From the MuseumLab in Escamp to an inclusive playground in Ypenburg and a meeting place like Weimar’s Wijkpaleis in Segbroek: wonderful initiatives are emerging throughout The Hague that the city is proud of. In the Nieuw70 campaign, the Municipality of The Hague shares which initiatives from the various districts have made the city proud over the past two years.
The Hague is growing and neighborhoods are changing. This takes some getting used to at times, but it is precisely because of this that new ideas, encounters, and developments emerge. Residents, entrepreneurs, and organizations often take the initiative in this themselves. Nieuw70 collects and shares these new, pride-inspiring developments in The Hague.
Alderwoman Saskia Bruines (City Branding): “Where the city changes, new stories also emerge. Throughout The Hague, people are dedicating themselves to their neighborhoods. With Nieuw70, we show how much creativity and commitment exists in the city. These new initiatives add color to The Hague and connect people; as a city, we can be truly proud of that.”
Selection by district
Over the past few months, residents were able to submit initiatives they are proud of. For each district, we collaborated with an ambassador who is proud of a development in his or her district. Together with these ambassadors, the submissions were assessed on originality and impact on the neighborhood and the city. A selection was made based on this.
Visible in the city
Three initiatives have been selected per city district, 24 in total, which will be highlighted starting April 14. These stories will be featured on the platform for The Hague’s pride: BeHague. On the website, the social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), and in a traveling exhibition, Stadstrots, which will tour the city in July and August. Two initiatives will be put in the spotlight every week. Keep an eye on behague.com/nieuw70 and the social media channels.
—
Image caption: Residents of The Hague who are proud of recent developments in the city. From left to right, top bottom no.: Thrive Coffee House (Scheveningen), Weimar’s Wijkpaleis (Segbroek), the MuseumLab (Escamp), an Inclusive Playground (Leidschenveen-Ypenburg), GoedLaak (Laak), BuurThuis (Loosduinen), Bezuidenhout the Film (Haagse Hout), Mourning & Celebrating (City Centre)
The Joint Meeting (VV) of the Delfland Water Board has unanimously decided to make a draft budget of €3.6 million available for the further development of potential water storage facilities in the Klaas Engelbrechtspolder and the Woudse Polder. Delfland has chosen to develop both locations simultaneously in order to enable a comprehensive comparison between the two sites.
Water Board Member Manita Koop explains: “ With this decision, we are preparing for extreme rainfall. This is in line with our responsibility as a water board to ensure water safety in our area. This is important, because such an extreme downpour could fall as early as tomorrow.”
Following the debate held in the General Meeting, it has been decided to further develop the expansion of the existing water storage in the Woudse Polder. The final decision will follow after the designs have been fully elaborated in collaboration with all involved parties. In this elaboration, Delfland will examine in greater detail the technical and spatial integration for both locations, what this means for owners, users, and their operations, the relationship with other measures, and the costs.
Part of a broader approach
The development of a potential water storage facility in the Klaas Engelbrechtspolder and the Woudse Polder is part of a broader mix of measures. These include, among other things, additional (temporary) pumping station capacity, improvement of flow, water retention and infiltration, and local measures in urban areas and the greenhouse horticulture sector.
Follow-up process
With this decision, no final decision has yet been made regarding the construction of a water retention area. The results of the designs form the basis for a subsequent decision-making moment in the Joint Session. Landowners, local residents, municipalities, and other stakeholders will be actively involved in the further development. A transparent and careful approach is central to this process.
Water safety under increasing pressure
The Delfland water system is under pressure due to climate change and increasingly extreme rainfall. During heavy rainfall, the polder system cannot always immediately process large volumes of water, and there is a risk that our polder dikes will break uncontrollably or overflow. Water storage areas can help absorb peaks and keep water levels more manageable. Previous research shows that large-scale water storage in the center of Delfland can contribute to the safety of the polder dikes. This limits the risk of flooding and damage in Midden-Delfland and beyond.
