Stories of the Streets: An Oral History of Carnisse by its Residents (1953-2023)

This master's thesis explores the history of Carnisse, a neighborhood in the south of Rotterdam, from the perspective of its current inhabitants. To do so, it makes use of data collected during a series of 10 walking interviews with current residents of Carnisse, aiming to understand which places and stories residents perceived as most important to the neighborhood's history. Through qualitative thematic analysis, the study uncovered three major themes related to important locations: food/drink, public outdoor spaces, and cultural spaces. It was determined that residents valued places that served as social hubs, fostering connections and community engagement. The study also identified themes in the stories shared by participants, including transitions, (dis)connection to the neighborhood, and perceived gaps in the neighborhood's amenities. Although the small sample size of the project limits the conclusions of the research, it serves as a proof of concept for a new, participatory approach to engaging with Carnisse’s history. Furthermore, the results of the research are adapted into a proposal for a walking tour through Carnisse to help residents discover the offerings in their own neighborhood.