Courtyard Crushers and neighbours team up to deseal private yards

Vlierstraat, in one of the three pilot neighbourhoods, is set to become much greener. Just before construction works began, the Courtyard Crushers headed to the neighbourhood to remove as much private paving as possible. What they offered: a day full of advice (from the Courtyard Crushers and a landscape architect), access to professional equipment, and free rubble removal (using containers and rubble bags). The residents themselves recruited friends and family and worked together to remove the paving. To make a swift transition from paving removal to greening, the Courtyard Crushers returned two weeks later with free topsoil and the first plants.

Doorstep conversations

The campaign day was preceded by a number of outreach initiatives. Around 1,200 households received an invitation in their letterbox, and immediately afterwards, project team members went out to have a chat with potential participants. They rang the doorbells of 140 people, and actually had a conversation with half of them. In addition, residents were able to ask any questions they had during a drop-in session at the nearby school, and they could arrange for a Courtyard Crusher to visit them at home in preparation for the campaign day.

Stronger together

In the end, nine local residents got to work on 7 March, together with friends and family. A good turnout, especially in a neighbourhood with many tenants and little chance for removal of private paving. Among those nine: an elderly couple who had originally not planned to take part because the work was a little too strenuous for them. However, six neighbours spontaneously offered their help and together they tackled the couple’s courtyard. The power of collective action was proven once again.