Text & Images: Delfland Water Board. Translation to English: The Hague Online
During several large-scale enforcement operations in the city centre, at the Koningskermis and around The Hague Central Station, multiple fare evaders in public transport were fined, individuals were arrested for possession of drugs or weapons, and people experiencing homelessness and pitching tents were directed to support and shelter at the Binckhorstlaan. Youth causing disturbances were addressed and fined for misconduct. Teams from the police, municipality and other agencies carried out these joint checks on Friday 3 April, Saturday 4 April and Thursday 9 April to help keep the city centre pleasant and safe.
These integrated enforcement actions, including those at the station, aim to improve safety and liveability in the city centre. Municipal enforcement officers and police receive many reports of nuisance and feelings of insecurity. The area around the Malieveld, The Hague Central Station and the Koekamp forms a key gateway to the city. It is a highly dynamic area due to the combination of living, working and recreation. Large numbers of travellers use The Hague Central Station every day, while visitors and residents make intensive use of nearby facilities, hospitality venues and public spaces.
Koningskermis
Each year, the Koningskermis takes place on the Malieveld, this year from Friday 3 April to Monday 27 April, attracting many visitors to the centre of The Hague. The fair has taken several measures to ensure everything runs smoothly. Detection gates have been installed at the entrance and a strict entry policy is enforced by security staff. The fairground is also fully enclosed with fencing. Police have also deployed officers specifically for incidents in and around the fair.
During enforcement actions in the area around the fair on 3 and 4 April, special attention was given to youth groups, who often come from outside The Hague. Young people who misbehaved were addressed and a total of 34 fines were issued, five of which were under the Weapons and Ammunition Act. Knives and one knuckle-duster were found, including one case involving a 12-year-old boy attempting to hide the item in bushes. One arrest was also made after a young person ignored an order to leave following threatening behaviour.
Koekamp
With improving weather, people experiencing homelessness are also staying in the area around the station and the Koekamp, which can lead to nuisance. Sleeping in open park areas is not permitted. On the evening of 9 April, several people sleeping outdoors in tents at the Koekamp were approached and directed to the Shelter 070 night shelter at the Binckhorstlaan. This is a new facility for people sleeping rough in the city. Around the shelter, the municipality works with various organisations to provide support in areas such as appropriate care, including addiction support, housing, employment or return to the home country.
Traffic checks
Traffic checks are a standard part of these enforcement actions. On 9 April, police checked a total of 70 drivers and issued 30 fines, including for driving without a licence, driving with an expired licence, holding a phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt correctly. Three arrests were made for drugs and possession of a knuckle-duster. One driver received a driving ban after testing positive for drugs, and one licence was confiscated due to multiple outstanding fines.
During the traffic checks, unpaid taxes were also investigated. The national tax authority inspected 33 vehicles and identified a total debt of nearly €720,000. Of this, more than €28,000 was collected immediately and one vehicle was seized. The municipal tax authority seized twelve vehicles worth more than €53,000. Seven cars were clamped, one was towed away, and four payments were made on the spot totalling nearly €14,000.
Public transport
During enforcement operations on and around The Hague Central Station on 3 and 4 April, 75 trams and vehicles were checked by HTM, with additional checks by RET on the RandstadRail. In total, 149 fines were issued for travelling without a valid ticket. One arrest was made for failing to comply with an order, three fines were issued for smoking on the platform, and one fine for placing feet on a tram seat.
NS checked 61 trains. This resulted in 50 fines for fare evasion, five for cycling in the station, four for smoking, two for sleeping at the station, one for littering after throwing pancakes on a platform, and three under the Identification Act. In addition, eleven youth groups were addressed for nuisance behaviour at the station, and police assistance was requested six times in cases involving intoxication or individuals displaying confused behaviour.
On 9 April, HTM checked a further 104 trams in the city centre. A total of 134 fines were issued for fare evasion and eight under the Identification Act. One person was arrested for violating an area ban, and another was stopped after a pursuit. This individual received a total of €446 in fines for failing to show a ticket, violations of the Identification Act and obstructing staff.
