S. LIMBURG PROPERTY MONITOR
[BIZ/GOV: Maastricht, April 22] Jacob Meuwissen, the general manager of Limburg’s biggest project developer, 3W, put the shrinking population in a historical perspective and noted that this was also a European issue. One always had to be aware in this area of the German and Belgian border areas and there were important aspects such as housing, shops, business sites, offices, the care and the leisure industry that had to be considered in developing a complete picture of the area. The Chemelot science campus and industry in Sittard, administrative activities in Heerlen, and the various attractions in Parkstad, the knowledge and service sector in Maastricht, and new materials and new energy in South Limburg were important aspects of the economy and they provided the basis for property development. There was a lot of property in Limburg but often the wrong choices were made, which led to overcapacity. Choices for quality should be the basis of new South Limburg. The Belvédère project in Maastricht is a reflection of this and Sittard Revisited is too. Check the website for further information.
Professor Hans Kasper of Etil, the economic research unit at the University of Maastricht, presented up-to-date real estate figures for housing, offices, shops, and business parks, which can be seen at the link. There was a general concern expressed also by Leon van Halder, director general of housing at the ministry of housing districts and integration, who pointed to an ageing and shrinking population as the principal issue in the area. It is expected that after the summer holiday the second chamber of the Dutch parliament will be presenting a package of measures to meet this challenge. A top team has also been instituted who will look at the situation in Heerlen in the first place. The team will be led by Jan Mans and Hans Dijkstal.
http://www.vastgoedmonitorlimburg.nl/