Who is the mayor of rotterdam

He decided that citizens had to put on face coverings in the City of Rotterdam. The Rotterdam climate change adaptation strategy has a course that will lead to a climate proof city and provides insight into the opportunities that climate change presents.

Nominated by Esther K. Everybody gets his attention. He is straigt, he is social, he's clever. A great mayor for our fantastic city. Nominated by Judith A. He has adapted the way of this city, hands on. He walks the Streets and talks to the men and women he meets. He really listens. He is also not afraid to role up his sleeves and act. He does not hesitate to confront people breaking the rules, but mostly he is a fine human being. He makes us proud.

Nominated by Casper B. Stood up bravely against terrorism, stands with the people fighting corona. Always warm but strict. Both father and teacher to his citizens. An anchor for the people. Nominated by Johanna M.

He is the 2nd mayor to receive this. He is the best mayor Rotterdam has ever had. He knows what's going on in his town. Goes among people without using security. He is strict but fair and always wants the best for the city. Unfortunately, despite advocating strict Corona measures and complying with them consistently, he has become infected with the Corona virus.

Mayor, get well soon! Rotterdam is waiting for you! Nominated by SavTar, Netherlands: His priority is wellbeing, safety and health for the inhabitants.

He is a connector and straightforward. He is empathic, fair and clear. He strives for a better society and environment in good times and in times of crises! He is a real leader and therefore deserves the World Mayor Prize.

Nominated by Corry, Netherlands: Een Burgmeester waar vele een voorbeeld aan kunnen nemen. Een leider in de coronacrisis. Een eerlijke Burgemeester voor een ieder , ongeacht kleur religie ras of geaardheid.

Nominated by Raymond, Netherlands: The Mayor of Rotterdam makes a difference when it comes to connecting different groups in his city, in his country en he speak ups en reflects his thoughts transparantly.

Being a child of immigrants, his efforts are exceptional. Challenges: There are a lot of roofs with space With the climate changing it is important to make cities green and useful when it comes to energy. No fossil energy anymore please. Nominated by Aad, Rotterdam: He is the mayor of all citizens, he connects people and lives for his city. Rotterdam did not have such a mayor after the Second World War. Nominated by John O. Being an immigrant himself but having earned the respect from both immigrant and native inhabitants.

Nominated by Joyce W. He has made Rotterdam a city where everybody is well one. All ethnicities in the city of Rotterdam is sometimes a problem. Nominated by Alice S. He managed to involve the inhabitants in such a way that they are now initiating their own projects and participating in projects of the city in stead of passively mocking about what is not being done in Rotterdam. By doing so, he shares responsibility with inhabitants, removes barriers and empowers everyone.

The citizens are encouraged budget, facilities, expertises to develop sustainable solutions for their own neighborhoods and to propose improvements of the neighborhoods that can be combined with the energy transition like more trees, electric rental bikes, better lighting for safety, training of unemployed people so they get employed for installing the new heating systems. About Covid- his honest, no nonsense, shared responsibility approach has been very effective during the past months.

When he explains always using accessible language and always in dialogues what needs to be done and why, people understand and cooperate. Challenges: Think that the most important thing is to nominate only mayors who are really excellent in terms of empathy and communications on top of the regular requirements and mayors that have a real fit with the town.

For other ideas- just look at what Aboutaleb is doing. Aboutaleb goes to Carnisse every Friday, talks with citizens and mobilizes everyone needed to get things done. Nominated by Astrid W. The Dutch citizens would like to see him as the President of The Netherlands, that says it all.

Nominated by Pantau, Netherlands: Ahmed Aboutaleb, is NIET zoals de burgermeester van Amsterdam, elitair, hautain , deze burgermeester is juist open naar zijn gemeenschap toe. Waar Femke Halsema burgermeester van Amsterdam zich alleen maar in zet voor een beperkte groep burgers, zet Ahmed Aboutaleb zich juist in voor iedere burger en weet ook wat er speelt in zijn Rotterdamse gemeenschap.

Ook is hij oprecht en verbind hij de gemeenschappen, luistert hij naar problemen en probeert hij deze ook op te lossen. Ook durft hij, waar andere de kop in het zand steken , zich in moeilijke en gevoelige tijden uit te spreken ,denk maar aan zijn toespraak na de charlie hebdo aanslag.

Ook was Ahmed Aboutaleb al voor de pandemie bezig om Rotterdam , structureel, economisch, sociaal en ecologisch veerkrachtiger voor alle Rotterdamse inwoners te maken. Challenges: Grotere steden moeten meer eendrachtig plannen zodat er een evenwichtige verdeling in betaalbaar wonen komt , maak meer keuze voor energie neutrale hoogbouw met daar tussen grote groene leefgebied stroken zodat de natuur de ruimte krijgt en het overtollig water niet het riool in verdwijnt maar terug de natuur in gaat flora en fauna , verbind de steden met goed toegankelijk en betaalbaar openbaar vervoer zodat het aantrekkelijker is om met het openbaar vervoer dan met de auto te gaan.

