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The Den Bosch COVID19 Summer Programme
Published on 12 November 2020

Netherlands
Noord-Brabant
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Due to the Covid19 pandemic all cultural summer festivals 2020 were cancelled.
The Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch, the inhabitants and local entrepreneurs and associations in the hospitality industry, retail, cultural sector, sports and neighbourhood activities together with entertainment agencies, technical producers, audio-visual companies, and tribunal builders managed to achieve a successful Covid19 proof cultural summer programme.
Terraces were laid out over the waters and the Zuiderpark was transformed into a picnic paradise, on the Pettelaarse Schans there was a Ferris wheel where it was possible to have a safe lunch, drink or dine with menus from a wide variety of catering establishments. All performances in the Summer Theatre in Scala were sold out within an hour. A complete fair was set up near the Brabanthallen, which was also accessible by water taxi from the city centre and cycling and walking tours were organised along local cafés. A rooftop bar was set up on the roof of the city car park and at the Tramkade we organised 'Costa del Silo' with a programme for young people every evening.
With so many different venues created, every entrepreneur from 's-Hertogenbosch has had the opportunity to plug-in on the survival concept and thus be able to get to work and make a turnover.
The Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch, the inhabitants and local entrepreneurs and associations in the hospitality industry, retail, cultural sector, sports and neighbourhood activities together with entertainment agencies, technical producers, audio-visual companies, and tribunal builders managed to achieve a successful Covid19 proof cultural summer programme.
Terraces were laid out over the waters and the Zuiderpark was transformed into a picnic paradise, on the Pettelaarse Schans there was a Ferris wheel where it was possible to have a safe lunch, drink or dine with menus from a wide variety of catering establishments. All performances in the Summer Theatre in Scala were sold out within an hour. A complete fair was set up near the Brabanthallen, which was also accessible by water taxi from the city centre and cycling and walking tours were organised along local cafés. A rooftop bar was set up on the roof of the city car park and at the Tramkade we organised 'Costa del Silo' with a programme for young people every evening.
With so many different venues created, every entrepreneur from 's-Hertogenbosch has had the opportunity to plug-in on the survival concept and thus be able to get to work and make a turnover.
Expert opinion
The new reality imposed by the pandemic requires widespread and unprecedented efforts by European public authorities and economic operators alike to mitigate the negative effects of the health crisis, including on tourism and leisure. At the same time the coronavirus has clearly exposed the unsustainability of mass events and the need to step up the efforts for strengthening alternatives as a way to quickly respond and adapt to the crisis. This good practice indicates that the mobilization of SMEs, associations and the cultural sector is fundamental for keeping the local tourism economy afloat in Covid-19 times. It can be a source of inspiration for municipalities that might have the possibility to organize cultural events in compliance with health and safety protocols against the virus in the next months.
Resources needed
€300.000 funded by the Municipality for external programme management and costs for taking physical measures in the city to comply with the new rules regarding Social Distancing. Other temporary investment costs were covered by entrepreneurs from the city.
Evidence of success
The Den Bosch Summer Programme was rated overall with an 8.7 (out of 10) and 96% of the visitors made use of the various catering establishments.
Local entrepreneurs and politicians are looking into the possibilities to host The Den Bosch Autumn and even Winter programme. As Covid19 measures are still necessary, stakeholders are eager to continue the concept of an outdoor cultural programme. That is the best compliment the team of the Summer programme could get.
Local entrepreneurs and politicians are looking into the possibilities to host The Den Bosch Autumn and even Winter programme. As Covid19 measures are still necessary, stakeholders are eager to continue the concept of an outdoor cultural programme. That is the best compliment the team of the Summer programme could get.
Potential for learning or transfer
1. Covid19-proof organisation of cultural events.
2. Organise the cultural events in residential areas to reach inhabitants that normally do not visit cultural events; improve sense of neighbourhood.
3. Organising cultural events don’t need 3 year planning; when there’s a common goal, regulations officials and entrepreneurs can come up with practical and safe solutions together without filling out dozens of permits.
2. Organise the cultural events in residential areas to reach inhabitants that normally do not visit cultural events; improve sense of neighbourhood.
3. Organising cultural events don’t need 3 year planning; when there’s a common goal, regulations officials and entrepreneurs can come up with practical and safe solutions together without filling out dozens of permits.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch

Netherlands
Noord-Brabant