Samenvatting

By designing the built environment for people instead of cars, a contribution can be made to a softer city, which improves the quality of life for residents as well as their health. Important aspects of such an environment are social infrastructure stimulating encounters, as well as shops and other daily facilities at walking or cycling distance.Shops and other facilities established in corner buildings are supposed to contribute to a soft city. Because of their location they can attract clients from different directions and display their products on two sides of the shop. In many old neighbourhoods, the corner buildings used to be destined for amenities, but nowadays they are often used for housing. Meanwhile, loneliness is increasing and in many places there is a need for meeting places. To find out whether it would be worthwhile to invest more in the preservation of these corner facilities, we investigated their added value for the neighbourhood in the Groningen Korrewegwijk, where there are still about 40 such amenities. We conducted a case study consisting of observations and conversations with owners, staff and passers-by.It turned out that corner properties provide liveliness to the Korrewegwijk in several ways. The bike store also has a package service and a seating area. Local residents are sharing their joys and sorrows here. The owners provided informal care for a neighbour who suffered from dementia. A neighbourhood hotel offers a laundry service staffed by volunteers for people who cannot do their own laundry. The sidewalks can be seen as a flexible extension, where the bike store placed its bike pump (for everybody’s use), the florist its plants, and the grocery store its fruits and vegetables. However, there are also empty corner properties, which create less lively street scenes. The baker’s shop has closed because of staff shortage and the bike store will also close soon.Hence, it can be concluded that the (up and running) corner properties in the Korrewegwijk are more than just amenities. They are places to meet, where feelings are shared, and even customised care is provided. However, this might not always be the case. Further research should generate more insight, which can be used by space makers willing to contribute to lively neighbourhoods fostering community resilience.