Nominated by Renske V. Fully integrated in Holland and respectful towards all beliefs, genders, races. Builds stability in a very devided community, a real peoples father! Nominated by Cor v. He is very capable for his job and is respected by all people of pur city. He has the courage to say the truth in difficult situations. Even his political opponents have respect for the way he works.

I am proud to have him as our mayor. An interesting detail is in my opinion, that he loves poetry Nominated by Herman H. Hij staat letterlijk en figuurlijk dicht bij zijn mensen. Voelt zich ook zeer betrokken bij buitenlandse gebeurtenissen. In de Franse taal stak hij voor de Franse mensen een hart onder de riem na de vreselijke ramp in Parijs.

In deze moeilijke coronatijd wijst hij de burgers constant op regels die gehandhaafd moeten worden om een volledige lockdown te voorkomen. He is someone with a big heart and cares a lot about the less fortunate, regardless of race, skin colour or origin.

He also does a lot for the people in the disadvantaged neighborhoods such as better housing, schools and employment. He also does a lot about the environment and living conditions. He makes Rotterdam greener and greener. He is also very much appreciated and loved outside his city. Everyone has respect in who he is and what he does. Under his leadership, Rotterdam has become an even finer city to live and work in. He's at the forefront of the battle against CoronaVirus. He leaves no stone unturned to say that you have to follow the rules, including on the national television channels.

His opinion and advice are generally respected and followed up. He is very charismatic and loved by almost everyone. A true Mayor! Challenges: A city can become stronger if there is a lot of cooperation in all kinds of areas. It also helps if there are less sharp political contradictions and everyone is aware that they are pursuing the same goal, namely a nice city or village to live in. Nice city in the sense of strong people, fair treatment and good environment.

Nominated by Martin v. During mayor corona crisis he asked for action and was not following the national government in policy of doing nothing. Strong man. Good mayor. Nominated by Eric S. Ahmed takes the lead and addresses the population without regards to persons. Ahmed listens to what is going on and actively action. Ahmed acts like a true mayor to its residents. The citizens love him. Nominated by Hans R. Nominated by Yoeri R.

During the pandemic our city has become a hotspot for new infections, this is through little to no fault of our mayor who has held a firm position during the crisis, urging people to stay 6ft away from each other and be mindful of others in your immediate surrounding. His stance towards the placement of more substantial measures has made him a strong public figure that shows he has hearth for the city and the people living in it. He may not always have the popular opinion, but he keeps the security and health of the Rotterdammers a top priority, which cannot be said for the mayor in Amsterdam.

Nominated by Imad, Netherlands: Dutchman of the year, dedicated, committed eye for detail, tough if needed and always clear. Liked among friends and opponents, best mayor of Rotterdam and loved across the Netherlands. Nominated by V. In the Corona crisis, he is at the forefront, he frequently informs his city, with a clear message.

A calm factor in a moving time. Incredibly handsome! In addition, he frequently appears in TV programs, here too he correctly informs the inhabitants of our country and stimulates them to make the right choices in this almost surrealistic time. Unfortunately he is now hit by the Covid19 himself.

Hopefully he will recover well and be ready for the citizens of Rotterdam soon. Hats off to the winner! Nominated by Marian V. He has a BIG heart for Rotterdam. He is able to explain his decisions and he is not afraid to look for new rules in this difficult situation. He middles between young and older people. He represents Rotterdam very well all over the world.

If you nominate Femke Halsema, you cannot forget Ahmed Aboutaleb. He is simply the best. Nominated by Veronique, Netherlands: Hij is de burgemeester van alle Rotterdammers, hij is verbindend, duidelijke en behandelt iedereen met respect.

Hij kijkt zelf wat er niet goed gaat in de wijken door naar de mensen toe te gaan en er voor te zorgen dat zaken aangepakt en opgelost worden.

In de coronacrisis loopt hij voorop met zijn aanpak om het virus de kop in te drukken. Ik woon al heel lang niet meer in Rotterdam maar voor mij is hij wel mijn burgemeester. Nominated by Monique H.

He can connect right wing and left wing citizens, and make his city a multi cultural place, where people of every religion or Political conviction can live side by side. Nominated by Jeroen, outside The Netherlands: The mayor has been on the frontline fighting the virus in the city, he even contracted it himself. Rotterdam has a high rate of infected people because it is the main working city in the country and a city with a lot of high buildings forcing people in elevators, however as the second biggest city compaired with others Rotterdam is doing quite well.

Since Aboutaleb has become the mayor Rotterdam has seen a lot of new construction like the Markthal puting the city on the map in the country itself and beond. He managed to make the city safer and strongen and with the new construction also kept an eye on keeping the city green and where possible making it greener.

