Livability

The Livability program line brings together many topics that directly relate to or affect the people living in the 11 villages in UNESCO Maasheggen. Consider topics such as housing, participation, engaging youth, greening and health.

WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE?

Increase engagement

We want to increase residents ' involvement in UNESCO Maasheggen. This starts with knowing what is there and why it is special. To make UNESCO Maasheggen better known, communication with the inhabitants of the eleven villages in the area will be intensified in the coming years. We will do this through publications in local magazines and online platforms, but also through more direct communication with groups that are active in the area, such as volunteer hedge weavers, guides, ambassadors, producers of regional products, etc.
A 'menu' of activities will be compiled from which residents can choose, ranging from guided walks and exploring the area independently to actively participating in maintenance and management activities. The 'menu' will be developed with the organizations involved. An example of an activity that will be on the menu is the already developed podwalk. In addition, the most beautiful cycling and walking routes in the area have been compiled into a brochure, which will be available to all residents and visitors free of charge;

More influence from residents

We want to increase the influence of residents on what happens in the area.
We do this by engaging in structural and structured dialogue with (representatives of) residents of the villages and neighborhoods. Virtually all the districts and villages are represented in the Maasheggs team. Talks are held with that team four times a year. On the one hand to inform them (about the progress of ongoing activities), on the other hand to stimulate the villages and neighborhoods to develop their own initiatives (invent new activities together). Where necessary and desired, advice is sought on relevant developments in the area.

Engage youth

We want the (elementary school) youth to discover UNESCO Maasheggen - and thus make them enthusiastic for the area, also for the longer term.
One of the means we are deploying for this purpose is MaasheggenKids, an online platform aimed at young people aged 8 to 12. An attractively designed portal offers activities for youth. The activities of organizations such as Staatsbosbeheer, Brabants Landschap, Vereniging Nederlands Cultuurlandschap and Waterschap Aa en Maas, volunteer clubs such as IVN and Stichting Landschapsbeheer Boxmeer and local elementary school are also incorporated into that program where possible.