How the work done within the HUB-IN project is developing a successful artistic district in Utrecht
What until a few years ago was considered a problem area, characterised by crime and insecurity, is now a creative business park able to enhance not only the ex-industrial Werkspoorkwartier, but the whole Dutch city of Utrecht.
Day by day, the Werkspoorkwartier is becoming a popular location for creative and city-oriented companies, as well as for people interested in enjoying cultural experiences and leisure activities.
The municipality has invested in making this historic urban area (HUA) more accessible to the public and slow traffic (cyclists and pedestrians) by constructing walking paths and cycle routes. In addition, a redevelopment of the station and entrance to the area is on the agenda.
The setup of an art district: the driving role of the local business association Bedrijvenkring Cartesiusweg (BKC)
Local creative entrepreneurs have organized themselves better in recent years and have become a driving force in this HUA. They have transformed the Werkspoorkwartier by creating special and colourful facades and incorporating art into public spaces.
The next step is to strengthen the HUA organisation to tackle area-wide themes such as sustainability, innovation, and the maintenance of affordable workspace more efficiently and with broader support, and to communicate them to all target groups and politicians. An important condition for this is an even better-connected network of entrepreneurs and owners in the area. This is why, over the last year, the HUB-IN project has worked hard on turning the local business association Bedrijvenkring Cartesiusweg (BKC) into a HUB for the HUA. The goal was to set up a community of creative entrepreneurs to seek opportunities to create jobs, preserve affordable workspaces, and support cultural facilities. This will lead to a more professional BKC – now run by volunteers – and will improve its execution capacity to develop a HUB able to address – in collaboration with the municipality – the challenges identified.
The many results achieved by Utrecht’s HUB-IN so far
Over the last year, the BKC HUB has showcased its pivotal role in driving innovation and collaboration, strengthening the profile of the Werkspoorkwartier. Let’s see the milestones achieved so far:
- Expansion of workspace for creative industries
With initiatives like the relocation of dB’s, the development of Central Studios, and the construction of new spaces like STOCK and SETUP, the available workspace for the creative industries has expanded significantly, reaching an estimated 46,566 square meters by March 2024. - Growth of BKC HUB Membership
The BKC has witnessed substantial growth in its membership, with 46 new members joining between June 2023 and March 2024, indicating a burgeoning community of entrepreneurs and innovators. - Tangible interventions and improvements
Several tangible improvements have been realized in the area, including the formation of collectives to address key issues, facilitation of working groups for talent development, and the revamping of the Werkspoorkwartier website to enhance visibility and communication. - Collaborative efforts and funding acquisitions
Collaborative efforts between stakeholders, including the municipality, private owners, and entrepreneurs, have led to significant funding acquisitions, ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the BKC HUB. - Engaging events
The BKC HUB has organised a series of events aimed at fostering collaboration and engagement within the community, including quarterly gatherings, information sessions, workshops, and coordination meetings with stakeholders. - Growing outreach and engagement
With over 700 subscribers to its newsletter and active participation in various events and initiatives, the BKC HUB continues to expand its outreach and engagement efforts, ensuring that its impact is felt across diverse sectors and demographics.
These results underscore the BKC HUB’s unwavering commitment to driving positive change and fostering an ecosystem of innovation and collaboration within the HUB-IN project. As it continues to evolve and expand its influence, the BKC HUB stands for collective action and collaboration in driving transformative change.
Click here to learn more on Utrecht’s HUB-IN Action Plan!
