High ambitions in municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht lead to circular industrial estate

How is the municipality approaching the project?

Delta Development Group, the company responsible for developing Park20|20, supported the municipality of Hendrik Ido-Ambacht in the development of the Ambachtsezoom estate. The project is based on the circular Cradle to Cradle principle. Cradle to Cradle is a new form of sustainable design and production. After initial use, a product is converted into a raw material for a subsequent product. The municipality thus aims to not only reduce the harmful impact of industrial production, but also to leave a positive footprint for humankind and the planet. The circular industrial estate project involves the following steps:

• The municipality has drawn up a Circularity Manual. This sets out eight goals that together will result in a circular industrial estate. Some examples: the industrial estate will not have any negative impact on the soil; it will feature room for biodiversity; and it will have a positive impact on water management. To achieve all the goals, the manual sets out several measures that are mandatory with respect to public space and private premises.
• The manual specifies the mandatory measures that entrepreneurs must take on private premises, and any additional measures they may take. For example, to foster biodiversity and climate adaptation, they must construct green rooftops. A green rooftop holds ecological added value for plants, insects, and birds. In addition, it absorbs noise, improves air quality, and has a cooling effect. Finally, a green rooftop combats waterlogging as it collects and gradually drains rainwater.
• The municipality has constructed an ecological connecting zone along and through the Ambachtsezoom estate. The zone crossing the industrial estate is referred to as the Middentocht. The connecting zone enables flora and fauna to move between several nature reserves and serves as a natural habitat. To enhance biodiversity, the Ambachtsezoom estate will only feature indigenous plant species.
• Rainwater collected in the public space will drain to the wadis in the green areas. These green belts separate public space from private premises. From the wadis, the water will subsequently flow to the drainage canal in the central connecting zone.

What progress has been made on the project?

The municipality has sold the first lots, on which the entrepreneurs are now building. The development of the industrial estate is expected to take a maximum of ten years. On account of the circular ambition, the lots are garnering wide interest.

Discount when taking additional measures

Entrepreneurs qualify for a discount on the price of their land if they will take one or more additional measures set out in the manual. Examples of additional measures are: semi-paved parking places; additional rooftop buffering capacity; green façades; and fostering biodiversity. The discount – to a maximum of 10 per cent – depends on the type and number of measures. The municipality has developed an instrument to calculate the potential discount.

Municipality aims to inspire others with its story

The municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht has learned a great deal during the development of the Ambachtsezoom industrial estate. Many extraordinary things are happening at this unique location, which the municipality is keen to pass on to others. With its story, it aims to win over increasingly more people to the circular way of thinking. And sharing successes will obviate the need for others to continually reinvent the wheel.

Lessons to be learned

As the municipality is sticking to its ambition of a circular industrial estate, the sale of lots may take longer. Occasionally, buyers attempt to shirk one or more mandatory municipal measures. In such cases, the municipality will help them find alternatives, yet it will stand by its ambition. Most of the entrepreneurs tend to cave in eventually, but some back out of the sale. The advantage of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht is that industrial lots in and around the municipality are in high demand. In addition, the municipality has allotted sufficient time for the sale of the lots, something that not every municipality can afford. It is important to take this into account when developing an ambitious plan.

Contact person

Riny Verhoef
Gemeente Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
mj.verhoef@h-i-ambacht.nl