Who are the people who study and work at TU Delft? We meet them in Humans of TU Delft where they talk about their work or other activities. For assistant-professor Leon Hombergen, there’s more to life than just watching out for himself. As a city council candidate for PvdA, he believes in the value of taking care of the community.
Leon Hombergen is pictured here in Agnetapark, the site of some interesting local history. (Photo: Heather Montague)
“I’m a part-time assistant professor in construction management and I actually studied here at TU Delft. When I was 18 I moved here from Maastricht. My other job is at the Rijkswaterstaat, that’s the government agency that takes care of the highways and the main water system. I love being closely connected to the big projects, but I also love to educate people, to be near science at the university.
My main involvement in politics is for the water management board of Delfland which has something to do with civil engineering. I’m also connected to things at the municipality of Delft and at the moment I’m on the council commission for traffic and the built environment.
Sometimes I think the rough side of capitalism is coming back
I wanted to meet here in Agnetapark because of its history in relation to Delft. It was founded by the owner of the yeast factory here, Mr. van Marken. He studied chemistry here in Delft and then he founded the factory. He also founded the glue factory close to the university, now known as Lijm & Cultuur. He really was an industrialist, but he also cared for the people who worked for him. He built all these houses around the park for his employees and for that time the houses were of a really good quality.
Besides that he also took care of things like elderly people and education. That for me is quite inspiring. He had a business, but he also took care of his environment. Capitalism is part of our society, but you have to do more than that. Sometimes I think the rough side of capitalism is coming back and that’s part of what motivates me to be involved with PvdA.
The philosophy of our party involves a lot of social aspects, like taking care of the community that you live in. We focus on affordable housing opportunities for all people in Delft, and on good and accessible education for all children in Delft. It’s not only about your own development, your own career and employment and taking care of yourself, but also looking at those around you and the city you live in.”
This Humans is part of an election series on TU Delft students and employees who are active in local politics. Local elections are held on March 21st. Also read about students Timo Tӧns, Michelle Corten, Stijn de Vreede en Vincent van Roon, who are also running for city council.
Do you want to be featured in Humans of TU Delft? Or do you know someone with a good story to tell? Send us an e-mail at humansoftudelft@gmail.com!
Heather Montague / Freelance writer
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