Gerrit Rietveld Academie. Report Survey Housing and Safety

Transcription

1 Gerrit Rietveld Academie Report Survey Housing and Safety Den Dolder, August 2009 ir. Martine van Doornmalen

2 Copyright of this report rests solely by ADV Market Research (ADV). Reproduction of this report, or parts of it, by the customer is permitted for internal use only. No part of this report may be externally published in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the author (ADV). Furthermore, publication with permission is only allowed with the acknowledgement of ADV as source. A copy of the questionnaire used for this research is available on demand, for the customer only. 2

3 Index 1. Introduction.. p.4 2. Research characteristics.. p.5 3. Results... p Current situation housing..... p Whishes regarding to housing..... p Safety..... p Summary... p.17 3

4 1. Introduction At the moment the Rietveld Academie has a problem with its housing; there is not enough space to accommodate all the students in the proximity of the academy. Over the last couple of years the academy has grown from 750 students to 1000 students. This could have two implications; either the academy stays at its current location (with or without building an extension) or it has to find accommodation elsewhere. At the moment the Rietveld Academie is conducting a research for the possibility of moving to the former GAK building in Amsterdam s Bos en Lommer district. Regarding this research the academy would like to hear students' opinions about student housing and safety. 4

5 2. Research characteristics To create an overview about the opinions of the students of the Rietveld Academie 934 students were invited to participate in an online survey about housing and safety. The complete questionnaire can be found in appendix I. Between the 2 nd and 27 th of July 379 students participated in this survey (40% response rate). The average amount of time spent on a survey is slightly above 11 minutes. Table 2.1. Process characteristics Students Surveys completed 379 Average time on survey 11 min. 27 sec. Confidence interval 95% Maximum range 3,9% 5

6 3. Results This chapter describes the most important results of this survey. Where relevant, a distinction will be made between nationality, year of application and whether or not they have a place to live in Amsterdam. Table 3.1 describes the profile of the respondents. Table 3.1: Profile respondents Students Rietveld Academie Sex Man Woman % 63% Total % Nationality NL EU Outside EU % 30% 10% Total % Year of application or before % 26% 18% 24% Total % Bos en Lommer experience 1 Yes No Total % 87% 100% In this survey not all questions applied to every student. Routing was used to make sure respondents answered only the questions that applied to their personal situation. In this chapter, the number of students who answered that specific question is placed above every chart. 1 Students who live in Bos en Lommer or who have already used the former GAK building for study purposes 6

7 3.1 Current situation housing 80% of the students, who participated in this research, have a place to live in Amsterdam. 20% do not have a place to live in Amsterdam. First year students more often say that they do not have a place to live in Amsterdam at the moment but that they are looking for one (13%). 33% of the students who started in 2006 have a place to live in Amsterdam but are looking for a new place. This is more often than the other students. Most satisfied with their current housing are students who started in % have a place to live in Amsterdam and are not looking for a new place. Students from the Netherlands more often do not have a place to live in Amsterdam and are not looking (18%). vr01. Do you currently have a place to live in Amsterdam? Base= everybody (n=379) 13% 7% Yes and NOT looking 22% 58% Yes and looking No and NOT looking No and looking Approximately one in three respondents is looking for a (new) place to live in Amsterdam. One third of these students has been looking for more than six months, a quarter says to have been looking for less than one month. Half (50%) of the respondents, who do have a place to live in Amsterdam at the moment, already had a place to live when they started at the academy. These are mainly students from the Netherlands (58%). For one out of ten respondents it took more than six months to find a place to live in Amsterdam. For students outside the EU this percentage is even higher (27%). vr02a For how long have you been looking for a place to live? Base= looking for a place (n=108) vr02b How long did it take to find a place to live? Base= has a place to live (n=304 33% 27% Less than 1 month 1 to 3 months 16% 7% 10% 50% I already had a place to live Less than 1 month 1 to 3 months 4 to 6 months 4 to 6 months 13% 27% More than 6 months 17% More than 6 months 7