Ahmed Aboutaleb is on his way to a record. The longest-serving mayor of Rotterdam. He wants it, the city council wants it too. Undisputed, incorruptible, tireless, with a heart for the city and with a clear vision. Under his care, Rotterdam has flourished, crime has fallen and self-confidence has grown.

He stood upright in all administrative storms. A great achievement in one of the toughest cities in the Netherlands. Should he say goodbye now, he will receive a statue.

But he continues. Only once before did a mayor in Rotterdam start a third term; Bram Peper. He soon exchanged the chain of office for a ministerial post and the rest is history.

Ultimately, the man was rehabilitated for the receipt affair, but the fact remains that the once celebrated Peper made few friends in his last years as mayor and a culture had emerged in the town hall where critical questions were not appreciated.

Ahmed Aboutaleb is also a person who cannot tolerate criticism. He has trouble with views other than his. A conversation with him usually results in a lecture. Whether it concerns crime, the energy transition, urban development, water management, poetry or honey, the mayor understands it and likes to teach about it.

Exceptional strong conviction and independent behaviour and actions. And despite all of that he seems to be able to keep all parties aligned. His point of view is respected by all parties. Greener by fewer houses. Challenges: Make cities greener by building less houses and apartment buildings. Cities should not be 'conglomerates' but only centre points with the needed facilities for an area.

Nominated by Sonja M. He is straightforward in a pleasant way. He seems to really care for his citizens. He is a rolemodel for immigrants as he is of maroccan birth.

He came to the netherlands when he was 15 years old and worked hard to become what he is now. He has been the maire for almost 12 years now and seems to be loved by the majority of the inhabitants.

Nominated by Jan B. Has been mayor for 12 years and, once again elected by the city council, will continue for another 6 years.

Aboutaleb, who was sworn in as mayor in and is one of the longest-serving mayors in Europe, is the first Dutch mayor to receive the award. During all his years as mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb has always acted as a father of a very large family. In response to the news, Aboutaleb said he was speechless. In times when people tend to be divided in groups, it is important to build bridges and understanding for the common good. Mayor Aboutaleb, who came to the Netherlands from Morocco at the age of 15, is the first mayor of a large city in the Netherlands who is of both immigrant origin and the Muslim faith.

Mayor Aboutaleb started his career in media and public relations, then became director of the Forum organisation, an institute dealing with multiculturalism in the Netherlands.

He then served as the State Secretary for social affairs, and then eventually became appointed as mayor of Rotterdam in October of A city with almost different nationalities requires an inclusive approach, which is why meeting is another central theme in the coming years, so we can live together in peace. The real priority is to improve the level of education in the city. The original tenants are forced to pay hundreds of euros more if they want to stay in the neighbourhood.

Question by Herman V. Question by Mieke H. We've come through the Covid pandemic in a good way, but the housing crisis is worse and affects many of your fellow citizens. Question by Petra S. The situation worries me, since I am elderly myself. Elderly people will not be able to live independently due to a lack of suitable and affordable housing.

Question by Jan-Willem B. Investors individual and professionals are buying houses and renting them out. It is unfair that people who rent a house are spending more than if they bought a house, particularly since they cannot get a mortgage. What is your opinion about this? Are you willing to deal with this unfair situation, which is most acute among the young.

Question by By Rita T. Is there a plan how to solve this problem? Most new buildings are not aimed at low-income young people or young families. Question by Paulien H. I myself now go to Ridderkerk because there is no decent social housing in Rotterdam. Question by Ingrid de W. Because of the long waiting lists for rental housing and absurdly high room prices, it seems that they will have to continue living at home for years to come. Buying a house is not possible for them. What can and will you do to offer these young Rotterdammers a prospect of housing?

Mayor Aboutaleb replies to the above questions on housing: The common view in the Netherlands is that the safest neighbourhoods are those with a mixed, stable composition. In other words, people with varying incomes and different ages. The skin colour and origin of people is unimportant. This preserves the local middle class, and ensures the best quality of life. People living in these neighbourhoods who do better financially tend to move to another neighbourhood or area.

The previous and current City Council developed plans to combat this tendency: demolition and new construction, joining smaller homes to create larger ones, or building on empty spaces.

The housing created in this way includes a variety of cheaper and more expensive homes, intended for diverse residents. The City Council approved these plans, so it was a democratic decision. The judge also ruled in favour of the City. Residents in neighbourhoods subject to demolition and new construction are obviously confronted with the necessity to relocate. The housing association provides a different home that reflects what they can afford, possibly with the help of housing allowance.

These residents are entitled to a relocation allowance to cover the costs. Some can also take advantage of the new and improved housing to return to their old quarter.

Question by Tessa B. I grew up there but now, as a woman, I am afraid to walk there on my own.