Places for community and community resilience

Abstract

This study explores whether and in what ways the socio-spatial dynamics of Verhalenhuis Belvédère contribute to community resilience and social connections in Katendrecht. Located in Rotterdam, the neighbourhood’s layered social history and evolving diversity make it a distinctive context for studying community places. Drawing on ethnographic observations and interviews, the research identifies key socio-spatial qualities that position the place as an important form of community infrastructure, enabling network-building and reinforcing people–place ties. The findings highlight three ways the place supports community resilience: (1) fostering spatial agency through participatory co-creation of the physical environment; (2) promoting networked solidarity across diverse social groups in the neighbourhood; and (3) enabling identity grounding through cultural recognition and memory work connected to Katendrecht’s heritage. The study demonstrates how such community-driven places can help counteract the disruptive effects of urban renewal while maintaining neighbourhood identity. These insights underscore the importance of public space design that prioritises cultural recognition, grassroots participation, and flexible programming to support communities undergoing transformation. Operationalising socio-spatial frameworks through resident-collective management, participatory governance, and targeted design interventions can enable integrated design–planning–policy approaches, helping planners and policymakers foster more connected and resilient communities.