Community spirit Sterrenwijk, known by locals as ’t wijk, is one of Utrecht’s smallest neighbourhoods. It originally consisted of 375 temporary white houses, erected post-1918. They were meant to last for 25 years, but due to the immense housing shortage after World War II, the houses remained and became increasingly dilapidated. According to former Sterrenwijkers, this didn’t dampen the community spirit. In 1976, the white houses were demolished. The population became more diverse, which obviously affected the character of the neighbourhood. In the old days, the street was an extension of people’s living rooms, whereas nowadays, people seldom bump into each other outside. In collaboration with Het Utrechts Archief (The Utrecht Archives). Visit them at Hamburgerstraat 38. More info on hetutrechtsarchief.nl/english