Lessons from the Soft City
Lessons from the Soft City is a European project that looks at ways to make our city healthier and more enjoyable. In the project, residents, organisations and the local authority look into ways to ensure neighbourhoods where people feel good and have more contact with one another.
About the project
The City of Leeuwarden is the project lead for Lessons from the Soft City. We are collaborating with two European partners:
- Urban Foxes from Belgium. This is an organisation from Brussels that helps people actively contribute to improving their neighbourhood. It does this through projects and workshops in which residents can participate and contribute their thoughts.
- Laboratorio Activo de Barrio from Spain. This is an organisation from Madrid that works on projects to make neighbourhoods greener, more social and more inclusive.
How do we do this?
We look into what residents consider important in their living environment. We also organise training courses and gatherings, including in Madrid.
Additionally, we record podcasts and are writing a book with ideas for making a city more enjoyable and more caring.
What does the project focus on?
The project mainly looks at three topics:
- Health and welfare: how does the city influence how people feel?
- New forms of participation: how can residents have a greater say in their living environment?
- Strong communities: how can we create more tight-knit and connected neighbourhoods?
How will Leeuwarden use the project?
The local authority is using this project to discover new ideas for beautifying the city and for neighbourhood projects. In this way, we can learn from other cities how they are working towards a pleasant and liveable city together with residents.
Project partners
- City of Leeuwarden
- Urban Foxes (Belgium)
- Laboratorio Activo de Barrio (Spain)
Project period
From 31 October 2025 to 29 April 2027.
Total project budget
€60,000
About the project
The City of Leeuwarden is the project lead for Lessons from the Soft City. We are collaborating with two European partners:
- Urban Foxes from Belgium. This is an organisation from Brussels that helps people actively contribute to improving their neighbourhood. It does this through projects and workshops in which residents can participate and contribute their thoughts.
- Laboratorio Activo de Barrio from Spain. This is an organisation from Madrid that works on projects to make neighbourhoods greener, more social and more inclusive.
How do we do this?
We look into what residents consider important in their living environment. We also organise training courses and gatherings, including in Madrid.
Additionally, we record podcasts and are writing a book with ideas for making a city more enjoyable and more caring.
What does the project focus on?
The project mainly looks at three topics:
- Health and welfare: how does the city influence how people feel?
- New forms of participation: how can residents have a greater say in their living environment?
- Strong communities: how can we create more tight-knit and connected neighbourhoods?
How will Leeuwarden use the project?
The local authority is using this project to discover new ideas for beautifying the city and for neighbourhood projects. In this way, we can learn from other cities how they are working towards a pleasant and liveable city together with residents.
Project partners
- City of Leeuwarden
- Urban Foxes (Belgium)
- Laboratorio Activo de Barrio (Spain)
Project period
From 31 October 2025 to 29 April 2027.
Total project budget
€60,000