Welcome to the neighborhood!

The search for a new home

The Netherlands grapples with an asylum crisis, with the overloaded application center in Ter Apel drawing attention to the country’s migration system. While a limited capacity is one of the first hurdles asylum seekers face, it is only the start of a long trajectory that can take years to navigate. It is found that the process lacks support for newcomers to participate and build a social network, leaving them struggling to fully participate in Dutch society. The system requires a human-centered approach that fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring newcomers' comfort and a sense of feeling at home.

Navigating the neighborhood

‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ aims to redefine ‘integration as ‘feeling at home’ and identifies ten key factors to achieve this, including participation, autonomy, and personal growth. The project explores the role of neighborhoods in helping newcomers feel at home and its positive impact on social integration. New neighborhoods represent newcomers' first stable housing and a chance for locals and newcomers to interact. Existing local networks and initiatives can be powerful tools for promoting inclusion and participation among newcomers. ‘Een kijk in de wijk’ (ENG: Neighborhood Navigator) is an interactive model of the Bospolder-Tussendijken neighborhood in Rotterdam. It provides insights into community centers, activities, key figures, and developments through stories, aiming to encourage newcomers to participate in their local community and enhance their inclusion.