8 According to 63% of the respondents who did not have a place to live in Amsterdam when they started at the academy, the lack of housing did have a negative influence on their study process (to some degree). All the respondents from outside the EU experienced the lack of housing as a negative influence (100%). One third of the students did not experience the lack of housing as a negative influence. For students who do not have a place to live in Amsterdam, but who are not looking for one this percentage is even 63%. vr03 Did/do you experience the lack of housing as a negative influence on your study process? Base= no place at start study (n=227) 3% 33% 33% Yes To some degree No I don't know 30% Almost half of the students with a place to live in Amsterdam rent from a private owner. 30% chose the option others. Answers that are given here are Rochdale, Stadsgenoot, some students are squatting or bought their own house. vr04 Who are you renting from at the moment? Base= has a place to live (n=304) Private owner Ymere Duwo Lieve de Key Others 8% 4% 10% 30% 48% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 8

9 60% of the students, who do have a place to live in Amsterdam, can stay as long as they want in their current housing. 14% is only allowed to stay for less than six months. For students from outside the EU this is even 27%. Housing of the students can be found in various parts of Amsterdam. Most of the housing is situated in Amsterdam West (34%), Amsterdam Centre (25%) and Amsterdam South (18%). vr05 For how long can you stay in your current housing? Base= has a place to live (n=304) 60% 6% 8% 10% 18% For 3 months Between 3 and 6 months For 6 months or more Campus contract As long as I want 25% vr06 Where is your housing situated? Base= has a place to live (n=304) 3% 5% 34% 4% 18% 12% A'dam North A'dam South A'dam East A'dam West A'dam Centre A'dam South-East Outside A'dam 9

10 3.2 Whishes regarding to housing 45% of the respondents think that it should take between 20 and 30 minutes at the most to travel from their housing to the academy. A quarter believes 10 to 20 minutes is the maximum amount of travel time. 30 to 60 minutes is the maximum amount of time for 23%. Within the group of students who do not have a place to live and are not looking for one, 63% believe travelling to the academy can take more than 30 minutes. vr07 In your opinion, how long should it take to travel from your housing to the academy at the very most? Base= everybody (n=379) 3% 3% 23% 25% Less than 10 minutes 10 to 20 minutes 20 to 30 minutes 30 to 60 minutes More than 1 hour 45% The most important aspects regarding to housing are the price of the accommodation (85%), the size of the accommodation (70%) and the location of the accommodation (68%). Having you own facilities is (very) important to 64% of the respondents. 36% even believe this is very important. The time it takes to travel to the academy and the city centre are less important, but are still considered as (very) important by more than half of the respondents. The time it takes to travel to the academy is more important for students who do not have a place to live in Amsterdam and are looking for a place than for the other students. 69% of these students think this is very important. vr08 To what extent do you think the aspects below are important with regard to your housing? Base= everybody (n=379) Price of the accommodation 6% 4% 2% 28% 57% No opinion Size of the accommodation Location of the accommodation 5% 10% 6% 7% 14% 17% 46% 46% 24% 22% Very unimportant Unimportant Having your own facilities Safety in the neighborhood Time it takes to travel to the city centre Time it takes to travel to the academy 8% 7% 7% 8% 9% 12% 12% 13% 17% 20% 25% 27% 28% 37% 39% 39% 36% 21% 15% 12% Not unimportant, nor important Important Very important 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 10

