeholders. This stage aims to create tangible improvements that benefit both the neighbourhood and its residents.
Organisations
Co-design Workshop
Upcoming activity
Creative Session to Collect Ideas
Drawing and Legos
Youth Visiting University of Twente Campus
Youth from Zonecollege as part of their sustainability class visited UT campus.
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Visiting Skatepark in Twekkelerveld
Exploring Places in Twekkelerveld
The YOUTH project welcomed a group of young people from Twekkelerveld to the Zonecollege Huiskamer for a session to introduce our project, faclitate an interactive mapping activity, and distribute photo cameras.
On a large map of Twekkelerveld participants identified places that are meaningful to them and shared stories about their experiences in these locations.
Skatepark emerged as one of the places most frequently discussed by participants. Young people highlighted its importance as a space for recreation and spending time with friends. Therefore, skatepark location is our focus area for further exploration, co-design and implementation activities.
Participants were also introduced to the Photovoice component of the project and received cameras to document places of their daily surroundings that they consider positive.