This master’s research, conducted in collaboration with the housing corporation Haag Wonen through the Scriptiewerkplaats Den Haag Zuidwest, explored how older residents with a migration background and limited Dutch language proficiency can meaningfully participate in placemaking processes. In the socially complex context of The Hague Southwest—characterized by ageing, superdiversity, and spatial segregation—traditional participation models often exclude precisely those groups most in need of agency over their living environment.

Through ethnographic fieldwork in four apartment buildings along the Lozerlaan, residents’ experiences, barriers, and opportunities were examined using multilingual workshops, informal conversations, and observations. The study found that personal contact, cultural sensitivity, and creative, low-threshold methods were essential for building trust and fostering a sense of ownership. While linguistic and literacy barriers and institutional distrust posed challenges, the findings show that inclusive participation becomes possible when residents’ experiences are genuinely valued.

The research demonstrates that placemaking is not merely a spatial or aesthetic task, but a relational and care-based practice. It resulted in several communication tools and a design proposal that invite housing professionals to reflect on their roles in inclusive urban development—and to contribute to neighbourhoods where older residents can continue to live with pride, connection, and agency.