Investing now for a healthier future

AM is working on the development of Hero of Breda. Named after the former factory site of the famous marmalade and juice producer Hero. But apart from this reference to the past, the area is mainly focused on the future. AM wants to make Hero the healthiest neighborhood in Breda. Michael: “With this area development we show that with extra measures you can create a neighborhood where residents live more fit and happy.”

On the map, the neighborhood's fruit names are already drawn in: from Strawberry Path to Raspberry Path and from Pear Garden to Apple Garden. But of course, it doesn't stop at fancy names, Michael explains: “An important unique part of Hero is the neighborhood community association that you automatically become a member of as a resident. The association will have its own place: 'Club Hero,' a contemporary meeting place where residents can have a cup of coffee with each other while the children play outside, where you cook together or where you gather before you go for sports.” How does Club Hero contribute to health? “At AM, we understand health to mean both physical and mental well-being. We know that there is a lot of loneliness among the elderly, but this also plays out among young people. Club Hero combats loneliness and increases the sense of community. To ensure that there are also sufficient funds to give the club a running start, AM is paying the membership fees for all residents for the next few years.”

The approach to healthier living also brings uncertainties. Michael: “It is exciting whether we will get people on board, because it does require a different mindset. But we believe that with our area developments we can positively influence people's lives. That's why we invest in this. We cannot force residents to live healthier lives. But we can encourage them. We want to facilitate them and make healthy living more fun and easier. So that they will also take initiatives themselves.”

AM does that stimulating in several ways. The neighborhood is deliberately designed to encourage residents to go outside. Michael: “Besides Club Hero, we provide meeting places throughout the neighborhood. From a shared roof garden on the apartment building, benches and sports equipment for young and old to playgrounds and picnic tables. On the outside of the apartments, we are creating wide window sills that invite you to sit outside and connect with local residents. The neighborhood will also be green. This greenery is already planted now, so it will already look good once the neighborhood is completed.”

Activity is also encouraged with play equipment for children such as the climbing savannah, strawberry climbing rocks and swings, among others. Michael: “But young people and adults can also do their thing on the cross-fit equipment and the pumptrack; a circuit with humps and turns where you can rollerblade, step or bike. In addition, there will be paving stones throughout the neighborhood with playful exercise tasks such as: 'twist arms around' or 'lift knees.'” The apartment buildings are designed so that the stairs are the logical way up and the elevator is only the second choice. Furthermore, the bike racks are not simply tucked away in a basement, Michael explains. “They are accessible and visible from the first floor thanks to the glass facade. In this way, we make it easier to grab a bike. One parking space is available for each owner-occupied home. This also ensures that residents make healthy or sustainable choices for their mobility. We hope this will make them more likely to take the bike or use shared mobility. We are currently working out the facilities for this. The community app we are developing for the neighborhood is also an important tool. It will make it easier for local residents to get in touch with each other. For example, to arrange to exercise or walk together.”

Even healthy eating is encouraged by AM. “We are planting fruit trees in the neighborhood that can be picked from, and there will be a vegetable garden where residents can grow their own vegetables. How nice then, that they can cook a meal from that together in the kitchen of Club Hero.” AM invests in the establishment of the vegetable garden, the residents then get to work with it and the municipality of Breda is responsible for its management. To get such a neighborhood off the ground, a fine collaboration with different parties is essential. Michael: “We form a planning team with various interested parties and knowledge partners such as Jantje Beton, the Heart Foundation and the Knowledge Center Sport & Movement, and so together we come up with all these initiatives that contribute to a healthier living environment. The housing investor and the housing corporation also embrace our vision for the neighborhood. It's nice working together when everyone is willing to stick their neck out.

Not only is attention paid to the well-being of residents and users at the street and neighborhood level, the homes also contribute to a healthy and happy living environment, Michael explains. “The homes, designed with a nod to the industrial past, have a healthy and comfortable indoor climate due to optimal ventilation systems and a ground-source heat pump that can also cool.” Furthermore, the homes have large windows that let in plenty of natural light, thereby contributing to a good mood. The use of sound-absorbing materials creates a quieter environment where it is easy to unwind.

AM and its partners are making every effort to make Hero of Breda the healthiest neighborhood in Breda. The healthy basis is then in place. After that, it's up to the residents, the 'heroes' of the neighborhood, to take over.