For the second time, Stichting Over de Brug conducted a large resident survey among the residents of Oostenburg Noord. A total of 268 neighbors completed the questionnaire, once again representing a broad and representative group of the approximately 2,000 people who live on the island. The results are clear: residents see the potential of the neighborhood, but feel that it has not yet been realized.

The neighborhood in figures

Oostenburg Noord is a young neighborhood with a young population. More than half of the residents have lived there for less than three years, and 43% are between 30 and 45 years old. The neighborhood has many owner-occupied homes (42%) and private sector rentals (41%). Notably, 17% consider themselves expats. There is a clear divide in expectations for the future: 31% want to stay here long-term, while 12% expect to leave within a year.

The average satisfaction rating for the neighborhood as a whole is 3.2 out of 5 — slightly above 5 out of 10. Residents appreciate the tranquility, the central location, the proximity to the city center, the quality of the homes, and the water surrounding the island. However, the public space leaves much to be desired.

Green spaces and public spaces: the sticking points

The biggest issue is the lack of green space. Almost 70% of residents give this a score of 1 or 2 out of 5. ‘Green space’ is also the most frequently mentioned area for improvement in the open responses: 106 times. Residents are asking for more trees, preferably mature ones, less concrete, green space in every street, and visible implementation of previous plans. After two years, they have not yet seen any improvement.

Public spaces score just as low: 2.2 out of 5. Complaints concern poor paving, particularly on Oostenburgermiddenstraat, dangerous situations, puddles and flooding, and overflowing containers. Residents still perceive the neighborhood more as a construction site than a finished residential area.

New themes: safety, cohesion, and plinths

In 2026, safety, social cohesion, and the use of plinths were also examined in detail for the first time. All three score moderately. During the day, the neighborhood feels reasonably safe, but less so in the evening. According to residents, this is mainly due to poor lighting, empty plinths, and the deserted appearance of construction sites.

There is not yet a real sense of community. Contact within buildings is often good, but outside the front door it remains limited. Residents are asking for meeting places, accessible restaurants and neighborhood activities. There is still no supermarket, bakery, or coffee bar in the neighborhood, and the low plinth score of 2.4 out of 5 is one of the lowest in the survey.

Residents do not see this as a series of separate complaints. The connection is clear: more greenery and better public spaces lead to more time spent on the streets, more interaction, more cohesion, and more social safety. Lively plinths reinforce that process.

Positive signs

Not everything is cause for concern. The provision of information has clearly improved (3.7 out of 5) and the reach of neighborhood media is growing: the WhatsApp Community remains the largest channel, Over de Brug grew by 17%, Buurtorganisatie 1018 by 20% and Buurtkrant 1018 by 13%. The Van Gendthallen remains the most highly rated place on the island (3.8 out of 5), with high expectations for the future Drift Museum and new restaurants and cafés.

And perhaps the most encouraging figure: 61% of residents say they are willing to do volunteer work. That is a strong foundation for joint improvement.

The message from the Oostenburg Noord resident survey is clear

Oostenburg Noord has good core values. But residents are not asking for abstract plans; they want visible, concrete improvements, now, even if they are temporary. Invest in green spaces, improve public spaces, activate the plinths, and enhance the quality of life. These are the levers for cohesion, safety, and a neighborhood that lives up to its promise.

On Thursday, February 26, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., we will discuss the results and next steps during the Talk Show in the Buurtkamer. Come along!

For the full results, see the Oostenburg Noord 2026 resident survey.

View the summary of the results here.