‘’Let’s not forget where we come from”

What was it like for you to grow up in Rotterdam?

‘I have great memories of my youth. As a kid, I grew up in IJsselmonde and Charlois. Then, in secondary school, my RET pass for zone 5314 opened up a whole new Rotterdam for me. I discovered it’s really a sprawling city composed of lots of little “villages”. My parents felt Katendrecht and Central Station weren’t safe at the time and didn’t let me go there. To put it bluntly, back then this area was a mess. Looking at the Central District now, you see a revamped and dynamic area that is still in full development.’

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How did you experience the city as a student?

‘It was basically an extension of the life I already led. I played football three times a week, with matches on Saturdays. I did well studying history and have good memories of my tutors. When starting on my thesis, though, I began to feel hemmed in. Everything was moving so fast and I didn’t want start a proper job so young. Due to temp jobs at places like Unilever and ABN AMRO through Randstad, my studies got pushed to a back burner. The upshot was that it took me seven years to complete my degree.’

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You’ve held a number of municipal posts. How did you get into politics?

‘That didn’t happen until after university. When my football mates got faster and better at it than me, I decided it was time for a new hobby – and politics was it. Becoming a member of the Rotterdam VVD was the first step. In a city like Rotterdam that’s diverse in so many ways, my eye’s on connecting and political civic-mindedness. These topics speak to me. My parents taught me the importance of engagement with society. Don’t only focus on yourself; think about all those others, too.’

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How have you seen RCD change these last years?

‘Reconstruction plans started almost immediately after the WWII bombings. Separating functions was prioritized, as was creating the country’s first car-free shopping area, with office buildings concentrated nearby and residential areas around that. Later on, we realized this doesn’t work. Now we’re very much geared towards creating activities, a lively buzz and adding the residential component. That’s the only way to get a nice mix of functions as well as a vibrant area where people want to be. “Shoulders to the wheel and going against the flow to make the city attractive” – that’s our motto, and we’re working hard every day to make it happen.’

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Other business districts are envious of the mix of functions here. What more can we look forward to in RCD?

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‘The idea that other cities are envious of this mix is at odds with the feeling people in Rotterdam have, that developments are moving too fast. We need to take those feelings on board and make an effort not to charge down the same road as cities like London. That said, RCD is in constant development and I’m incredibly proud of the resulting mix. Next to the station we’ll have Tree House, with a cultural platform and an assortment of restaurants on the ground floor. That’s guaranteed to bring a lot more life to the area. RCD will be a place where people want to hang out.’

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Is there anything you wish for this district?

‘My wish for the district would be that we cherish what we’ve worked so hard to accomplish. This city’s about change, construction, improvement. We should embrace the changes, but also remember where we’ve come from. Let’s not forget the companies and parties that were involved. We make this city together.’

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TEXT Romy Lange & Céline Boute
PHOTOGRAHY Ruben Stam

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