Urban policy. The Parties shall enhance the exchange of experiences and good practices in the area of urban policies, in particular to address common challenges in this area, including those arising from demographic dynamics and climate change. The Parties shall also encourage, where appropriate, such exchange of experiences and good practices among their local governments or city authorities.
Urban policy. The policy turnaround is most evident in the encompassing urban renewal strategy in 40 problem neighbourhoods, known as the 40 districts approach. The Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment compiled a list on the basis of indicators of severe social problems (VROM, 2008). In order to turn around the deprived urban areas into more liveable areas, over a thousand million euros have been invested in urban policies which are geared towards these 40 problem districts. The urban policy programs are legitimised on the basis of a regeneration policy rationale (social and economic regeneration of local areas can reduce ASB) converged with the Quality of life (ASB should be tackled because it is a serious problem that makes people miserable and fearful) and the Broken windows rationale (ASB should be tackled because if left unattended, it leads to serious crime) (Koemans, 2010). First reports with respect to outcomes of this new program demonstrate mixed effects. Social investments like supporting residents’ associations and community parties and community barbeques showed no measurable results. On the other hand physical measures such as regeneration projects (cleaning the streets, installing new street furniture) and building of new privately owned homes and putting social rent properties on sale did decrease the reported ASB in the areas The most recent evaluation also has a positive tone. The level of trust among inhabitants has risen because of the improvements they observe and ASB has again decreased (Marlet, Poort & xxx Xxxxxxxx, 2009).
