‘This could be the best student neighbourhood in the Netherlands’

 Ray is already waiting when a woman in jogging bottoms and flip-flops opens the door. He’s grinning from ear to ear and holding a basket full of shiny apples. “I’m giving away free apples – would you like one?”

The woman hesitates for a moment and then takes a large red one. Who would say no to a free apple? The surprise is written all over her face: people don’t often ring your doorbell here at Science Park, let alone give something away for free. “I'm standing here for a reason, as you can imagine,” Ray answers her question before she even asks it. “I’m running for the municipal council, and I’d like to know what I can do for you.”

It’s no coincidence that Ray Polman (25) can reel off this spiel without a hitch. He’s done it about a thousand times already. He wants to speak to everyone living at Utrecht Science Park during his campaign. That's 3,300 students, spread across 2,000 households. He’s been at it since 18 January, and this is taking up all his free time. “I hardly see my friends and family, except when they come along to help.”

Even Doorn has more things to do than Science Park

What drives this young politician, number 18 on the GroenLinks-PvdA list? “Everyone knows things could be better here. This could be the best student neighbourhood in the Netherlands.” Ray moved to the Johanna building a few years ago to study Philosophy, Politics & Economics, after spending his childhood in Doorn. “Utrecht was always the city I went to when I wanted to have fun. But then I moved to Science Park, and there weren't many things to do. Even Doorn has more going on.”
 

Nothing to do on Sundays.

According to him, the lack of amenities makes life at Utrecht Science Park not only boring but also unhealthy. “Residents of the Science Park have the poorest mental health in Utrecht, even though the people are young and highly educated, and the rooms are lovely. It’s all about social interaction: students at IBB live in slums, but have the time of their lives.”

His argument is backed up by figures. A recent survey carried out by data scientist and Science Park resident Nene Merit Aguzien reveals that one in eight residents feels lonely, only 30 per cent spontaneously join in with social activities in the neighbourhood, and the average length of stay is less than two years.

Why don't we have more outdoor seating areas and green spaces?

Driven by a desire to avoid studying and a sense of frustration, Ray joined the residents’ committee of his block of flats. His first plan – to watch the Eurovision Song Contest together – fell through because he couldn't book a venue for the evening, but he has since managed to organise a speed-dating event and arrange for additional picnic benches and barbecues, recycling bins, the redevelopment of Coïmbraplein and, soon, a community centre. “That direct influence gave me the push I needed. I’m already working on this full-time, so I might as well try to make it my job.”

To give his campaign a boost, he took a radical decision: to ring every doorbell, armed with apples (red and green, his party’s colours) to explain his plans and listen to their needs. That's thirty-seven sessions of two hours on average, on top of his regular campaign work in other parts of the city.

What did he learn? Many residents actually want the same thing. “Nine out of ten just want a decent supermarket.” But it’s the ideas of that other ten per cent that stick in the mind, like an autistic man who is severely affected by noise pollution. This man led Ray to an important realisation: “I want more buzz, but not everyone likes that.”

The conversations also made for several funny moments, often involving half-drunk students in bathrobes. “I was offered a shot three times and invited inside five times.” He once pitched his idea perfectly only to be told: “That’s all well and good, but we live in Haarlem.”

Fortunately, most students give him the time to explain all his plans in detail. Ray doesn’t even consider a new supermarket to be the most important goal. As we stroll past closed restaurants on Sunday, he points to the pavements on either side of the rainbow cycle path. “It looks as if no one lives here at all. Why aren’t there more terraces and green spaces here?” He then points to the tram tracks, where trams don't run on weekends, except when FC Utrecht plays. "That doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

One of the main things the residents want is a “proper” supermarket.

Will Ray be joining the municipal council?

On this sunny Sunday afternoon, many doors remain closed. Ray carefully notes down the names of those who aren’t home on a clipboard; he’ll pop round again later. In his own block, Johanna, he has to walk halfway down the corridor before someone opens the door. Wearing white socks and sporting a slight Brabant accent, resident Eva says the neighbourhood could be “a bit less grim”. She would be particularly happy with better lighting on the cycle paths. Ray jumps straight in. “Yes! I was actually thinking of light art featuring flowers and people.” Eva nods. Ray has her vote, she says.

But it remains to be seen whether Ray will be able to put his ideas forward on the council. The final results will be announced on 26 March. Although it is already clear that his party, GroenLinks-PvdA, has won and is expected to secure 14 seats, Ray was in 18th place on the list. He could gain a seat on the council through preferential votes, for which he needs 900. He could also secure a seat if party colleagues who currently hold seats move on to become aldermen. Ray remains level-headed. “If I don’t get the seat, I can at least pass on exactly what every local resident wants. And I’ll continue to work for De Uithof in any case.”

Ray on Coimbraplein, where the community centre is to be built.