by THOLEditor | Nov 10, 2026 | News
Residents, business owners and other local stakeholders are helping shape new plans for Hobbemaplein, as The Hague municipality begins a fresh approach to redesigning the busy square near the Haagse Markt.
At meetings on 29 October and 3 November at community centre De Mussen, participants shared their experiences and concerns with the municipal project team and mobility alderman Adeel Mahmood. No new design has been drawn up yet: the municipality says it wants to understand local priorities before making decisions.
Safety, access and local businesses
Discussions focused on four themes: safety and accessibility, housing and public space, the market and local businesses, and opportunities for people to meet in the neighbourhood. Participants reviewed findings from earlier consultations and added their own perspectives.
The municipality says it has already held more than 700 conversations on the street, consulted entrepreneurs and collected responses through online questionnaires. Road safety emerged as a recurring concern, alongside the need to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and to listen carefully to residents and traders.
Access to surrounding neighbourhoods and the Haagse Markt, an important economic centre for the area, must be maintained. Existing traffic directions will remain unchanged.
Mahmood said the process begins with listening carefully, including to critical questions and competing wishes. He emphasised the importance of Hobbemaplein to people who live, work and shop in the area.
What happens next?
The two meetings mark the end of the first consultation phase. The municipality will now bring together the feedback before discussing the choices, competing interests and potential consequences with those involved. This will inform an initial design, which residents will have another opportunity to comment on.
The redevelopment aims to make Hobbemaplein safer, more pleasant and more accessible while retaining its role as a shopping and business area. The municipal council has allocated more than €8.5 million to the project.
For project information and opportunities to participate, visit the municipality’s Hobbemaplein project page.
Photo: Stakeholders discuss the future of Hobbemaplein at community centre De Mussen. Image supplied by Gemeente Den Haag
by THOLEditor | Nov 9, 2026 | News
A new solar carport at Het Hofbad is generating electricity for the swimming pool while keeping the existing parking spaces available. The municipality announced the official opening on 9 November.
The roof above the two central rows of the car park contains 624 solar panels. According to the council, these can provide around 20 per cent of the pool’s total electricity consumption.
Electricity generated on site is used directly by Het Hofbad, reducing the amount drawn from the grid. Drivers also gain shelter from the weather, and charging facilities could be added in future.
The structure uses sustainably produced timber. The outer parking rows remain uncovered, following consideration of the site’s open character and comments from the surrounding area.
The municipality presents the project as a way to combine renewable energy with efficient use of limited urban space. No parking spaces were removed for the installation.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag, press release/update dated 09/11/2026.
Photo: Gemeente Den Haag.
by THOLEditor | Nov 9, 2026 | News
The Hague wants to continue Niemand langs de kant, a regional project that brings education advisers into employment-support teams. More than 600 residents in Haaglanden and Rijnmond have received advice during the past year and a half, the municipality says.
The partnership links Werkcentrum Haaglanden, Werkcentrum Rijnmond, ROC Mondriaan and Zadkine. Advisers help people understand which course, qualification or next career step may improve their position in the labour market.
The service is intended for people looking for work as well as those already employed who want to develop further. Its approach brings education and employment advice together rather than leaving residents to navigate the two separately.
The proposed extension would support around 1,200 more working people and jobseekers during 2027, 2028 and 2029. The municipality says €1.4 million is needed and has requested a €700,000 contribution from the Rotterdam-The Hague metropolitan partnership.
The funding request is a proposal, not confirmation that the full extension has been financed.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag, press release/update dated 09/11/2026.
by THOLEditor | Nov 8, 2026 | News
The Hague’s municipal executive wants to relocate two coffeeshops from the Weimarstraat area and Zeeheldenkwartier to reduce their concentration in residential neighbourhoods.
Three possible sites are under consideration: two in the Forepark business district and the N-kavel near the Rotterdamsebaan on the boundary with Rijswijk. The aim is to identify no more than two suitable locations.
A previous idea to move coffeeshop Galaxy to the Jaap Edenweg near De Uithof has been dropped. The municipality says a coffeeshop would not fit its ambitions for the area’s sport, recreation and leisure functions.
No final locations have been chosen. Further work will examine planning, access, parking, costs and legal feasibility, alongside discussions with landowners, businesses and other parties.
The council says consultation with nearby residents and other stakeholders will follow once the feasibility of potential sites is clearer. The proposal is about relocating existing businesses, not announcing approved new premises.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag, press release/update dated 06/11/2026.
by THOLEditor | Nov 8, 2026 | News
A new neighbourhood hub at Leyweg 940J brings together students, local businesses and the municipality to support a safer and more welcoming shopping area.
Samen Leyweg opened on 5 November. The partnership involves ROC Mondriaan’s Order and Safety programme, the Leyweg business investment zone and municipal teams working on the local economy and housing.
From Tuesday to Friday, students use the premises as their base while working in the shopping district. Wearing recognisable yellow vests, they patrol in coordination with the business association.
The site is also intended to have a broader role. In evenings and at weekends it can accommodate initiatives such as the Ondernemersschool and other projects contributing to the development of the Leyweg and surrounding neighbourhood.
The municipality describes the hub as an investment in both the shopping street and the people who use it, combining practical experience for students with support for local entrepreneurs.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag, press release/update dated 06/11/2026.
Photo: Michel Maas / gemeente Den Haag.
by THOLEditor | Nov 7, 2026 | News
A city gift card is putting the spotlight on independent shopping and local spending in The Hague. According to the municipality, the Den Haag Cadeaukaart can be used at more than 60 participating shops, specialist businesses and hospitality venues across the city.
The idea is to keep spending within the local economy while giving recipients a choice of where to use their gift. It may also offer inspiration for residents looking for a locally focused present as the festive season approaches.
In its 6 November announcement, the municipality said economic affairs alderman Richard de Mos is due to receive the first card at Hop & Stork in the Passage on 10 November. The event was intended to draw attention to the participating entrepreneurs and the role of local shopping.
Before buying a card, check the current list of participating businesses, validity period and spending conditions. Not every business in The Hague is part of the scheme.
Check participating shops and hospitality venues (in Dutch)
Source: Gemeente Den Haag, press release/update dated 06/11/2026.
