In the second semester of 2023-2024, twenty graduates from various study programs worked together in the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab Rotterdam. Students from Tourism Management, Leisure Management, Integral Safety Management, Law, Business Studies and Creative Business, among others, joined forces to tackle urban challenges.
In her graduation project, Romy focused on the cultural sector in Rotterdam-Zuid, specifically in the Charlois district. Her research focuses on how cultural stakeholders in Charlois can effectively communicate and collaborate with each other to strengthen community identity. The research was carried out against the background of urban renewal, which often leads to a loss of connectedness and community identity.
Romy collected data through interviews, observations and literature research, with a focus on the role of the municipality, cultural organizations, residents and pro-social institutions. Her findings emphasize the importance of a bottom-up approach in which the local community is actively involved in cultural projects. She found that there is a shared vision among stakeholders to collaborate on cultural initiatives, but that the implementation of these projects often falls short due to a lack of knowledge and visibility.
Based on her research, Romy formulated concrete recommendations, such as the appointment of Cultural Ambassadors per district to improve communication between residents, cultural organizations and the municipality. She also suggested the creation of an online information platform to increase the visibility of cultural activities and called for policy adjustments to promote bottom-up initiatives.
Romy’s project offers valuable insights for strengthening community identity in Charlois through cultural collaboration and communication. Her recommendations can help to increase the involvement of residents and make cultural projects in the neighborhood more impactful.