What will The Hague look like in 25 years? The city is growing and the pressure on available space is increasing. How do we ensure that residents of The Hague can live, reside, work, learn and recreate here? By taking control of spatial development, the character of the city can remain typically The Hague. That is what the city council is doing with the Environmental Vision At home in a green metropolis by the sea .
Alderman Van Asten: “Space and money are scarce, not everything fits and not everything fits everywhere. But with this we show that it is possible. This future sketch focuses on the beautiful aspects of The Hague, but certainly also on the challenges and the board does not shy away from making choices. In this way, together with residents, we are building a city that is ready for the future and where residents of The Hague can feel at home.”
More than just spatial development
The challenges go beyond choices in the area of spatial development. The city is dealing with major transitions such as climate adaptation, mobility or the switch to sustainable energy. Social issues also play a role on the way to the future: the division between rich and poor, the mismatch between supply and demand for jobs and the affordability of housing. In order to give substance to this, strategic choices in the environmental vision are linked to five movements, these movements provide direction for the elaboration per subject and per area. This allows the city to grow in balance, at a pace that suits the city. It is important to manage labour migration properly. The city government approaches the task for The Hague as part of a coherent region: the Hague metropolis.
The five movements:
1. At home in a diverse The Hague
What spatial choices are needed to ensure that current and future residents can feel at home? Think of combating segregation or the distribution of social facilities.
2. Space for greenery and water
What choices does the municipality make to green the city for people and animals in order to respond to climate change?
3. Urbanization and accessibility in conjunction
Where in the city and region can urbanisation take place, linked to an accessibility approach in which pedestrians, public transport and cyclists are given priority.
4. Space for knowledge and skills
What spatial choices are needed for education and employment (knowledge-intensive and practical) to keep the Hague metropolis economically vital?
5. Basic systems in order
The city cannot function without a sustainable energy system, robust coastal defenses or a good drinking water supply.
What does that mean in concrete terms? Van Asten: “That we build for young people so that they can leave their parents’ attic and take their lives out of pause mode. That a new park in De Binckhorst becomes just as precious as the Zuiderpark or that neighborhoods are safe enough for children to play on the street.”
Story for and by the city
Many residents of The Hague have contributed to the creation of this vision. More than 3,000 conversations have been held with residents and entrepreneurs. Through conversations, webinars, surveys, exhibitions and meetings in which theatre makers or designers were also involved. The common thread for residents of The Hague was the importance of connectedness between people, health and safety. They want green meeting places and that everyone can participate. Young people are concerned about the shortage of housing and would like to see a city where it is lively and where things are happening. This vision does not provide ready-made answers, but it does provide a course. That course is also a starting point and an invitation for further discussion.
From law to implementation project
Drawing up an environmental vision is a legal obligation under the Environmental Act that came into effect on 1 January 2024. The strategic choices and policy lines in this vision are further elaborated by the board in area visions per city district and in programs. These are then translated into an environmental plan – with legally binding rules for the design of the physical living environment – and then into concrete implementation projects.
The Draft Environmental Vision will be available for inspection from 27 January to 9 March 2025 (in Dutch)
https://denhaag.raadsinformatie.nl/modules/13/Overige%2520bestuurlijke%2520stukken/1010260
Image: The Hague Online.