By 2050, the Southern Eem Valley, the agricultural natural landscape between the cores of Baarn, Soest, and Amersfoort, will be better balanced. Space will be provided for farmers, residents, recreational users, plants, and animals. With the signing of the cooperation agreement for the Southern Eem Valley on September 22, 2025, the province of Utrecht and the municipalities of Amersfoort, Baarn, and Soest are making an important commitment to this shared ambition. The Southern Eem Valley is the third example area of Green Grows Along for which a cooperation agreement has been signed.
The Amersfoort region faces a huge urbanization challenge: tens of thousands of homes will be built in the coming years. This development also puts pressure on the green space around it. Therefore, the province of Utrecht and the municipalities of Amersfoort, Baarn, and Soest choose to act proactively to ensure that recreational green, nature, water, and landscape grow along with the increasing number of homes in the Southern Eem Valley.
Deputy Mirjam Sterk signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of the province of Utrecht. “It’s wonderful that for this large example area, an important step is being taken to work together on this Green Grows Along area development. And of course, we do this together with the developments taking place under the Utrecht Program for the Rural Area. The funding that has become available for this area has certainly proven to be a catalyst. But also from the municipality(ies) themselves, capacity and funds have been made available to get started. This shows that we take responsibility together and get to work.”
Southern Eem Valley: an area with agricultural character and attractive for recreation
The Southern Eem Valley is located between Amersfoort, Baarn, and Soest. It is a transition area from the Eempolders to the Heuvelrug and from the rural area to the urban edges. From the A1 in the north to the forest in the south, covering an area of approximately 2,300 hectares. The area has a largely agricultural character and has many nature and cultural historical values. For residents from the surrounding cities and villages, it is also an important recreational area.
Population growth puts pressure on the area
Due to the growth in the number of homes in the Amersfoort region, the demand for recreational space has increased significantly, but recreational facilities and nature investments have not kept pace. This is creating increasing pressure on the Southern Eem Valley. Issues such as conflicts between recreational traffic and other traffic require solutions. In this Green Grows Along example area, we are working on improving accessibility to the Southern Eem Valley and expanding recreational opportunities.
In addition to recreation, there is also a task for the development of a sustainable rural area. There are opportunities for agricultural transition, climate adaptation and energy, nature development, and biodiversity. At the same time, it is a challenge to combine these different issues in the area.
The cooperating parties are starting to draft a plan for the area until 2050. They are working on a short-term implementation program with concrete projects, such as nature-friendly banks along the Praamgracht (Baarn), expanding small landscape elements, and a green-blue connection at the Malewetering (Amersfoort).
The joint ambition for the Southern Eem Valley
By 2050, the Southern Eem Valley, the agricultural natural landscape between the cores of Baarn, Soest, and Amersfoort, will be better balanced. Space will be provided for farmers, residents, recreational users, plants, and animals. The unique location on the flank of the Heuvelrug towards the open polder of Eemland and Arkenheem, through which the river Eem flows, provides a unique variety in biodiversity and landscapes. From high and low, dry and wet, enclosed and open. The readability of the landscape has been enhanced by restoring the characteristic green-blue structures. Both people and animals benefit from this.
With the construction of additional walking and cycling paths, more residents and recreational users can enjoy the area. Along the recreational connections, resting places have been created such as small-scale catering, a farmers shop, nature play areas, or swimming water. The cultural historical elements in the area are more visible and recognizable and contribute to the identity of the area.
Agriculture is still the main user and manager of the agricultural natural landscape in many parts. Agricultural entrepreneurs are working more extensively and nature-inclusive and contribute to other (green-blue) services. The additional opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurs for ancillary activities can complement the business case of agricultural operations. The (spatial) developments in the Southern Eem Valley contribute to keeping the Eempolder safe from flooding.
Green Grows Along
The province of Utrecht, U10, Region Amersfoort, the Utrecht part of the Food Valley Region, and the Utrecht water boards are working under the direction of the province on the Green Grows Along program. The Utrecht region is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Green Grows Along is the agreement that we will equitably and fully incorporate (recreational) green development in all spatial plans and area developments. The other example areas in which the Green Grows Along partners are gaining experience are the Hollandsche IJssel area, the Kromme Rijn Line Landscape, and De Roode Haan near Veenendaal.
For press information:
jytte.reichert@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 18 54 01 37
