In 2023, a general practitioner in the neighbourhood of Overschie, Rotterdam, noticed that several of her patients needed more movement in their daily lives. She wanted to prescribe regular walks in a green and social environment but had no clear place to recommend. Her concern led to a collaboration with the municipality, a local welfare organisation, and multiple neighbourhood initiatives, including community gardens, cultural organisations and sports clubs, to launch De Groene Overschiese (“The Green Overschie”): a network of walking and cycling routes aimed at promoting active, social and healthy lifestyles by connecting residents not only with nature but also with one another.
A Growing Green Network
The concept of De Groene Overschiese was inspired by De Groene Connectie (“The Green Connection”), a successful bottom-up initiative in the neighbourhood Delfshaven, where residents worked with local organisations to map green spaces and community activities. Recognised by the municipality as an example, this approach was adapted and tailored for Overschie.
Through participatory mapping activities, community members and local social and green partners identified the walking areas within 2-8 kilometres and a 20-kilometre cycling route that follows the River Schie. The map connects 13 green and community spaces, including a historic estate, an interactive urban farm, educational gardens, museums, parks, and playgrounds. Copies of the map have been distributed across the neighbourhood and in the waiting rooms of all general practitioners, helping residents find nearby places to walk, cycle and meet.
Alongside the routes, a seasonal activity calendar offers guided walks, cycling tours, gardening workshops and community events. Local walking groups can also help residents make regular physical activity a habit.
Active Environments for Active Lifestyles
Regular physical activity can prevent and manage heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and certain cancers, while also improving mental health and overall well-being. According to the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030 (GAPPA), enabling people to meet the recommended activity levels could prevent up to five million deaths globally each year.
One of GAPPA’s strategic objectives is to create Active Environments: safe, inclusive, and accessible places and spaces that make physical activity a natural part of everyday life. De Groene Overschiese embodies Active Environments by providing access to safe, social, and nature-rich spaces where residents can be active and connect with others.
As part of the CityMove project, our researchers from Erasmus University Rotterdam are studying how this action is stimulating physical activity and community engagement. Over recent months, the team has mapped stakeholders, conducted a SWOT analysis to identify what works and what could be improved, and carried out interviews and observations to understand its use and impact. By appointing a green and social connector (a resident who coordinates the route), the initiative is strengthening community agency, reducing its vulnerability, and expanding its social potential through the integration of all social organisations in the community.
Scaling Impact Across Rotterdam
Encouraged by the success of De Groene Connectie and De Groene Overschiese, Rotterdam is now collaborating with residents and partners to develop other green and social routes across the city.
The Rotterdam CityMove team will continue studying how the intervention was implemented and whether it is reaching its goals, to help strengthen Rotterdam’s network of green and social routes ultimately leading to greener, healthier and more engaged communities. Through its collaborations and growing networks, CityMove aims to share insights on how to facilitate and support bottom-up initiatives led by residents to enhance physical activity and social engagement in their communities.
News Highlights
