Development vision Beemster allotment, Beemster, NL
Development policy and rules for the Beemster Erf.
Agricultural patterns are changing. Farmers who are ceasing business (33%), farmers diversifying (33%) and large scale farmers farmers (33%) , new homes, new businesses ……….. although the Beemster polder may be a UNESCO heritage site, it is not locked down for new developments and transformations. Despite being highly protected, this area is developing rapidly. How can we streamline these changes in such a way that they run smoothly without losing sight of the qualities of the Beemster? For example: are the regulations well designed and are procedures clear for the enterprising Beemsterling ?
REDscape analyzed these transformations and concluded that the focus of these changes was very much within the Beemster allotment. We made strategic spatial and planning recommendations in which the Beemster qualities were the guiding principle. There were extensive discussions with about twenty interviews, of course at the kitchen table. The residents were asked about their experiences in the allotment in the recent past and the plans. Their frankness may be praised! The results of these interviews have been thoroughly analyzed and a number of trends quickly became visible. The Beemsterling, for example, is very proud of their polder and wants to develop the allotment in a qualitative way. But the complex procedures that are required for this always remain difficult with new initiatives. The current zoning plan is also outdated, which means that procedures sometimes unnecessarily take up a lot of time.
REDscape and Gert van Eikeren worked in close collaboration with the municipality of Beemster to create this vision. The vision steers the planning of new developments on the allotments and provides spatial guidelines. The municipality can anticipate future developments while maintaining the specific character of the Beemster farm allotment. The trends were translated into spatial recommendations in consultation. These recommendations were used by the municipality as input when drawing up the new Zoning Plan for Rural Areas which was finalized in 2009. Finally, REDscape called for the farm allotments to be approached as a current design assignment. History is not always something in the past, ultimately it needs to break new ground and be current. The Beemster allotment is a living monument!
Our ambition has been achieved and we are proud of the result. Landscape Noord Holland has applied the approach of REDscape to other agricultural areas elsewhere in Noord Holland. With this, the ambition of Bureau des Beemsters has also been achieved, namely, to serve as an example project for inspiration for a wider application in North Holland.
Client: Gemeente Beemster.
Team REDscape: Patrick Mc Cabe in collaboration with Gert Van Eikeren (urban planner).
Status: Completed
Project area: 72 km²