On November 20, a highly engaging meeting was held by Collectief Natuurinclusief at De Faam in Breda, with Coen de Nijs and Judith Römer as invited participants.
During the session, we explored how we can transform neighborhoods into green, healthy living environments.
Under the guidance of Collectief Natuurinclusief, representatives from GGZ, RIVM, and various municipalities shared valuable insights.
Key Topics:
- Reducing Health Inequalities: Focusing on neighborhoods where health and nature currently lack sufficient priority.
- Green Prevention: Integrating nature to reduce stress, encourage physical activity, and foster community connections, ultimately reducing healthcare costs over time.
- Innovation and Synergy: Collaborating with healthcare institutions, governments, and residents to bring nature-inclusive ideas into practice.
Coen de Nijs gave a presentation on the Linie-Zuid project in Breda, where he explained the initiative and its connection to UPSURGE. All the above points are relevant to this project and align with UPSURGE’s objectives. Following the presentation, the group toured the Linie-Zuid neighborhood.
During the walk, we observed the contractor (Van den Elshout en de Bont) actively transforming the area. Residents Maria and Marianne also played an inspiring role during the tour. They introduced us to the Pluktuin, Pukplein, and Maria’s community garden—wonderful examples of what can be achieved through collective effort!
Our Approach to Creating Healthy Neighborhoods:
✅ Play and Exercise Areas: Green spaces for both children and adults.
✅ Connection: Community gardens and meeting spots to combat loneliness.
✅ Inclusivity and Collaboration: Involving diverse groups in planning and implementation. Together, we are building neighborhoods where people and nature thrive together, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future.