Enforcement
Municipal enforcement officers also carried out checks by bike in the action areas. Around The Hague Central Station on 3 and 4 April, they issued 63 fines, including for violations related to soft drugs, alcohol and begging bans, identification offences, illegal parking, cycling on pavements and riding without lights. On 9 April, a further 39 fines were issued, mainly for soft drug, alcohol and begging violations, and one arrest was made under the Identification Act. In traffic, municipal enforcement officers issued 101 fines for offences including illegal parking, cycling while holding a phone and riding a moped in pedestrian areas.
Hospitality checks
On 9 April, police, fire services, Stedin and the municipality jointly inspected eleven hospitality venues in the city centre. Many will be rechecked soon. Three venues were operating terraces without permits, three lacked required fire extinguishing equipment, one had no emergency exit, and several had missing or inadequate grease separators. The social services department identified one case of suspected benefits fraud and one person working without a permit. Stedin issued a surcharge of €2,000 to €3,000 to one business, identified one broken seal and will carry out further calculations in a case involving a false meter seal.
Municipal Property Inspection Team
The Hague’s Municipal Property Inspection Team inspects the safety of buildings and housing in the city. On 9 April, checks in the city centre focused on illegal construction and unlawful occupancy. The team also enforced the Good Landlordship Act, which aims to prevent undesirable landlord behaviour. A total of 22 homes were inspected, with half showing evidence of unauthorised or illegal construction. In one property, rent was found to be excessively high at €3,300 per month. There was also a case of benefits fraud and overdue maintenance. In five cases, residents were registered but not living at the address, while in three cases people were living there without registration. Stedin identified two cases of fraud and disconnected the connections.
Integrated enforcement action in the city centre
Work is ongoing to improve liveability and safety in the city. Area-focused enforcement actions are regularly carried out in different neighbourhoods to address issues. This time, the focus was on the city centre. Various organisations and agencies worked together with the municipality to contribute to a safer and more liveable The Hague.
Report suspicious situations to the police via telephone number 112 (emergency) or 0900 – 8844 (non-emergency, but police). You can also report incidents completely anonymously via telephone number 0800 – 7000.
Text & Images: Gemeente Den Haag, Translation to English: The Hague Online
Den Haag, 9 april 2026.
IHA Centrum – Bureau Jan Hendrikstraat
ADO Den Haag has reached another important milestone with the driving of the first pile for the new training complex for the first men’s team in Zuiderpark. This marks the next step in fulfilling a long-held ambition, following the club’s return to the park in October last year. The symbolic start was carried out by general director Natascha van Grinsven-Admiraal, together with sports alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer, club icon Lex Schoenmaker and builder Giel Biersteker.
ADO Den Haag is a professional football club based in The Hague. After nearly three years of development, in close cooperation with all partners, the long-awaited goal of a future-proof training complex is now becoming a reality. ADO Den Haag is expected to move into the new facilities by the end of summer.
The complex, designed by architect Leila van Coeverden-Altena, combines a strong structural base with innovative design. It features a sustainable timber construction, a flexible and demountable setup, and high-quality façade materials, making the building largely rebuildable. This places it among the most sustainable training facilities in the Netherlands and creates a new landmark in Zuiderpark.
Eerste paal Zuiderpark
From August, players will be able to prepare for the new season, with ambitions focused on the Eredivisie. The complex includes a modern players’ area with a balcony and a training space with large glass façades overlooking the pitch, set within a warm interior of wooden beams and columns.
Sustainability plays a central role in the design. The building is largely self-sufficient: hot water is generated by solar collectors and electricity by solar panels. Rainwater is reused for toilets and washing machines, reducing drinking water use by around 60 percent.
General director Natascha van Grinsven-Admiraal said: “This is another special moment for our club. By driving the first pile, we are taking a major step towards realising a long-held ambition: our own, future-proof training complex for the first men’s team. This project is the result of nearly three years of intensive collaboration with all our partners, financiers and the municipality of The Hague, and shows where we want to go as a club. In Zuiderpark, on historic ground, we are building a sustainable and professional environment in which our players can develop and prepare for the Eredivisie.”
Giel Biersteker added: “As a proud ADO Den Haag supporter and the builder of this new training facility, this project is especially meaningful to me. On historic ground in Zuiderpark, the first team will finally have a complex that matches the club’s ambitions. With this modern and sustainable facility, we have done everything possible, together with our construction partners, to create a future-proof environment for players and staff. This building gives ADO Den Haag an important boost in its continued development.”
