How can you make the city more attractive? The Rotterdam city authorities do not want to do it all alone. Instead, they are calling for suggestions from locals themselves. People living or working in Rotterdam could submit their ideas to the so-called City Initiative (Stadsinitiatief), a municipal scheme to promote citizen initiatives that can be realised rapidly and benefit the whole city. The winning proposal will be implemented in the near future.

Some 93 proposals were submitted, ranging from a children’s newspaper and a ‘street planetarium’ to a city agriculture business and a ‘tribute to Rotterdammers’. Architecture firm ZUS submitted the Luchtsingel elevated promenade as a good idea for Rotterdam. 

The first round of selection has taken place and ten projects have made it onto a shortlist, among them the Luchtsingel. On 14 February the City Initiative Board will announce its Top 5. Rotterdammers will then have a chance to learn more about these Top 5 initiatives. From 1 to 12 March Rotterdammers can vote for their favourite City Initiative.

> The shortlist is available on the Stadsinitiatief website. 

> Buy a plank with your name on it and help build the Luchtsingel. You can order planks and even bridge components at www.imakerotterdam.nl.