11 45% of the students, who participated in this survey, think that the Rietveld Academie should be able to offer housing to their students. Most of these students are students who are looking for a place to live in Amsterdam and students from outside the EU. One third believes that offering housing to students is not something the Rietveld Academie should do. Almost a quarter does not have an opinion in this matter. vr09 Do you think the Rietveld Academie should be able to offer housing to students? Base= everybody (n=379) 23% 32% 45% Yes No I don't know 46% of the students who believe that the Rietveld Academie should offer housing to students think housing should be offered to all students. 20% believe only foreign students should be offered housing. Smaller groups believe housing should be offered only to starters (14%) and to students who travel more than hour (11%). According to 53% of the students who believe that the Rietveld Academie should offer housing to students the Rietveld Academie should offer housing for the whole study period. Three out of ten believe offering housing for the first year is enough. vr10 To who should the Rietveld Academie of f er housing? Base= Academy should of f er housing (n=170) vr11 For how long should the Rietveld Academie of f er housing? Base= Academy should offer housing (n=170) To all students Only to foreign students 46% 20% For the whole study period For the first year 30% 53% Only to starters To students who travel more than one hour 14% 11% For the first months Others 4% 6% Others 8% I don't know 6% 0% 50% 100% 0% 50% 100% 11

12 34% of the respondents feel comfortable about living with other students. This is about the same amount of respondents that feel uncomfortable (33%). The majority of the students (62%) who participated in this survey (strongly) disagrees with the statement I would like to live in close distance (within 100 meters) of the Academy. 12% (strongly) agree and would like to live in close distance. These students are mainly students from outside the EU (33%). vr12 To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Base= everybody (n=379) I feel comfortable about living among other students 5% 14% 19% 28% 26% 8% I would like to live in close distance (within 100 meters) of the academy 5% 32% 30% 21% 9% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% No opinion Strongly disagree Disagree Don't disagree, nor agree Agree Strongly agree Housing accommodation could also become available for students in the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer. 11% of the respondents would definitely make use of one of these accommodations, and a quarter perhaps would make use of the housing accommodation. 61% of the students are not likely to make use of one of the accommodations. Students who are looking for a place to live in Amsterdam more often would make use of the accommodations than students who are not looking for a place to live in Amsterdam. Also students from outside the EU and first year students are more positive about the possibility of making use of the accommodations in the GAK building in Bos en Lommer. vr13 How likely is it that you will make use of one of these accommodations? Base= everybody (n=379) 3% 25% 11% 41% Definitely not Probably not Perhaps Definitely yes No opinion 20% 12

13 Students that answered the survey had te possibility to explain why they (probably) would or would not want to make use of the accommodations. A few of these explanations can be found in table 3.2. These explanations are not representative for all students but are meant to get an impression of what was said. Table 3.2: Explanations making use of accommodation Probably or definitely yes Because I love the idea of a campus. It creates a stronger connection between the students I think and results in better Works It is very difficult to find a place by your own! At least the first year you should have a welcome house! think about people from Japan or Tibet!!! they don t know anything about our culture! the coming years is already ok...because you get use! The price is reasonable, and as an international students, it is really difficult to find a place. Probably or definitely not I believe it is important to have the possibility to get away from the whole academy atmosphere in your free time, hang out in different environments, mingle with different groups of people, and find some peace of mind in a place that conveys a maybe more personal context, different ideals or offers another range of experience. To me, the idea of being at home at the place you study would be a constriction. I don't think it's healthy to live at such a close distance of one's academy, furthermore I don't think it's healthy not being able to leave the 'bubble' of the academy (a.i. living with fellow students and therefore having to see you fellow students 24/7). I think it's important to have a life that is not only about school - I would always prefer to live with people I don't study with. I already have a nice apartment. 13

14 3.3 Safety Almost all of the respondents (96%) feel safe at the Rietveld Academie at the moment. 89% feels safe in the neighborhood they live in at the moment. The students who have experience with the district Bos en Lommer 2 (73%) feel less safe in the neighborhood they live in than other students (91%). vr15 To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Base= everybody (n=379) I feel safe in the neighborhood I live in at the moment 7% 36% 53% I feel safe at the Rietveld Academie location at the moment 2% 30% 66% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% No opinion Strongly disagree Disagree Don't disagree, nor agree Agree Strongly agree The majority of the respondents (56%) believes they would feel less safe (to some degree) at the former GAK building. For 43% of the responding students the perception about safety at the location of the academy would not change when the Rietveld Academie would move to the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer. Students who do not have experience with the district Bos en Lommer (60%) more often believe that they would feel less safe (to some degree) in Bos en Lommer than students who have experience with the district (31%). None of the students believe they would feel safer. vr16 When the Rietveld Academie would move to the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer, would your perception on safety at the location of the academy change? Base= everybody (n=379) 30% 26% 43% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Yes, I would feel less safe Yes, I would feel less safe to some degree No, I would feel just as safe Yes, I would feel safer to some degree Yes, I would feel much safer 2 Students who live in Bos en Lommer or who have already used the former GAK building for study purposes 14

