The research takes place at a time when concerns are growing about livability outside the major cities*. The findings emphasize regional differences and the potentially negative effect of disappearing facilities on the livability of smaller residential areas.
One of the outcomes of the research is that the density of meeting places is higher in smaller residential areas. There are (many) more inhabitants per meeting place in smaller residential areas, so opening or closing such a meeting place may have a greater effect in smaller residential areas than in larger ones.
Main findings
- Livability in smaller residential areas is somewhat more favorable than in larger residential areas.
- This applies to four out of five dimensions** of livability. In smaller residential areas, there is less nuisance and a feeling of insecurity, higher social cohesion, and the housing stock is generally more favorable than in larger residential areas.
- The number of meeting places per inhabitant is higher in smaller than in larger residential areas.
- Nationally, the number of meeting places per inhabitant is highest in the north and in Zeeland.
- The number of meeting places per inhabitant is slightly positively correlated with livability.
RegioBank, with 425 offices well represented in the region, recognizes the importance of these insights. Noraly King, livability expert at RegioBank, says: "As a neighborhood bank, we are committed to livability in all Dutch regions. Therefore, we regularly investigate how livability is doing. And how we can contribute to making the neighborhood more enjoyable, safer, or more social."
Meeting places becoming increasingly important
Examples of meeting places include village houses and other multifunctional facilities, places to play sports, engage in activities together, attend performances, borrow a book, or just enjoy a drink together.
Noraly King emphasizes: "A neighborhood-friendly place is a residential area where it is nice to live, work, and thrive. Meeting places enhance the livability of smaller residential areas by playing a crucial role in social connectivity, exchanging information, celebrating culture, and stimulating the local economy. Therefore, independent advisors from RegioBank, together with local residents and associations and foundations, support local projects that foster connection, such as establishing and maintaining meeting places. This research again shows how important it is: Meeting places enhance neighborhood friendliness."
Examples of neighborhood-friendly initiatives
RegioBank supports various local initiatives that make the neighborhood more enjoyable, safer, or more social. A good example is the renovation of the village house in Marken (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN0nZg6I3NY) and the shelter for the children's farm in Waalwijk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzin0lrY77s).
RegioBank also organizes the National Village Summit annually. The event that pays attention to the strength of the region, villages, and small communities, and their livability. The bank does this together with local entrepreneurs, financial advisors, and experts in the field of livability. The conclusions of the National Village Summit are added to the regional future agenda at the end. This year, the National Village Summit will take place on June 20 in the Zeeland Veere (https://www.regiobank.nl/home.html).
Rankings
The research has created rankings for livability among all smaller residential areas (7 to 23 thousand inhabitants) in the Netherlands.
The top 3 with the highest livability score (2022)
- Laren
- Bergen (NH)
- Santpoort-Noord
All three have received the livability class 'excellent'.
The top 3 with the lowest livability score (2022)
- Rozenburg
- Delfzijl
- Werkendam
Rozenburg and Delfzijl score the livability class 'sufficient'. Werkendam 'more than sufficient'.
The top 3 with the greatest improvement in livability (2014-2022)
- Oost-Souburg
- Hoensbroek
- Zundert
These three places received the livability class 'more than sufficient'.
