We are Vitibuck: a Rotterdam-based agency for participation and urban innovation, founded by two partners: Arzu Ayikgezmez and Sander Hazevoet. We are committed to a more social and beautiful city. Together with professionals and residents, we seek social added value within the spatial domain. We do this based on equality and trust. Our working method is characterized by a hands-on mentality, a grassroots approach, and bringing together diverse groups of people. We draw on our expertise as spatial designers, using imagination to make plans understandable and to stimulate communication. We ensure that citizen involvement leads to customized processes and designs. a Rotterdam based office for community and urban innovation, setup in 2008 by two partners: Arzu Ayikgezmez and Sander Hazevoet.
Our vision for the future is that we no longer speak of participation but of collaboration. But that won’t happen automatically; it requires attention and support for the community and tools to shape that collaboration. In this way, with the location knowledge, experience, and expertise of residents and entrepreneurs, we can create a more social and beautiful city together! We see a growing awareness among parties that the spatial-physical challenge is also a social-sustainable challenge. And we see movement from the bottom up; a call for more say for residents; through greater involvement with the location, more control over the process, and greater connection between people, we can harness the power of the community in spatial transformations.
We work from three perspectives: place, process, and people.
Place – We demonstrate the potential of a place by taking action; ideas are tested. This way, we make the possibilities visible to everyone involved. Through placemaking, we demonstrate the impact a small intervention can have.
Process – We design participatory processes based on the needs and target groups, drawing on a wide range of participatory tools. We deliver customized solutions aimed at broadening support, including hard-to-reach target groups.
People – We build networks by bringing together the existing energy in neighborhoods and communities and connecting the lived experience and the system. Bottom-up meets top-down; essential for every transition. We shape community building as a sustainable and equal partnership.
We have over 15 years of experience in placemaking, participation, and community building. Based on our expertise, we offer tailored solutions for:
- We support municipalities with participation processes within area development, restructuring, and transition projects.
- We assist market players with environmental management and participation processes.
- We support housing corporations in establishing and supporting residents’ committees and residential communities within restructuring projects and new construction.
- We assist residents’ groups with the participatory process and the further development of their initiatives.