New Stadshavens district in Groningen one step closer
News item, Area and Property Development
The plans for Stadshavens, the new district around the Eemskanaal between Damsterdiep and Sontweg, have been worked out in more detail. The new development will provide a total of 3,300 new homes, 33,000m2 of commercial and social amenities and a large ‘Port Park’. The Damsterdiep and the quays along the Eems Canal will be renewed and transformed into green spaces. A new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians will be built over the Eemskanaal. The plans have now been translated into a preliminary environmental plan (formerly a zoning plan) and an environmental impact report. The documents will be available for public comments from Thursday 16 February to Wednesday 29 March.
“Stadshavens will be a neighbourhood like no other in Groningen. Metropolitan, unconventional, green and for everyone. The monumental buildings, such as EMG and the Cova chimney, will be surrounded by modern nature-inclusive architecture. The area will undergo a major metamorphosis. We have laid down the framework for this in the preliminary environmental plan. The public can now provide input on it,” says alderman for housing Rik van Niejenhuis.
Preliminary environmental plan and environmental impact report
The preliminary environmental plan is the first of its kind in the municipality of Groningen. This document details the maximum number of houses that can be built, the approach to cultural heritage, and the permitted building heights, among other specifics. The environmental impact report sets out the possible environmental impacts of the development of Stadhavens. Some of the findings are that the development of Stadshavens will make the area climate-proof and add a lot of green space and water, but that it will also increase the traffic volume in the surrounding road network that is already busy.
Information centre and weekly consultation hours
Input on the preliminary environmental plan and environmental impact report can be submitted until Wednesday 29 March. The documents are available on the website gemeente.groningen.nl/bestemmingsplannen and on stadshavens.nl. The Stadshavens project office is located at Damsterdiep 271. Every Wednesday afternoon between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. the office is open for walk-in consultations.
Audio tour and informative walk
For those curious about the past and future of Stadshavens, an audio tour has been created. The audio tour takes participants to eleven locations within the plan area of Stadshavens. The audio tour is self-guided. On stadshavens.nl you will find all the details.
On Saturday 11 March between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Stadshavens project organisation will be organising an informative walk. Staff will be present at the audio tour route to answer all your questions.
About Stadhavens.
The municipality of Groningen, developers VanWonen, VolkerWessels Vastgoed and BPD|Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling, and housing associations Lefier and Nijestee have signed a partnership agreement for the joint development of 2,400 homes and 30,000 m2 of business space for commercial and social amenities in Stadshavens. Of these homes, 360 will be social housing and 240 mid-priced rental housing. This does not include the Certe site and the Safety Region and Police location. These will be developed in due course. In total, there will be up to 3,300 homes and 33,000m2 of business space for commercial and social amenities in Stadshavens. The environmental impact report is based on these figures.
