Perhaps you know the saying “having solid ground under your feet”. You know what you are leaning on and are in a good position. This proverb applies to a component in my portfolio that I have not yet written about in this blog: ‘ground’.
Not very exciting at first glance, but I find that the opposite is true. Greening the city, or using a job bus to combat energy poverty, is very concrete and visible. That does not seem to be the case with land policy, yet I think it is an essential basis for the spatial development of our city.
After all, the jump in scale that Eindhoven is undergoing and the many area developments require a clear direction of our (under)ground. We do not leave everything to the market. We, therefore, pursue a so-called directing land policy. Whether this involves facilitating projects of developers or housing corporations, or an active land policy for our own initiatives, we always opt for an appropriate degree of direction.
After all, our land ownership has become a scarce commodity. We, therefore, consider it essential to maintain and expand strategic land positions. This gives us a grip on future developments such as resale or for the housing program.
Actively purchasing land in our neighborhoods and districts can also enable (re)developments. This can be building land to create affordable housing, or for social facilities such as schools or shelters. And very specifically, for the preservation or development of green space. We want to add value for the city and its residents.
A few examples: the imposition of Wet Voorkeursrecht Gemeenten at KnoopXL. This means that the government has the first right to purchase. If an owner decides to sell, they must first offer the land to the local government and thus cannot enter the land market directly. The government decides whether or not to buy the land. Also, introducing ground lease at BIC to keep companies here. But I think my best example is the acquisition in 2022 of the De Wielewaal estate, for which I was allowed to be in charge. With the acquisition of this estate, we are preserving green for the city. I’m so happy that land is not only about building but also for a suitable living environment. Residents will enjoy this for years to come.
So before I feel the ground sinking beneath me, don’t get a leg up or get low to the ground; I will keep both feet on the ground and get grounded to make the best choices for Eindhoven, and also for the longer term.
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