Future-proofing business parks
With a vision, Heerlen wants to strengthen existing business parks, make them more sustainable and more attractive. Businesses in business parks are Heerlen's economic engine. In recent years, more and more companies and jobs have been added in Heerlen. The demand for business lots is expected to continue to grow and the available space is limited. Therefore, this vision provides direction to use the space in existing business parks more efficiently and deal strategically with expansions. We will present the vision business parks to the city council on April 16, 2025.
Martin de Beer Alderman economics):
"The entrepreneurs in our business parks account for over 14,500 jobs. These jobs provide €1.35 billion in benefits. With this vision we want to ensure the right framework conditions for our companies. We not only preserve jobs but also attract new companies and jobs. This fits within our growth ambitions".
Five pillars
With five pillars, we are working on the right preconditions for the business parks. They ensure that the economic attractiveness is maintained and the business parks remain future-proof.
1. Use existing space in business parks as best as possible
By ensuring that space can be used together more often on existing business parks. This can be done, for example, by building higher or looking at using parking spaces together.
2. Looking for space to expand existing business parks.
The demand for business space will increase in the coming years. This means we need to look at opportunities to expand existing business parks.
3. Provide business parks with a clear profile
In order to land the right companies in the right place, all business parks are classified into one of four profiles: industrial, medical logistics, regular (various infill with mainly SMEs) or mixed (e.g. combination of retail, offices and company housing).
4. Work on future-proofing and transitions
To make real estate more sustainable, energy transition and good accessibility, entrepreneurs, property owners and the municipality are working together.
5. High level of organization in business parks.
Business parks that have a business collective are more future-proof. Cooperation and coordination are then easier. In the Heerlen business parks, the degree of organization is already in good order.