15 57% of the students who would consider moving into the housing accommodation in the former GAK building would feel just as safe there as in their current living situation. 37% believes they would feel less safe (to some degree) when living at the former GAK building. 6% would feel safer (to some degree) there than in their current housing. vr17 When you would move into the student housing in the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer yourself, would your perception on safety of your own living situation change? Base= would (perhaps) move (n=136) 15% 22% 57% 6% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Yes, I would feel less safe Yes, I would feel less safe to some degree No, I would feel just as safe Yes, I would feel safer to some degree Yes, I would feel much safer According to the students who participated in this survey the topics that should play an important role in the decisions that have to be made regarding the current lack of space of the Rietveld Academie are quality (67%) and size (53%) of the building. Accessibility by public transport and the neighborhood/environment are mentioned by approximately a quarter of the students. Housing is more important for students who are looking for a place to live in Amsterdam and for students from outside the EU. For students who do not have experience with the district Bos en Lommer (13%) safety is considered a more important topic in the decision making for more space than for other students (2%). 31% of the students also mentioned other topics that should be considered. Among these topics were the quality of the education and the amount of students that should be enrolled each year. vr18 What do you think are the most important topic(s) that should be considered in the decision concerning more space for the Academy? Base= everybody (n=379) Quality of building (such as lighting, height, climate) Size of building in m2 in relation to number of students Accessibility by public transport Neighborhood/environment Air quality in and around the building Safety Housing Sustainability of the building Other 27% 24% 22% 12% 11% 9% 31% 53% 67% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% At the end of the survey students could give suggestions or remarks regarding this survey. A few of these comments can be found in table 3.3. The comments are not representative for all students but are meant to get an impression of what was said. 15

16 Table 3.3: Further comments regarding research Remarks and suggestions I support Rietveld in moving since it will solve the issue of space. I have the feeling that I have no space to work and am stuck in a cold basement all day. Of course the nostalgia of the Rietveld building makes me want to say let s move but still keep the old building, but know unfortunately that this is not an option. The current building is used with disrespect by the students and is far too small. I'm in DOGtime: we NEED more space. I would REALLY like to have workspace in the building. What I don't understand with all this GAK/Rietveld building fight, is that all over Europe, art schools have, most of the time, 2 or 3 buildings in different locations, sometimes more than 5 kilometers from each other. Why can't we keep the former Rietveld buildings and have this new GAK building for Fine Art and Basic Year, so they have the space they need. It seems so logical for me, I don't understand why it's not an option. I hope the new building has enough place for work. I strongly disagree for the moving to the GAK building. If there's enough space for students, I think the school have to decrease the number of students. The most important thing is to keep the quality of education. I don't think the moving of the building add any values to the quality of education. I think the Rietveld Academie should stay in the Rietveld Academie building, and less students should come in. The Rietveld should focus on the quality and organization of their education before considering further expansion. Help in finding house, rent subsidies and more security in housing is very important, foreign students like myself have had much trouble their whole study years which puts them often in trouble concerning their studies. I do not think you should move the Rietveld building, it is a historic landmark, it drives students to come because of the building, it is inspiring to work in! I think housing can be solved another way, such as exstudents working in a student office, and we should be able to have 24 hour access to the school! I lived in Bos en Lommer and it is not always safe, especially for girls. Telephone gets robbed out of your hand or you are pushed from the bike. The school closes late, do they really expect that it is safe for girls to be around in this neighborhood at that time when it is dark. I'm glad I don't have to go there because I'm graduated now. I think the most important is the last question because I think that the problem is the space not the safety or the accommodation. The quality of art students is more important than the quantity of art students. I think the quality will go down if the Gerrit Rietveld Academy moves to the GAK building. 16

