In the Bomenbuurt in The Hague, many houses are standing empty because the municipality plans to demolish some of them and build new, better homes in their place. As a result, many residents have already moved away, and the empty houses have been boarded up, which does not look very cheerful.
The children who still live in the Bomenbuurt are helping to make the neighbourhood a bit more cheerful again. They are painting the boarded-up houses with paint, turning the dull boards into colourful works of art.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
This story is a good reminder that Dutch neighbourhoods can change quickly, especially when renovation or demolition plans are in progress. If you are new to the Netherlands, you may notice boarded-up houses or construction work in your area. It is useful to check your municipality's website for information about housing plans and timelines. For Dutch learners, words like dichtgetimmerd (boarded up), slopen (to demolish), and verhuizen (to move house) often appear in local news, so this is a chance to practise them in context. The children's initiative also shows how residents can stay involved and keep a sense of community even during periods of change.