‘Here people greet each other on the street’
It is, however, the important task in our future years: how do we maintain identity in times of turbulent growth? The number of inhabitants will increase from 21,000 to 30,000 in the ten years, and among the newcomers will be many large families from Amsterdam. “The construction of homes in Weespersluis is now about a third of the total,” says daily director Jan van der Does. “That has already brought us 3000 new residents, and there will be many more.”
In today’s program agreement, the administration of the Weesp urban area is fully aware of the consequences of growth. This calls for a number of measures, such as a tunnel for cyclists and pedestrians to and from Weespersluis, but also for social actions. Van der Does: “We are important in finding parts of the Weesper society. That, for example, that there must be enough space at the sports associations and no waiting lists of years.”
Community life and volunteer work
Settling down in Weesp means participating, says the driver. “Wesp’s strength, and that certainly also applies to Driemond, lies to a large extent in its voluntary work and association life. In Amsterdam, sports clubs often have paid employees at their disposal. Volunteering comes first here. I remember from my rowing club that a few years ago there was a discussion about buying off the bar service and maintenance. That did not happen: all members participate. That characterizes the atmosphere in Weesp.”
The inhabitants of Amsterdam – because they are the masters of Weesp – are expected in turn to adapt to the mores of Weesp. Those are small, important codes, says Van der Does. “Here people greet each other on the street. We also correct each other when necessary in traffic on the street. Unlike in the big city, we are used to stopping at the zebra crossing. That should remain the case. As a director of GroenLinks, I am in favor of delivery bicycles, but they too must abide by the traffic rules.”
Amsterdam district
Weesp is known as an Amsterdam neighborhood in Weesp. As far as management is concerned, there will be more exchange than is currently the case. Van der Does: “The residents of Weespersluis come to the city center, but it is mainly one-way traffic. It would be good if the Weespers also visit Weespersluis more often. There will be a beautiful park and we are thinking of other facilities that can help with that. The advantage of Weespersluis is that there is still a lot of space, space that is lacking in the tranquility of our city.”
The program agreement was reached with great unanimity. The eleven members of the city commission work together as a team, despite the different political colors. “That’s how we agreed before the merger,” says Van der Does. “We stand for the importance of Weesp and the Weespers and the Driemonders. If you want to make a clear statement, don’t get lost in party political speculation. We also organized four evenings with residents for the program agreement. Much of what we heard there has been incorporated into the change agreement.”
Van der Does is satisfied with the efforts of the Amsterdam administrators and civil servants: “Amsterdam has great administrative power. The overdue maintenance of quays and bridges has been addressed and I see more enforcers in the city than I have ever seen.” The lines with the mayor and aldermen are also short, as promised. “If something goes wrong, the aldermen are immediately available. Everyone is clearly doing their best to show that we really belong. At the end of June there was an explosion at a flat. The same day Femke Halsema was here to talk to the residents. That is seen and appreciated.”