With this, the Province of Limburg marks its long-standing ambition to work together with municipalities, social partners, and residents to build strong, sustainable neighborhoods where everyone can participate.
“With the signing of the agreement for Geleen-Zuid, we conclude a unique series of eight collaborations and crown the work. These are not just paper agreements – these are joint promises for structural improvement. We show that as a province, together with our partners, we truly want to invest in the future of our neighborhoods and villages. For every Limburger, every family, and every neighbor,” said Deputy Marc van Caldenberg.
Main agreements about Geleen-Zuid
In Geleen Zuid, work has been ongoing for several years on the Luuj Make Gelaen Zuid program. This program for Geleen-Zuid is characterized by an integral approach aimed at realizing a healthy and safe neighborhood by 2030. This happens along five program lines: healthy growing up and staying healthy, safety through community spirit, perspective on work, independent aging, and a strong physical-spatial program. The partners – including the municipality of Sittard-Geleen, ZOwonen, MIK & PIW, Triade, Graaf Huyn College, Waterschap Limburg, the neighborhood platform, and the Province of Limburg – join forces and provide extra effort for these tasks.
Investing in people
Van Caldenberg is pleased with the agreement in Geleen. “Geleen-Zuid shows that social challenges and investments in public space go hand in hand. The agreements we make today are ambitious: together we ensure more connection, more safety, and more opportunities for work. We invest not only in buildings but especially in people.”
Foundation for security of existence
The deputy emphasizes the importance of all eight agreements: “Today is a festive moment, but above all a new start. Limburg is now actually taking steps to build strong neighborhoods together. This goes beyond stacking stones; it is about a society in which everyone matters. In Geleen-Zuid – and in all eight areas – we work together to provide a foundation of security of existence, safety, and perspective for young and old. We focus on a sustainable future, in which people are central.”
10 million for neighborhoods and villages
The Province of Limburg invests a total of 10 million euros in the Area-Oriented Neighborhoods and Villages approach, intended to structurally improve livability and security of existence in eight places. These are: Kerkrade-Oost, the Vastenavondkamp neighborhood in Blerick (Venlo), Heerlen-Noord, the Maastricht neighborhoods Nazareth and Pottenberg, Donderberg in Roermond, the Offenbeek neighborhood in Reuver (Beesel), Geleen-Zuid, and Vaals. Because every neighborhood is different, the approach remains tailor-made. Plans are made in consultation with residents so that it fits the environment and the people who live there.