From Pavement to Politics: Rethinking Urban Naming in Enschede

 On March 14, 2025, the city of Enschede, Netherlands, hosted the "Symposium Naamgeving Openbare Ruimte," a thought-provoking event that delved into the significance of street naming in shaping urban identity and public memory. Organized by the municipality of Enschede, the symposium brought together experts, municipal workers, and residents to explore how the names assigned to public spaces reflect cultural values, historical narratives, and societal changes.
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Keynote Address: The Power of Street Names

The symposium commenced with an inspiring keynote by Lonneke Groen, former member of the Amsterdam Street Name Committee. Groen emphasized that street names serve as concise stories, capable of inspiring and deepening residents' connections to their surroundings. She advocated for thoughtful selection processes that honor local history and cultural significance, citing examples like Enschede's textile-related street names and Kerkrade's homage to its coal mining heritage.​

Challenges and Community Engagement

A significant portion of the discussion addressed the challenges in street naming, particularly the avoidance of repetitive or generic names. Groen highlighted the importance of innovative thinking and community involvement in the naming process. Engaging residents not only fosters a sense of ownership but also ensures that the names resonate with the community's identity and values. The municipality of Franekeradeel's initiative to solicit public input for unique street names was presented as a successful model.​

Reflecting Societal Changes

The symposium also tackled the evolving nature of societal values and how they influence the perception of existing street names. Discussions centered on reassessing names associated with colonial figures or controversial historical events, emphasizing the need for names that align with contemporary values and promote inclusivity.​

Workshop Sessions: Deepening the Dialogue

Participants engaged in various workshops that delved deeper into specific aspects of street naming:​

• The Path to Overcoming Plant Blindness: Led by botanist Marco Roos, this session explored integrating urban biodiversity into street naming, advocating for names that reflect local flora and promote environmental awareness.​

• Inclusive Naming: Angélique Duijndam discussed addressing colonial history through street names, emphasizing the emotional and historical significance of such names and the importance of public understanding.​

• Women’s Names in Public Spaces: Onessa Kovak highlighted the underrepresentation of women in street naming and provided strategies for incorporating notable women from various fields into the urban landscape.​

• Citizen Participation in 2025: Willemijn Zwart facilitated discussions on effective methods for involving citizens in the street naming process, emphasizing transparency and efficiency.​

Embracing Linguistic Diversity

Adrie Hemmink from Museumfabriek in Enschede shared insights on incorporating regional languages and dialects into street naming. Utilizing local dialects not only preserves linguistic heritage but also strengthens community identity and ties residents to their cultural roots.​

Looking Ahead: Balancing Tradition and Innovation

The symposium concluded with reflections on the future of street naming. Speakers advocated for a balance between honoring historical significance and embracing contemporary values. Innovative and creative naming conventions were encouraged to make public spaces more engaging and reflective of the community's evolving identity.​

The "Naming the Streets, Shaping the City" symposium underscored the profound impact of street names beyond mere navigation aids. They are narratives woven into the urban fabric, telling stories of the past, reflecting present values, and shaping the identity of cities for future generations.​