A. (Anne) Mombarg, MSc
Research on basic services and livability in the Groningen countryside
What is the current state of basic services in the Groningen countryside, such as education, healthcare, and local shops? And what role do they play in the livability of these villages? Led by Tialda Haartsen, Professor of Rural Geography at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, this research aims to answer these questions. The findings will help the province determine what is needed to ensure equal access to services for all residents of Groningen.
The project, funded by the National Programme Groningen (NPG), runs from February 2026 through September 2028 and consists of two parts:
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Inventory: Mapping where and which services have disappeared over time.
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Dialogue: Engaging with village communities to discuss what they consider a necessary baseline of services and how they wish to shape this themselves.
The research looks beyond just practical functions by focusing on the social value of services. For example, schools that encourage children to join local sports or music clubs, or local business owners who sponsor community organizations. In this way, services reinforce each other and contribute to a thriving village life.