To promote the Schilderswijk and Transvaal districts as shopping areas, a tourist map was launched earlier this month. The map introduces visitors to the multicultural shops, restaurants, and cultural and historical richness of the five shopping streets in these two neighborhoods. The map is illustrated by The Hague resident Boy Boelhouwer, who gathered input from residents and business owners in the area.
Alderman Nur Icar (SME, Participation): “A while ago, I was walking through the neighborhood and saw Boy standing on the street with an easel. This map wasn’t created behind a desk, but actually in the neighborhoods, together with residents and businesses. It’s fantastic that this is the result. I hope many visitors will discover the area. Let this map guide you through the wonderful places and businesses these neighborhoods have to offer!”
Co-creation with residents and entrepreneurs
Boy Boelhouwer presented the first copy to Alderman Icar. “To create the illustrated map, I spent a lot of time in the neighborhoods this summer and fall, speaking with over fifty residents, business owners, and visitors of all ages. We captured these wonderful encounters and treasures in the drawings and writing. I hope that this colorful map will give residents of The Hague, as well as tourists, a new perspective on the neighborhood,” says Boelhouwer.
One of the entrepreneurs featured on the map is Sarah van Soldt (Head of Programs & Partnerships at Theater de Vaillant). Van Soldt: ” Theater de Vaillant is the premier theater and cultural anchor for the Schilderswijk and Transvaal districts. Our tower proudly features in the beautifully illustrated map by Boy Boelhouwer. Do you live in our neighborhoods and would you like to perform, sing, or rap on the city’s highest stage? Send me a message!”
Schilderswijk and Transvaal on the map
The municipality of The Hague is investing €7 million to strengthen the business climate in the Schilderswijk and Transvaal districts. This includes promoting and marketing the area. The tourist map is part of this effort. The map was launched during WijkFest, a neighborhood festival in the Schilderswijk district for residents and businesses, which was also organized as part of the plans for the Schilderswijk and Transvaal districts.
The map is now available from businesses, tourist information points, and hotels and hostels in The Hague.
Photographer: Martijn Beekman.
Featured photo: (from left to right): Boy Boelhouwer (illustrator of the map), Alderman Nur Icar, Sarah van Soldt (Head of Program & Partnerships Theater de Vaillant).
