cardio_vision

KRIMPEN AAN DEN IJSSEL — At the invitation of policy advisor Ellen Jacobs (Culture, Language and Events), I worked in 2024 on a study into the absence of a vibrant "Heart of Krimpen". In dialogue with stakeholders, I developed the plan: 'the performance'. Subsequently, I looked into possibilities for realization. This ultimately led to the presentation of the imaginary 'Lotte Stam-Beeseplein' in late 2025.

'CARDIO_VISION' — is the title of my first research project. Since 2006, this municipality has been making plans to give the village center a ‘lively’ character. A center vision plan (2022) exists, and steps are being taken to further develop it. Various parties are involved in this issue, and their interests diverge.

The municipality has not owned the village street since the 1980s. I noticed that it is unclear to residents how the discussions with property owners and shareholders are proceeding. Because results are lacking, this negatively impacts the credibility of the municipality. In my research, I focused on the question of what exactly a "Heart of Krimpen" is or could be. My goal was to seek new perspectives.

I have been able to speak with many people. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to do so. In doing so, my attention was focused on everything that could be of significance to the vibrant "Heart of Krimpen." By examining the local DNA, I tried to understand the situation.

For example, it struck me that little attention has been paid to essential historical sites during the development of the village. Consider, for instance, the ferry dock where the ferry from Capelle to Krimpen once sailed. This was the gateway to Krimpen. The Hollandsche IJssel Barrier and the Algera Bridge never became that. Also known as the Bridge of Sighs. Here lie opportunities for the cultural "Heart" of Krimpen.

Krimpen seems torn between village and city in its ambitions. The village narrative offers no solutions for problems on the Randstad. The provincial road N210 now literally draws a line through the old and new parts. This has a detrimental effect on the experience of the entire town. Accessibility is becoming an increasingly major problem.

I watched with some surprise as the development of the old heart of Krimpen (also known as T'Enge) came to a halt when all attention shifted to the new shopping center in 1960. It is important to map out which historical anchors remain. These can safeguard cultural identity within a growing residential community. The crescent-shaped origins of the linear village along the dike deserve more attention. The potential heart still resides in T'Enge today — popularly known as the (vanished) 'Heart of Krimpen'.

History is currently being told selectively, whereas the entire story contains wisdom that is relevant even today. For example, when we talk about the brickyard director's first bicycle, that is also an opportunity to discuss the women and children who often had to work there in deplorable conditions. It is important to give all the people who shaped Krimpen a place in the narrative. Currently, it is striking that streets are named solely after monarchs, mayors, and male politicians or artists. Women are absent from the streetscape.

If Krimpen aan den IJssel is a working-class village, why was the statue of the worker removed from its pedestal and why does it stand somewhat forlornly along the road near the industrial estate, rather than in the middle of the Raadhuisplein?

Certain decisions made in the stone environment have created scar tissue. A scar itself might not cause any symptoms, but it does reduce blood flow. Figuratively speaking, we must ensure that a new "heart" is also accepted by the "body" and is not rejected. The average life expectancy after a heart transplant is approximately 15 years. It reminds me of the once award-winning shopping mall and the "heart patient" of today. What does this mean for the decisions to be made? To what extent do we view the "body" as a cohesive whole, so that a successful heart transplant has a chance of success?

The word 'gemeente' (municipality) originates from the medieval 'meent' or 'gemene gronden' (common lands). The communal use of the commons required a form of collective administration. The heart of Krimpen now consists of the semi-public space of the De Crimpenhof shopping center. Closing off this space at the end of the day (with iron roller shutters) negatively impacts the experience of the village center. This causes a heart attack or angina pectoris. We park the car on the remaining common land. It is not a pleasant space to spend time.

'THE PERFORMANCE' — I sense some hesitation among the people of Krimpen when I mention the word 'municipality'. That is why I developed a proposal for a "cultural construction site" titled: 'de voorstelling' (the performance). It literally turns the town centre situation into the backdrop for a performance. Culture is a collective shaping process that constantly demands the space to learn and change. It is a door to the possible imagination of the future.

Also read the texts: 'Searching for a "Heart of Krimpen"' (2026) and 'A life in the service of Spaces for this and that' – Lotte Stam-Beese (2026).

Cardio_vision was part of the innovation lab 'Wanted: Talented Municipalities', with the aim of increasing support among municipalities to work together with creative and cultural makers on current challenges.

Realizing a 'cultural construction site' like 'de lezing' depends on people who are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel together.

Kind regards, Edwin Stolk.

cardio_vision in the media: BK Informatie, Platfom 31, Binnenlands Bestuur

cardio_vision follows the concept behin: #theorganisation

cardio_vision is made possible by: Innovationlabs - the Innovation Labs program gives an impulse to new resilience in the cultural and creative sector. The Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie, on behalf of all national cultural funds, and -CLICKNL are implementing the program on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This project is cofunded by the municipality Krimpen aan den IJssel

Photography: Hristina Tasheva, online footage

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