ROTTERDAM, 10 February 2026 – Rotterdam says neighbourhood and village councils (wijk- en dorpsraden) have helped deliver 4,165 neighbourhood actions (wijkacties) over the past four years. The city reports that 90% of the planned actions have been carried out, exceeding the original target of 75%.
In practical terms, that means many of the priorities set locally, from small fixes in public space to social initiatives, moved from plan to reality during this council period.
How the system works in Rotterdam neighbourhoods
The city links these results to Wijk aan Zet, a governance approach introduced four years ago that changed how City Hall works with neighbourhoods. Under this system, residents in 37 neighbourhood councils (wijkraden) and 2 village councils (dorpsraden) decide each year which actions matter most in their area.
Those priorities are written down in annual action plans (jaaractieplannen), described as concrete plans drafted by residents, focused on liveability, safety and social cohesion.
What people did in Rozenburg, Ommoord and beyond
A publication titled 39 keer trots looks back at what neighbourhood and village councils say they achieved across the city. The examples range from new places to meet in Rozenburg, to tackling parked trailers and caravans in Ommoord, and adding extra street lighting in darker spots in Hoogvliet.
Other examples include an annual neighbourhood dinner (Wijkdiner) in Tarwewijk to draw attention to poverty, and the opening of a youth hub (jongerenhub) in Hillesluis. The booklet is available here: https://persberichtenrotterdam.nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/Boekje-39-keer-Trots.pdf
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Robert Simons points to visible results
Alderman for neighbourhoods Robert Simons says residents understand best what their neighbourhood needs, and he links the delivery rate to close cooperation between neighbourhood and village councils, civil service support, and the aldermen responsible for neighbourhoods.
“Residents know better than anyone what their neighbourhood needs. Thanks to the close cooperation between neighbourhood and village councils, civil service support and neighbourhood aldermen, by far most actions from the annual action plans have been realised. From new play areas and improvements in public space to social initiatives that strengthen liveability. No big words, but visible results: 90 percent of the actions have been carried out. We did what we promised.” — Robert Simons, alderman for neighbourhoods
More candidates for wijk elections
The city also points to growing interest in wijk council elections (wijkraadsverkiezingen). For the next term, 829 residents are on the ballot for the neighbourhood and village councils, which is more than 200 compared to four years ago.
Rotterdam frames that increase as a sign that more people want to think along, make decisions, and take responsibility in their neighbourhood.
