Four sites selected for ambitious Work Landscapes of the Future program
Four business parks in Drenthe are among the first in the Netherlands to be prepared as inspiring workplaces for the future. Leeuwerikenveld in Coevorden has been chosen by the selection committee of Work Landscapes of the Future as an Ambassador Site: a business park where innovations are applied and which can serve as a model location for the rest of the Netherlands. Bargermeer in Emmen, Stadsbedrijvenpark in Assen, and Blankenstein in Meppel participate in the program as Partner Sites.
Deputy Willemien Meeuwissen: “I am proud that Leeuwerikenveld in Coevorden has been chosen as Drenthe’s Ambassador Site for Work Landscapes of the Future. And the other three candidates? They won’t go home empty-handed: as Partner Sites, we will also build a work landscape of the future with them. With healthy, sustainable workplaces where companies can grow and people enjoy working. With strong cooperation between entrepreneurs, government, and knowledge institutions.”
Drenthe has about 115 business parks, where about one-third of the province’s employment is located. Many of these sites are heavily paved and therefore vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This can lead to damage to buildings and roads. Moreover, they are often unattractive work environments with little greenery.
Leeuwerikenveld
Leeuwerikenveld business park responds positively to the appointment: “From Ondernemend Coevorden, we are very pleased with the appreciation for our plan to make Leeuwerikenveld future-proof,” says Jankees Klapwijk. “With the knowledge and support of the Work Landscapes of the Future program, we can take a good step towards realization.”
Model for the new normal
The national Work Landscapes of the Future program has an ambitious goal: by 2032, at least one thousand business parks in the Netherlands will be actively engaged in sustainability. This involves cooperation with provinces, municipalities, water boards, companies, entrepreneurs’ associations, business parks, and other stakeholders.
In South Holland, Utrecht, North Brabant, and Gelderland, ambassador sites have already started. “With the participation of four sites, Drenthe shows that the province is part of this transition to future-proof workplaces,” says Daphne Teeling, program coordinator of Work Landscapes of the Future. “We will discover together what these look like. What are the examples for the new normal? Very important for the sustainable earning capacity of the Netherlands. Prosperity seems self-evident, but it is not. We must continue to invest in a strong economy and living environment so that the Netherlands remains attractive to live and do business in.”
For more information about Work Landscapes of the Future, visit this website. (refers to another website) Through this website, other Drenthe municipalities can also nominate a partner site for Work Landscapes of the Future.
