Roosendaal’s long-term goals are ambitious, but like many future-oriented plans, they risk staying abstract — disconnected from the everyday experiences of residents. That’s where the Carpet comes in.

Conceived by Humankind in collaboration with illustrator Rita Kruglova, the carpet is the translation of Roosendaal’s Visie 2024, the city’s strategic plan for urban development. The objective of the project was to translate the complexity of Roosendaal’s vision into something tangible, inviting, and easy to engage with.

The key areas of Roosendaal’s Visie were translated into highlighted elements within the overall design, such as neighborhood centres, a mobility hub and greenery, for example.

The result is a large-scale illustrated map — a conversation tool, a playful surface, and a boundary object that helps bridge perspectives.

The ultimate objective is for the carpet to be used as a tool for participation. Through visual storytelling and co-creative thinking, it makes it easier for citizens of all ages to explore, question, and contribute to the city’s future. It functions as a tangible interpretation of a (potentially shared) vision, allowing for different perspectives to come together and turning strategic thinking into a shared experience — one that’s grounded in place, yet open to imagination.

The next steps focus on putting this tool into practice: prototyping, testing, and refining the associated activities to create a full “plug and play” toolkit. This ensures the carpet can be actively used by facilitators, municipal staff, and residents themselves — creating a space where ideas can land, take root, and grow into real projects.