Podcast series aims to combat insecurity in Ostend's Leopold Park

A new podcast series titled "De Roddelrij" has been launched in Ostend, Belgium, with the aim of tackling feelings of insecurity within Leopold Park. The initiative, a collaboration between the women's movement ZIJkant and Theater aan Zee, seeks to encourage dialogue and restore a sense of safety in the public space.

The park, once a popular gathering spot, has increasingly been associated with drug dealing and use, leading to a decline in social presence and control. This shift has contributed to an atmosphere where many, especially women and girls, feel unsafe or intimidated. The podcast's name, "De Roddelrij," refers to the row of benches by the pond, historically a place for spontaneous conversations.

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How more people again sit on the 'roddelrij', how more social control there is.

To revive this social interaction, QR codes are placed on the park benches. Scanning these codes allows visitors to listen to stories from residents and park users about the area and community life. ZIJkant's Julie Van Garsse explained that the goal is to increase social control by encouraging more people to use the benches, listen to the stories, and engage in conversations, thereby making the park feel safer and more welcoming for everyone.

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You cannot force people to sit, let alone force them to talk to each other.