17 4. Summary At the moment the Rietveld Academie has a problem with its housing; there is not enough space. Regarding a research the academy is conducting for the possibility of moving to the former GAK building in the Bos en Lommer district in Amsterdam, the academy would like to hear students' opinions about several subjects. All students were invited to participate in an online survey about housing and safety. 379 students participated in this survey (40%). 4.1 Current situation housing 80% of the students who participated in this research, have a place to live in Amsterdam. 20% do not have a place to live in Amsterdam. 60% of the students who do have a place to live in Amsterdam, can stay as long as they want in their current housing. Housing of the students can be found in various parts of Amsterdam. First year students more often say that they do not have a place to live in Amsterdam at the moment but that they are looking for one than older students. Older students are either looking for a better place to live or are satisfied with their current housing. Students from the Netherlands more often do not have a place to live in Amsterdam but say that they are not looking for one. Approximately one in three respondents is looking for a (new) place to live in Amsterdam. One third of these students has been looking for more than six months For students from outside the EU finding a place to live in Amsterdam takes longer than for the other students. Not having a place to live in Amsterdam can have a negative influence on the study process of students, especially for students from outside the EU. 4.2 Whishes regarding to housing Travelling from housing to the academy can take 10 to 30 minutes at the most for the majority of the students (70%). The most important aspects regarding to housing are the price of the accommodation (85%), the size of the accommodation (70%) and the location of the accommodation (68%). 45% of the students who participated in this survey, think that the Rietveld Academie should be able to offer housing to their students. Most students believe housing should be offered to all students (46%) and for the whole study period (53%). The amount of the respondents who feel comfortable about living with other students is about the same as the amount of respondents that feel uncomfortable (33%). The majority of the students (62%) who participated in this survey (strongly) disagrees with the statement I would like to live in close distance (within 100 meters) of the Academy. When housing would become available the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer. 36% would probably/definitely make use of one of these accommodations. 61% of the students are not likely to make use of one of the accommodations. 17

18 4.3 Safety Students who are looking for a place to live, students from outside the EU and first year students are more positive about the possibility of making use of the accommodations. Almost all of the respondents (96%) feel safe at the Rietveld Academie at the moment. 89% feel safe in the neighborhood they live in at the moment. 56% believe they would feel less safe (to some degree) at the former GAK building when the academy would move there. 43% would feel just as safe. 57% of the students who would consider moving into the housing accommodation in the former GAK building would feel just as safe there as in their current living situation. 37% believe they would feel less safe (to some degree) when living in the former GAK building. According to the students who participated in this survey the topics that should play an important role in the decisions that have to be made regarding the current lack of space of the Rietveld Academie are quality of the building (67%) and size of the building (53%). 18

19 Appendix I: Questionnaire housing and safety Rietveld Academie At the moment the Rietveld Academie has a problem with its housing; there isn't enough space. Over the last couple of years the academy has grown from 750 students to 1000 students. This could have two implications; either the academy has to build a new school or it has to find accommodation elsewhere. On the website is information about the Rietveld Academie s research for the possibility of moving to the former GAK building in the Bos en Lommer district in Amsterdam. Regarding this research the academy would like to hear students' opinions about several subjects. These subjects are: student housing and safety. 1. Do you currently have a place to live in Amsterdam? Yes, and I am not looking for a new place to live in Amsterdam Yes, but I am looking for a new place to live in Amsterdam No, but I am looking for a place to live in Amsterdam No, and I am not looking for a place to live in Amsterdam [Ask 2a IF 1= No, but looking for a place and Yes but looking] 2a. For how long have you been looking for a place to live? Less than 1 month 1 to 3 months 4 to 6 months More than 6 months [Ask 2b IF 1= Yes antwoord 1 en 2] 2b. How long did it take to find a place to live when you started at the Rietveld Academie? I already had a place to live when I started Less than 1 month 1 to 3 months 4 to 6 months More than 6 months [SKIP 3 IF 2b= I already had a place to live when I started] 3. Did you experience the lack of housing as a negative influence on your study process? Yes To some degree No I don t know [Ask 4, 5, 6 IF 1= Yes antwoord 1 en 2] 4. Who are you renting from at the moment? Private owner Ymere Duwo Lieve de Key Others, namely [open] 5. For how long can you stay in your current housing? For 3 months Between 3 and 6 months For 6 months or more Campus contract As long as I want 19

