Housing Projects
A municipality does not build itself. Developers do. But what does the municipality do?
If the municipality itself has land
- Can we build or live there?
Sometimes the municipality itself has land and is itself an initiator of housing development. From fields such as public housing, urban planning, environment, soil and greenery, employees look at whether there are possibilities to build houses. Sometimes this is not possible. For example, if a gas pipeline runs through the ground. Or if there is a company too close by that spreads odors. Then it is legally not allowed to build or live there. - Further research
If construction is allowed, the municipality does all kinds of research, such as flora and fauna and ecology. After all, residential construction may not disturb nature (breeding birds, protected animals) just like that. Archaeological research can also delay the process when valuable finds are made. Employees from different fields look again at what should be on the ground. How many houses can be built? And what kind of houses then? For what target groups? - Parking and Participation
There is much more involved in the construction of homes: just think about parking spaces, public green space and connection to public roads. The municipality consults with the province, the Wetterskip and the fire department about their requirements. When all (im)possibilities are known, residents can contribute ideas about the plans. We call this participation. - Deciding
This whole process can take quite a long time. Once there is a supported plan, it must be adopted by the board of mayor and aldermen and by the city council. There is room in this process for participation and objection from residents. Once the plans are finalized, it is time for implementation. The municipality does not build itself, but arranges, for example, the issuance of building lots. A contractor builds the homes.
If someone else has land
Sometimes a project developer or private individual has land on which he or she wishes to build housing. The municipality then gives such an initiator conditions and frameworks to ensure that the plan fits in well with the environment. Again, the municipality consults with the province, the Wetterskip and the fire department about their requirements. The submitter of the plans is told whether the ideas fit within the conditions and frameworks. And again, studies must be done. The developer is responsible for this. And also in this case, residents should be able to participate.
Lengthy process
This process can take a long time, sometimes even years. The municipality depends on the initiator finalizing the plans. If there is a supported plan, the same decision-making process as described earlier follows. In this case, it is up to the initiator to ensure that the homes are built.