Walcheren municipalities plan for 2050: Three scenarios to shape the region's future
Residents of Walcheren face critical choices as local governments outline three future development scenarios. From maintaining current growth to ambitious expansion, these plans aim to secure jobs, housing, and essential services like healthcare and education for decades to come.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipalities Involved | Middelburg, Vlissingen, Veere |
| Scenarios Explored | 3 (Current development, Walcheren City, Walcheren City XL) |
| **Resident Increase (Scenario 1) | +15,000 residents, +7,500 homes |
| **Resident Increase (Scenario 2) | +30,000 residents, +15,000 homes |
| **Resident Increase (Scenario 3) | +60,000 residents, +30,000 homes |
| Key Focus Areas | Employment, healthcare, education, traffic, energy, spatial planning |
| Collaborating Authorities | Province of Zeeland, national government, Advisory Committee on Spatial Planning (CRa) |
| Documents | Appendix MUST exploration Walcheren, Appendix Ecorys Walcheren 2050 |
The municipalities of Middelburg, Vlissingen, and Veere are responsible for local governance, including spatial planning, infrastructure, and public services in Walcheren. Their collaboration with higher government bodies ensures regional development aligns with broader provincial and national strategies.
Read the full translated article below
Municipalities of Walcheren look ahead to Walcheren in 2050
The municipalities of Middelburg, Vlissingen, and Veere are collaborating on a shared vision for the future of Walcheren. How can we ensure that Walcheren remains a great place to live, work, and visit by 2050?
To achieve this, the municipalities have explored three possible directions. These scenarios highlight what is needed to maintain and strengthen the quality of the living environment. The research shows that sufficient employment opportunities are crucial in this regard. The findings are intended to guide the new municipal councils and executives in making informed decisions for the future.
Why this exploration?
Walcheren is part of Zeeland 2050, which examines how Zeeland can develop in the future. The three municipalities of Walcheren have chosen to take the lead in this process. After all, it concerns our immediate living environment—the Walcheren where we live, work, and thrive.
That is why we are tackling this together, ensuring we maintain control over how our region develops. At the same time, it is essential to look ahead. As Walcheren ages further, existing facilities such as shops, healthcare, and education will come under pressure.
This makes development necessary—not as an end in itself, but to keep Walcheren a strong and livable place for everyone who lives, works, or visits here.
Three directions for the future
The municipalities commissioned two agencies to explore three scenarios:
- Scenario 1 – Current development (+15,000 residents and +7,500 homes): We continue as currently planned.
- Scenario 2 – Walcheren City with additional development (+30,000 residents and +15,000 homes): Walcheren expands further with more homes and jobs.
- Scenario 3 – Walcheren City XL: Maximum development (+60,000 residents and +30,000 homes): This translates the ambitions of Zeeland 2050 and the Province of Zeeland (+75,000 homes) into a Walcheren context. This is a highly ambitious vision requiring major choices in areas such as economy, energy, and space.
The scenarios are designed to illustrate what Walcheren’s growth—whether minimal, significant, or substantial—could entail. The focus now is on inspiring discussion, sparking ideas, and providing some foundational insights. No definitive conclusions have been drawn yet, as these will be explored and developed further in collaboration with councils, residents, and stakeholders in the coming period.
What does this mean for Walcheren?
Even if Walcheren develops according to current projections, significant changes are inevitable. We cannot continue doing everything as we have in the past—this is what we call a "trend break." This means we must organize things differently, for example:
- Rethinking traffic and transportation
- Expanding the energy system
- Ensuring sufficient healthcare, education, and other facilities
- Using space more intelligently
Key infrastructure—such as energy, mobility, nature (nitrogen), and water—must be in order to make the future possible.
Remaining an attractive place to live and work
The goal is to create an appealing living environment—a place where people enjoy living, working, and visiting.
Walcheren already has a strong foundation, and the research highlights the following pillars as particularly important:
- Education
- (Cultural) heritage
- Tourism and recreation
- The maritime cluster
These strengths will shape Walcheren’s further development.
Working together on the future
The three municipalities of Walcheren are consciously collaborating. What happens in one municipality affects the others. Other authorities are also involved, including the Province and the national government. The Dutch Government’s Advisory Committee on Spatial Planning (CRa) is providing advice. Continued collaboration will be essential moving forward—not only between the municipalities but also with the Province, national government, and other partners.
What’s next?
Walcheren 2050 is part of Zeeland 2050, which explores how Zeeland can develop in the future. This research is just the first step. The findings will help new municipal councils and executives make informed choices for the future.
In summary
Walcheren is looking ahead to 2050.
- The goal is to maintain a high-quality living environment, now and in the future
- The municipalities are jointly taking the lead in shaping Walcheren 2050 (as part of Zeeland 2050)
- Three possible development directions provide insight into what is required
- Development is necessary to maintain essential facilities. Employment opportunities are critical.
- Even without additional growth, changes are needed
- The foundations must be solid
- Walcheren builds on strong pillars such as education, (cultural) heritage, tourism and recreation, and the maritime sector
- Municipalities are collaborating with the Province, national government, and advisors
With this research, the municipalities are preparing to make informed decisions about Walcheren’s future.
Walcheren 2050 documents
- Appendix MUST exploration Walcheren (PDF, 17.8 MB)
- Appendix Ecorys Walcheren 2050 (PDF, 1.7 MB)