Current developments and projects

Strategy 1: Strengthening the Daily Urban System

Objective:

To ensure that the main locations are accessible within 45 minutes.
The basic condition for an internationally competitive top region is that access is easy both within the region and between the region and the rest of the world. This is what we are working on. The High Speed Train, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Schiphol Airport, as well as various motorways and railway lines, connect the Metropolitan region with other areas.

In the region we want to make sure that the main amenities can be accessed faster. Regionally we are working on the extension of the metro and light rail networks and other forms of high quality public transport, while improving the infrastructure for cars and bicycles and ensuring its better use.

Better connections between home and work enhance the existing daily urban system. That in turn makes for a dynamic labor market which is beneficial to residents and entrepreneurs alike. Tourism, sports and cultural amenities all stand to gain from being easily accessible.

Spearheads:

strengthening public transport
strengthening the road network
mobility management and dynamic traffic management

Strategy 2: Strengthening the potential of the economy, knowledge and innovation

Objective:

A robust economic structure with strong international competitive businesses at the top and a broad entrepreneurial base.

Holland has traditionally always had close contacts with the rest of the world through its overseas trading activities. That international profile is apparent even today in the Metropolitan region. No wonder that local residents are famous for the languages they speak. The region’s powerful international sectors include Mainport Rotterdam, the Greenport horticultural sector and the concentration of international peace, justice and security institutions in The Hague.

The region also has numerous innovative clusters. Businesses, universities, national and local authorities are together promoting innovative developments. Notable examples are Medical Delta specialising in medical and life sciences technology, Clean Tech Delta for sustainability technology, Security Delta focusing on security technology and of course water and delta technology which has traditionally been one of the Netherlands great strengths.

These sectors attract plenty of investment. Not surprisingly, for the region offers a solid foundation of corporate knowhow and academic excellence. What’s more, an excellent match between the labor market and the education sector makes for a robust economic structure.

Spearheads:

a single, common profile to promote the region
strengthening the knowledge infrastructure
attractive office market and sufficient space on business sites
sustainable and innovative Greenport horticultural cluster
knowledge sharing in the field of education and the labor market

Strategy 3: Strengthening the standard of amenities

Objective:

A pleasant and sustainable residential, work and leisure climate for locals and expats and an attractive (re)location for businesses.

The Metropolitan region offers residents and businesses an extensive choice of amenities. The scale of the region ensures a concentration of the very best amenities for leisure, recreation, sport and culture while basic amenities can be found throughout the area.

Residents are increasingly making more use of the amenities throughout the entire region. Investing in greenery and a great variety of residential accommodations contributes to creating a pleasant climate for residents to live in and an attractive location for businesses. The region is working on these spatial challenges by means of cohesive plans and programmes, working together in close cooperation and where necessary through binding agreements. This strategy works.

Spearheads:

drawing up a goal-oriented and effective policy for spatial and economic planning
supporting priority area developments
programming housing locations and locations for business accommodations
ensuring a diverse choice of sustainable residential environments
bundling green ambitions in four ‘metropolitan’ landscapes: keeping greenery and the city always close together
integrating current investment funds