The Holland Metropole alliance is heading for the Expo Real trade fair in Munich with a record delegation made up of 37 cities, investors, developers, architects and other organisations closely involved in the Dutch real estate market.
Senior government officials and Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma are among the participants who will be taking part in sessions on solving the affordable housing challenge and making urban growth work.
This year much of the Holland Metropole focus is on attracting investment, given the new Dutch government’s restated commitment to building 100,000 new homes a year. The government has pledged to cut back on red tape and speed up procedures and is organising a major summit on housing later in 2024 in an effort to make sector-wide concrete agreements.
The new government has also pledged to continue to pressure the European Commission to take a speedy decision about expanding the options for state support in affordable home construction by both housing corporations and the private sector.
“This really is the right time to step into the Netherlands as a foreign investor,” says Ronald Huikeshoven, managing director of area developer AM and new chairman of Dutch developers association Neprom. “The government is ready, developers are ready and the councils are ready. Everyone is combining their strengths to focus on affordable, residential area development.”
Experts estimate the some €400 bn needs to be invested in affordable, rental housing and that is a tremendous amount of money, says Mark Siezen, chief executive of real estate investor Bouwinvest. “It is a massive challenge to attract capital, but together we are committed to working on improving the investment climate. It is a shared public private mission and a very necessary one.”
The Dutch housing market is an attractive one to foreign investors because it is highly transparent and mature. In addition, public private partnerships have always been the norm and there is an important role for institutional investors.
About Holland Metropole
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Eindhoven are thriving cities in their own right. As an alliance, they form one of the most competitive regions in the world. Meet the Holland Metropole partners at the Holland Metropole stand in Hall A2, 130, or join one of their events in the busy conference line-up.
Monday October 7
10.00 – 10.50 Solving the affordable housing challenge: the roles of cities, government and investors. Panelsession moderated by Greg Clark, Exhibitor Stage, Hall C2, booth 430. More info!
13.30 to 14.50 The New European Bauhaus: Affordable Housing, Energy Efficiency, Construction. Panel session with Robert van Asten (The Hague). EXPO REAL FORUM, hall A2, booth 450. More info!
15.00 – 15.40 Urban Expansion and Redevelopment in the Century of Cities: Renewal of Port Cities. Panelsession moderated by Greg Clark, with Rotterdam deputy mayor Chantal Zeegers. DECARB Forum, Hall A3 TB51. More info!
16.00 – 16.50 Making Urban Growth Work: Affordable Housing. Panelsession moderated by Greg Clark. DECARB Arena, Hall A3 TB51. More info!
Tuesday October 8
10.15 – 11.00 Remaking Cities for the new world order: Keynote introduction. Panel session moderated by Greg Clark, with Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma. DECARB Arena, Hall A3 TB51. More info!
11.15 – 12.00 Remaking Cities for the new world order: Retrofit and Re-Use. Panelsession moderated by Greg Clark, with Eindhoven deputy mayor Stijn Steenbakkers. DECARB Arena, Hall A3 TB51. More info!
11.30 – 12.00 Introduction of the book ‘The Architecture of Ageing’ by de Architekten Cie. First edition will be handed to Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma. Holland Metropole stand, Hall A2, 130.
13.00 – 14.30 Regional Innovation Valley Utrecht: Heart of health. Hall A2, room A21 More info!
15.00 – 16.30 Metropolitan areas in transition to achieve real social value. Hall A2, Room A21. More info!
For more information, contact: Annemieke | annemieke@hollandmetropole.com