The nominations for the Haagse Parel entrepreneurship award have been announced. This award is presented annually to companies that make a special contribution to the Hague economy. In the Exceptional Contribution category, Apotheek Pillen & Praten, Eye Security, and Social Capital have been nominated. The nominees in the Sustainable Enterprise category are: Hubbel Stadslogistiek, Mammoet Oude Bouwmaterialen, and Seepje.
Exceptional contribution In the Exceptional Contribution category, Apotheek Pillen & Praten has been nominated, an innovative and committed pharmacy in The Hague that combines care with personal guidance and prevention. In addition to regular care, they offer support with quitting smoking, lifestyle programs, and initiatives against loneliness. The second contender is Eye Security, a fast-growing cybersecurity company. Using smart AI and the deployment of experts, threats are quickly detected and addressed so that systems continue to run securely. Finally, Social Capital is in the running for the The Hague Entrepreneur Award. Social Capital is a social staffing agency that helps people with a structural need for guidance find sustainable paid work in the hospitality industry. Through work-study placements, such as at Happy Tosti, employees develop their skills and transition to regular employers.
Sustainable enterprise In the Sustainable Enterprise category, three companies have also been nominated that stand a chance of winning a Haagse Parel. Hubbel Stadslogistiek makes transport in the city smart, green, and social. In their city hub on the outskirts of The Hague, they collect goods that they deliver by neighborhood. As a result, up to 80% fewer trips are needed in the city. The remaining trips are completely emission-free. The second nomination is for Mammoet Oude Bouwmaterialen, a family business specializing in authentic building materials. Original elements, primarily from 1930s homes, are given a second life with them. The final contender in this category is Seepje, a Hague-based soap maker with a clear mission: clean without mess. Instead of petroleum-based ingredients, they opt for natural, safer alternatives.
Public and jury votes The winner of the Haagse Parel 2026 will be determined by both the public and a professional jury. From Tuesday, April 7 to Thursday, May 7 at 12:00 PM, the public can vote via http://www.haagseparel.nl/ . Public votes account for 40% of the final result.
The remaining 60% is determined by the expert jury: Harry Wientjens (Economic Board The Hague), Karima el Bouchtaoui (VNO-NCW The Hague region), Pieter Scholten (MKB The Hague), Stefan Baecke (Yespers, winner Sustainable Enterprise 2025) and Daan Krijger (Nelis Company, winner Exceptional Contribution 2025).
Alderman for SMEs, Employment and Participation, Nur Icar: “This year, six wonderful companies have once again been nominated for the Haagse Parel. Entrepreneurs who are socially engaged or committed to a sustainable The Hague. And I think it is incredibly wonderful that they offer our residents opportunities in the labour market and thereby contribute to employment. I invite everyone to vote and help decide who wins the Haagse Parel!”
The Hague Inspires! The presentation of the Haagse Parel will take place during the entrepreneur event Den Haag Inspireert! on Friday, May 29, at the World Forum The Hague. Entrepreneurs who wish to attend can register for a free ticket.
Madurodam has introduced a number of updates across the park, including changes to the entrance area, renovated miniature city sections, and a new green space for visitors to enjoy.
One of the first things visitors will notice is a large Delft Blue clog placed in the water basin at the front of the park. The entrance area has also been refreshed as part of the latest updates.
During the winter months, maintenance and renovation work took place in several miniature areas, including sections representing Delft and Utrecht. According to Madurodam, foundations were renewed, buildings refurbished, and paving relaid to improve the appearance and upkeep of these parts of the park.
The miniature funfair has also been renovated and moved to a new location within Madurodam. Its attractions, including the miniature roller coaster, are once again in operation.
A new recreational area has also been created around one of the park’s large oak trees. This space is intended as a place where visitors can sit, relax, or have a picnic during their visit.
The updates are part of Madurodam’s ongoing efforts to refresh the visitor experience while continuing to showcase places, stories and landmarks from across the Netherlands in miniature form.
More information
Visitors can find more information, opening times and tickets via the Madurodam website.
