Heerlen opts for smart, social and sustainable land and property policy
The Municipality of Heerlen has a new Land and Property Policy. Instead of dealing passively with land, Heerlen now takes an active approach that helps with housing development, sustainability and equal opportunities. The new policy enables better development of the city with attention to livable neighborhoods, sustainability and nature. The municipality chooses the best role for each situation: sometimes the municipality develops itself, sometimes it helps other parties to achieve important goals. The city council has yet to approve the proposal.
Alderman Gelderblom (Housing, Environment, Grounds and Real Estate) is enthusiastic about the new policy:
"Land politics is back in Heerlen! We are taking more control of our land and properties. This allows us to actively direct housing development that contributes to the city's balance and prosperity. This strengthens our community. For example, consider housing in vulnerable neighborhoods or cheaper housing in affluent neighborhoods. We also take a more active approach to our real estate to support great community initiatives. Sustainability and nature-friendliness are central to this. This policy offers us new means to make Heerlen greener, more social and more resilient."
Housing acceleration with social impact
To achieve the goals, the municipality must be able to actively manage housing construction that is fast and of good quality. The new policy offers concrete opportunities for developers, such as discounts of 15% if projects contribute to a balanced social composition in the neighborhood. Other instruments are right of first refusal, parcel exchange and strategic expropriation. For each project, the approach that best contributes to municipal goals is considered. Cooperation with developers ranges from regular reviews to public-private partnerships that create social added value.
Sustainable, circular and nature-inclusive
In addition to housing, sustainability plays an important role in the new policy. Land and properties are used to enhance nature and combat climate change. Biodiversity, such as breeding seasons and protected animal species, is taken into account in land planning. Nature-friendly and circular construction methods are preferred to minimize environmental impact and build as sustainably as possible.
Clear agreements for fair cooperation
The new policy provides clarity for everyone involved. Clear land prices make it clear to everyone where they stand, from developers to residents who want to add a piece of greenery to their garden. We also make clear demands on our partners: developers with sufficient resources can be asked to contribute financially to the improvement of the living environment. These clear agreements provide a solid basis for further developing Heerlen into an inclusive, green and livable city.