Breda faces a divide: citizens of certain neighborhoods have more opportunities than those in others. Urban Living Lab challenged us, as students, to bring attention to this issue, using Explore Festival as a platform. Through our research, we explored the topic of opportunity inequality. This project was conducted during my minor at St. Joost School of Art & Design in collaboration with four fellow students. Het Rad van Onfortuin was showcased at the Chassé Theater, De Grote Kerk, and Nieuwe Veste as part of Explore Festival.

How can we encourage people of higher socio-economic status in Breda to be more aware and empathic toward people of lower socio-economic status?

To gain a deeper understanding of this topic, we engaged with several stakeholders during this study. One of these was Stichting Maatschappelijke Zorg (SMO). SMO is dedicated to supporting individuals at the bottom of the income ladder, helping those who have ended up on the streets due to various circumstances find a path back into society. These circumstances are often rooted in the lack of opportunities these individuals have had compared to others. Through SMO, we had the chance to connect with some of these individuals. These conversations touched us deeply and made us realize that these voices needed to be heard.