Knoflook has been located on the Havendijk in Den Bosch for almost 20 years. The building was purchased in 2001 by project developer Cornelis Huygens and was squatted in 2006 after years of vacancy and decay. Since then, Knoflook has provided space for residents, artists, starting bands and musicians, a vegan kitchen, a giveaway shop, information evenings, action groups and numerous youth initiatives.
Together we are the Knoflook!
The owner has filed a lawsuit against the residents for eviction, which would take place on December 4. An asbestos study was recently carried out. The owner now suddenly requests Knoflook and the residents to leave the building immediately and at impossibly short notice (before Tuesday, November 11). This is even before the court case. The Knoflook has started a campaign for the preservation of a free space in Den Bosch and against vacancy.
We claim our place in the city. Knoflook remains!
In the area of the Tramkade and Knoflook, pieces of land and buildings have been bought for 30 years by Edison Vastgoed BV, which is part of Cornelis Huygens. All this time, there was speculation with land and locations, which led to vacancy. Knoflook has breathed life into the building on Havendijk since 2006 and made it habitable.
After decades of speculation and vacancy, the owner now wants to prepare for the redevelopment of expensive homes and unclear plans in which the current users of the area are not or hardly included. The Bossche Stadsdelta is a gentrification project. Original residents and initiatives in the area, including Knoflook, are forced to leave. And this, while there is not yet a validated building permit and on the zoning. For the building and its immediate surroundings, the plans are not final. The KwikFit, which is under the same roof as the Knoflook, is still open, and other immediate neighbors keep their living and working space and contracts. After an eviction, the building will remain empty and unused, and if demolished, it could remain intact for a long time. Despite an adopted motion to preserve small initiatives such as Knoflook, there is still no prospect from the municipality of a concrete plan for preserving the place or alternative space for Knoflook.
Den Bosch has long waiting lists for social housing. Many young people and home seekers have had to wait for more than 10 years and are therefore forced to live temporarily, insecure or too expensive or are homeless. Yet many buildings are empty. Squatting was and still is a solution to vacancy and housing shortage. Various groups of residents have lived, refurbished and used the building on the Havendijk since 2006.
Knoflook is a home for many young people in the city and in the neighborhood and an affordable home for various groups of residents. In Den Bosch, there is little room for such initiatives. Through solidarity, self-organization, and the initiative of hundreds of volunteers, we have created free and communal space for initiatives that otherwise would not have had space.
We deserve a place in our city!
Residents and users of the Havendijk and Knoflook demand from Edison Vastgoed B.V., Cornelis Huygens and the Municipality of Den Bosch
1. Keep Knoflook. The municipality of Den Bosch must continue to offer space for such iniatives.
2. Stop eviction for vacancy! Many initiatives in Knoflook have been using the spaces for 20 years. Discuss how these spaces can continue to be used sustainably.
3. Provides housing security for the residents of the Havendijk. Stop acute eviction and prevent homelessness.
Do you want to support Knoflook?
Come on Tuesday 11 November from 09:00 to Knoflook, Havendijk 3 in Den Bosch. Support us and show that Knoflook must be preserved. Be welcome for a cup of coffee and a bowl of soup.
Share this post. Let us know that you are in solidarity with Knoflook.
If you have any questions, please contact us or drop by.
Knoflook
Havendijk 3
5211 VC Den Bosch, Netherlands
info [at] knoflookblijft [dot] nl
https://knoflookblijft.nl/
https://radar.squat.net/nl/knoflookblijft
Squatting assistance, advisory service for squatters in the Netherlands: https://radar.squat.net/en/groups/topic/spreekuur-ksu
Some squats in the Netherlands: https://radar.squat.net/en/groups/country/NL/squated/squat
Groups (social center, collective, squat) in the Netherlands: https://radar.squat.net/en/groups/country/NL
Events in the Netherlands: https://radar.squat.net/en/events/country/NL
