The Stichting Internationale Bouwtentoonstelling Rotterdam-Hoogvliet was set up almost simultaneously with the start of the large-scale restructuring of Hoogvliet in 2001. Its day-to-day management was in the hands of Felix Rottenberg and Crimson Architectural Historians, who operated together with the Stichting under the name of WiMBY! (Welcome into My Backyard!). This small, independent organisation was given the task of raising the large-scale restructuring of postwar Hoogvliet to a higher level by means of unrestricted research and development and of publicising it internationally.
Over the last six years WiMBY! has developed and implemented a series of varied projects on the basis of a creative analysis of Hoogvliet. In so doing, its underlying conviction was that the best and most inspiring basis for the future of this postwar town was to enhance, renew and make the best use of HoogvlietÕs existing characteristics and qualities, both physical and social. The projects WiMBY! undertook ranged from experimental buildings and small-scale projects to joint ventures in the fields of architecture, urban planning, education, art and socio-cultural projects.
In July 2007 WiMBY! brought its activities in Hoogvliet to a definitive close. The projects it initiated have either been completed or have been handed over for completion to the stakeholders at work in Hoogvliet, which include the local authorities, the Vestia and Woonbron housing corporations and Rotterdam city council. On 1st November 2007 WiMBY! closed its head office in the old Tramhuis and withdrew from Hoogvliet. For all information on WiMBY! we refer you to the Hoogvliet Vernieuwt Information Centre (010 231 0222) or info@wimby.nl.
The results and experiences of the six years WiMBY! spent in Hoogvliet have been thoroughly documented in two publications:
WiMBY! Hoogvliet Future, Past and Present of a New Town, NAi Publishers, ISBN: 978-90-5662-595-5, 34.50 euro. (English edition)
The publication WiMBY! Hoogvliet Future, Past and Present of a New Town contains the full story, the conclusions and the lessons drawn from the project, told both for professionals and the general reader. The book includes documentation of all the events, buildings and designs and reads like a fairytale (a sometimes rather gruesome one) that openly describes WiMBY!Õs many ups and downs, which we hope is both lively and instructive. Such deprived areas as Hoogvliet are currently the focus of political attention. Many dozens of districts suffer the problems that Hoogvliet has been able to solve over the last few years. This book is of importance to everyone interested in the present-day problem of deprived areas in the Netherlands.
Over Acupunctuur in Hoogvliet. De Lessen van WiMBY! 2001-2007. Can be ordered from info@wimby.nl, 15 euro (inc. p&p).
The booklet Over Acupunctuur in Hoogvliet. De Lessen van WiMBY! 2001-2007 looks back at the results of six years of unrestricted R&D in Hoogvliet. It is a record of several intensive conversations between Felix Rottenberg, WiMBY!Õs mandatory, and several leading players in Hoogvliet, ranging from political administrators and corporation directors to inhabitants. They have all in various ways been involved in the development and implementation of several WiMBY! projects. The book concludes with an epilogue by Felix Rottenberg in which he links together and analyses the results of these conversations and tries to define what lessons can actually be drawn from Hoogvliet after six years of involvement by WiMBY!, both wanted and unwanted.
WiMBY! Hoogvliet Future, Past and Present of a New Town, NAi Publishers, ISBN: 978-90-5662-595-5, 34.50 euro. (English edition)
Over Acupunctuur in Hoogvliet. De Lessen van WiMBY! 2001-2007. Can be ordered from 
