The Province of Zuid Holland

    
     
   
   

 

  

City of Leiden
www.pzh.nl

 

    
   

Make a connection

Network city is not a geographically defined area. The interests and power of cities, municipalities and regions are intermingled. This might cause bureaucratic problems on one hand but create opportunities on the other. Different areas and people can learn a lot from each other.

In such a situation it is important to have a supporting and facilitating party on a regional level. The provincial government of South Holland has the overview necessary to link projects and people and they can help providing the right conditions for bottom up, interactive planning.

 

    
     

A water and forest region

In order to prevent the regions of The Hague and Rotterdam to grow together the province has started the “Groenblauwe Slinger” (Green-Blue Meander) project. This region – that lies within a busy part of the ‘Randstad’ (urban agglomeration of Western Holland) – has ample open space.

It serves to preserve a good balance between the city and the country, as well as to increase the relationship between the existing greenbelts. For this purpose the quality of the project area needs to be increased. This will bring about sufficient recreation, water storage, agriculture, and nature; in order to provide birds, fish, flora, and people with a habitat which has an abundance of natural elements. The national government, city regions, municipalities, district water boards, lobbies, and individuals work closely together in order to turn this area into a vital, green-blue lifeline.

 

    
     

Better accessibility within the network city

The ‘Rijn Gouwe’ line is the connection between ‘het Groene Hart’ (Holland’s Green Heart) and the south wing of the ‘Randstad’. This public transportation line is the solution to the increasing demand for regional mobility. This line increases the relation between and the accessibility of the network city. Stops will be placed at junctions and within the inner city. In 2010 approximately 78,000 travellers are expected on a daily basis.

 

    
     

Improvement of knowledge economy within the network city

For the development of the network city a better knowledge economy is essential. The province has developed a number of strategies in order to promote this knowledge economy.

  • Reinforce the corporate innovatory qualities within the network city. Linking of knowledge infrastructure to the regional economy;

  • Increase the commitment of higher educated individuals to their region;

  • More knowledge-related activity within the network city;

  • Improve professional training;

  • Form a platform for knowledge infrastructure in order to support mutual synchronisation and to increase effectiveness.
     

    
     

Improvement of social connections within the network city

The province is actively involved in the repositioning of districts within the network city.

Making this happen on a district level:

  • Invest as a district in the repositioning of the district (project money);

  • Contribute to the increase of the basis for implementation (process money);

  • Exchange experiences between workers.

Conceptualisation of relations between the district/city/region

  • Indicate market effects (housing market);

  • Functionality of investments in quality improvement

  • Reinforce involvement of parties (governmental, making it a legal matter, polder model)
     

    
     

A case: Leiden North

In Leiden North the area around the Kooi square has been appointed to be the new, yet to be developed, heart of the district. The Willem de Zwijger lane, an important artery, provides accessibility between the Kooi square and the district, city, and region. The province is closely involved in these developments and is looking into the possibilities for upgrading the ambitions of the district to the level of provincial policy and Regional Planning. In this process the province promotes very concrete, local developments. The position of the province and its transformation from evaluator to service provider offers major possibilities for bringing about the network in the district, city, and region and for increasing the importance of large-scale concepts.

In order to improve the ambience of the square existing provisions are being extended and new functions are added. The objective is to integrate these functions instead of merely having them work separately and simultaneously only. This will yield a surplus value and right will be done by the cultural diversity of the district.

 

    
     

Intensify care provision

In order to obtain a dazzling district centre the intensity, integration, and diversity conditions must be met. Therefore, living within the district centre will have to be integrated in the centre area. Furthermore, the nursing home in the vicinity of the square and other care providers will fill an active care provision function within the district.
 

    
     

Expand the mall

The current amount of stores within the mall needs expansion. Moreover, the stores need more cultural diversity. In other words: more facilities for starting entrepreneurs of an ethnic background are needed.

 

    
     

Development of Multifunctional School

Apart from providing primary education the school has facilities for sheltering students prior to and following classes, a library, sport activities, and a community centre.

 

    
     

Building a tunnel

The Willem de Zwijger lane runs straight across Leiden North. It is a busy artery that divides the district in two sections. An underground tunnel at this location would be the perfect solution for connecting the nursing home, the athletic fields, and the “Noorderpark” district park with one another and with the Kooi square.

Integration of mosque and accompanying store within the neighbourhood

Encourage beginning entrepreneurs with various cultural backgrounds.

The neighbourhood residents would like a district police station to be set up at the Kooi square. Moreover, they want the network to offer room to the soccer team’s clubhouse.