20 6. Where is your housing situated? Amsterdam North Amsterdam South Amsterdam East Amsterdam West Amsterdam Centre Amsterdam South-East Outside of Amsterdam, namely [open] 7. In your opinion, how long should it take to travel from your housing to the academy at the very most? Less than 10 minutes 10 to 20 minutes 20 to 30 minutes 30 to 60 minutes More than 1 hour 8. To what extent do you think the aspects below are important with regard to your housing? Very unimportant Unimportant Not unimportant, nor important Important Very important No opinion 1. Having your own facilities (own toilet, shower, kitchen) 2. Time it takes to travel to the academy 3. Time it takes to travel to the city centre 4. Price of the accommodation 5. Size of the accommodation 6. Safety in the neighborhood 7. Location of the accommodation 9. Do you think the Rietveld Academie should be able to offer housing to students? Yes No I don t know [Ask 10, 11 IF 9=Yes] 10. To who should the Rietveld Academie offer housing? To all students Only to foreign students Only to students who live more than one hour travelling from the academy Only to starters (first year students) Others, namely [open] 11. For how long should the Rietveld Academie offer housing? For the first months For the first year For the whole study period Others, namely [open] I don t know 20

21 12. To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Strongly disagree Disagree Don t disagree, nor agree Agree Strongly agree No opinion 1. I would like to live in close distance (within 100 meters) of the academy 2. I feel comfortable about living among other students Housing accommodation could also become available for students in the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer. It concerns housing accommodations of 30-35m² with their own facilities (kitchen, bathroom). There is also a possibility to apply for rent subsidy. The rent for students will range between 230 (with maximum rent subsidy) and 360 euro's (without rent subsidy). 13. How likely is it that you will make use of one of these accommodations? Definitely not Probably not Perhaps Definitely yes No opinion [Skip 14 IF 13 =no opinion] 14. Can you explain this? [Open] Furthermore we would like to ask you some questions about safety 15. To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Strongly disagree Disagree Don t disagree, nor agree Agree Strongly agree 1. I feel safe at the Rietveld Academie location at the moment. 2. I feel safe in the neighborhood I live in at the moment. 16. When the Rietveld Academie would move to the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer, would your perception on safety at the location of the academy change? Yes, I would feel less safe. Yes, I would feel less safe to some degree. No, I would feel just as safe. Yes, I would feel safer to some degree. Yes, I would feel much safer. [ASK 17 IF 13 perhaps or definitely yes] 17. When you would move into the student housing in the former GAK building in Bos en Lommer yourself, would your perception on safety of your own living situation change? Yes, I would feel less safe. Yes, I would feel less safe to some degree. No, I would feel just as safe. Yes, I would feel safer to some degree. Yes, I would feel much safer. 21

22 We have completed the questions about accommodation and safety. We would like to ask you one last question about your opinion on the topics that should play an important role in the decisions that have to be made regarding the current lack of space of the Rietveld Academie. 18. What do you think are the most important topic(s) that should be considered in the decision concerning more space for the Rietveld Academie? (Maximum of three answers) Housing Safety Size of the school building in m2 in relation to the number of students Quality of the school building (such as lighting, height, climate) Air quality in and around the building Sustainability of the building Neighborhood/environment Accessibility by public transport Other, namely [open] 19. Do you have any remarks or suggestions concerning this research? [Open] 22