Walcheren unveils three future growth scenarios for 2050 to secure livability
Residents of Walcheren face critical choices as local governments outline three development paths for 2050. The plans aim to safeguard jobs, healthcare, and quality of life amid an aging population and rising demand for housing and services.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipalities Involved | Middelburg, Vlissingen, Veere |
| Scenarios | 1. Current (+15,000 residents, +7,500 homes) |
| 2. Walcheren City (+30,000 residents, +15,000 homes) | |
| 3. Walcheren City XL (+60,000 residents, +30,000 homes) | |
| Key Challenges | Aging population, pressure on healthcare, education, and infrastructure |
| Focus Areas | Traffic, energy, space, nature, water, and basic amenities |
| Strategic Pillars | Education, cultural history, tourism, maritime cluster |
| Next Steps | Collaboration with Province, national government, and stakeholders |
The municipalities of Middelburg, Vlissingen, and Veere are responsible for local spatial planning, infrastructure, and public services in Walcheren. Their role includes ensuring sustainable development and maintaining quality of life for residents, which requires long-term vision and collaboration with higher government levels.
Read the full translated article below
Walcheren municipalities 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 highlight what is needed to maintain and strengthen the quality of the living environment. The research shows that sufficient employment is crucial in this regard. The findings are intended for the new municipal councils and executive boards to help them make 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 in 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, so we can maintain control over how our region develops. At the same time, it is essential to look ahead. As Walcheren ages further, facilities such as shops, healthcare and education will come under pressure. This is why development is 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, the maximum development (+60,000 residents and +30,000 homes). This translates the ambitions of Zeeland 2050 and the Province of Zeeland (+75,000 homes) to Walcheren. This is a highly ambitious vision requiring major choices in areas such as the economy, energy and space.
Purpose of the scenarios
The scenarios aim to illustrate what Walcheren could look like with little, significant or very substantial growth. For now, the focus is on inspiring and stimulating discussion, providing a foundation for further exploration. No definitive conclusions have been drawn yet, as we want to explore and develop these ideas 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 insights, much will change. We cannot continue doing everything as we do now—this is what we call a 'trend break'. This means we must organize things differently, for example:
- Rethinking traffic and transport;
- Expanding the energy system;
- Ensuring sufficient healthcare, education and other facilities;
- Using space more intelligently.
Basic amenities play a major role in this, including energy, mobility, nature (nitrogen) and water. These must be in order to make the future possible.
Remaining an attractive place to live and work
The goal is a high-quality living environment—a place where people enjoy living, working and visiting. Walcheren already has a strong foundation, and the research highlights the following key pillars:
- Education;
- (Cultural) history;
- Tourism and recreation;
- The maritime cluster.
These strengths will determine how Walcheren can develop further.
Working together on the future
The three Walcheren municipalities 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 Buildings Agency (CRa) is providing advice. Further collaboration will be necessary moving forward—not just between the municipalities, but also with the Province, national government and other partners.
What’s next?
Walcheren 2050 is part of Zeeland 2050, which examines how Zeeland can develop in the future. This research is the first step. The findings will help new municipal councils and executive boards make informed choices for the future.
In summary
Walcheren is looking ahead to 2050.
- The goal is a high-quality living environment, now and in the future;
- The municipalities are jointly taking the lead in Walcheren 2050 (as part of Zeeland 2050);
- Three possible development directions provide insight into what is needed;
- Development is necessary to maintain facilities. Employment is crucial;
- Even without additional growth, changes are needed;
- The basics must be in order;
- Walcheren builds on strong pillars such as education, (cultural) history, tourism and recreation, and the maritime cluster;
- Municipalities are working with the Province, national government and advisors.
With this research, the municipalities are preparing to make informed choices about the future of Walcheren.
Documents
- Appendix MUST Exploration Walcheren PDF, 21.7 MB
- Appendix Ecorys Walcheren 2050 PDF, 2.3 MB