Municipality of Hillegom invests more in future-proof management of public spaces

The way our public spaces are used has changed dramatically in recent years. While roads, pavements and underground infrastructure were relatively lightly burdened in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, we now face more people, increased traffic movements and heavier vehicles. In addition, the energy transition, housing construction and changing lifestyles are playing an increasingly important role.

At the same time, the quality of public spaces has been under pressure for years. Many roads, bridges and sewer systems are nearing the end of their service life. These developments call for a different approach to management and maintenance: no longer waiting until something breaks down, but anticipating, planning in good time and investing at the right moment. This way, we can prevent unexpected costs, limit inconvenience for residents and reduce risks to safety and liveability. To organise this properly and in a future-proof way, the municipality needs to be strengthened.

Deputy Maarten Dijkshoorn: “A future-proof outdoor space requires more than just underground work. We need to tackle challenges holistically, taking into account both the changing climate and the quality of life of our residents. By working smartly together and thinking ahead, we are building an outdoor space that not only works today, but also stands strong tomorrow.”

Various projects completed in Hillegom

In recent years, several projects have been carried out in Hillegom that contribute to a better and more future-proof living environment. For example, various parks have been upgraded, improving both their layout and social safety. In addition, the main street has been renovated, enhancing the area's appeal and accessibility. Park Rozendaal in Hillegom has been completely redesigned in recent years to make the area greener, more accessible, climate-resilient and pedestrian-friendly. The redesign is based on a new design developed in collaboration with residents and experts.

While these projects are valuable steps forward, they often remain isolated, ad-hoc initiatives. The next step is to take a more proactive and integrated approach to public spaces. For example, the redevelopment of Elsbroek Oost is now underway. This approach considers above-ground and underground challenges – such as mobility, climate adaptation, greenery, water, cables and pipelines – in an integrated manner. This ensures greater efficiency, less inconvenience for residents and a future-proof layout of the living environment.

End of service life

Public spaces often look neat and tidy at first glance, but technically, there is much more at play. Underground, sewer pipes, cables and pipelines are hidden, and bridges have complex structures. We want roads without flying stones and bumps. This means that maintenance and replacement will be necessary in the coming years to prevent problems. Inspections confirm this. Increasingly, more is needed to guarantee the condition of public spaces, and in some cases, it turns out that the technical service life can no longer be extended. To carry out this work carefully, efficiently and with as little inconvenience as possible, a well-thought-out plan is essential.

What does this mean for the future?

This strengthening is urgently needed because the challenges in management and maintenance have increased significantly in recent years. The growing maintenance backlog, combined with ageing infrastructure and more complex social challenges, means that current capacity is no longer sufficient.

To truly take the step towards proactive and future-oriented management, the team needs sufficient staff and expertise. This means we need to:

• better map out service life, risks and replacement moments;
• develop multi-year plans for each component of public spaces (roads, bridges, greenery, sewerage, lighting);
• plan and prioritise more effectively so that available resources are used more efficiently;
• manage in a future-proof way, tailored to challenges such as climate adaptation, water management and biodiversity.

Without structural expansion, management will inevitably remain reactive, backlogs will continue to grow and risks to liveability and safety will increase. That is why a structural strengthening of the team has been chosen, which will stop the current decline, gradually reduce backlogs and enable the transition to future-oriented management.

Joint decision for structural strengthening

Various scenarios were examined to determine the required strengthening. Only a structural expansion of 14.1 fte proved realistic and feasible. Less expansion would mean that the current decline in public spaces would continue and risks would increase. A larger expansion is financially unfeasible within the resources of the three municipalities. The chosen scale provides sufficient capacity to get the basics in order, reduce backlogs and actually achieve the transition to future-oriented management.

Decision-making in municipal councils

The proposal for this structural expansion will be submitted to the municipal councils of the three municipalities for decision-making. However, this strengthening is not about additional ambitions, but about creating the minimum conditions required to properly carry out existing tasks and to work with multi-year plans per asset (per component of public spaces).

Since the HLTsamen work organisation and the management team work for three municipalities simultaneously, it is important that all municipalities make the same choice. Different decision variants would lead to inefficiency and organisational bottlenecks. After three years, an evaluation will take place to determine whether further expansion is necessary or desirable.