On this day the Floating Park in Rotterdam’s Rijnhaven will transform into a vibrant waterside meeting place during the community event Neighbours on Board.

As the Rijnhaven undergoes a major transformation into a new urban district featuring approximately 3,000 homes, public amenities and a city beach, the water remains an unfamiliar and sometimes inaccessible space for many residents. Neighbours on Board reconnects people with the harbour and explores how the Rijnhaven can become a more inclusive and accessible public space for all.

Build a Boat

Create your own boat using recycled materials and contribute to a colourful floating installation in the heart of the Rijnhaven.

Urban Swimming

Discover the potential of swimming in the city through interactive workshops led by the Rotterdam Lifesaving Brigade. Learn about water safety, self-reliance and the future of urban swimming culture in Rotterdam.

Message in a Bottle

Share your ideas, wishes and dreams for the future of the Rijnhaven. Collected messages will be shared with the neighbourhood hub and serve as inspiration for the area’s ongoing development.

Neighbours on Board has been developed by students from the Urban Life & Placemaking programme at Breda University of Applied Sciences as part of the European InclusiveCity project. The event explores how temporary interventions in public space can contribute to a more inclusive relationship between residents, water and urban development. The event is free to attend, sustainably organised and open to all ages.