Environmental Vision for Wassenaar

Building the future together

The world is changing rapidly. We are noticing this in Wassenaar too. That is why we want to think carefully about how we live and work, now and in the future. To this end, we have developed the Environmental Vision: a plan in which we jointly determine what our living environment should look like around 2040 and beyond.

What is an Environmental Vision?

An Environmental Vision is a long-term plan. It sets out what we consider important in our living environment. Examples include:

  • Greenery and nature
  • Healthy and safe living
  • Good accessibility
  • Sustainability and energy
  • Working and entrepreneurship

The environmental vision therefore covers everything you see and experience outside: from streets and homes to parks and business parks.

Will you be joining us soon?

The Environmental Vision concerns your living environment. That is why we will soon be inviting you to share your thoughts via a survey. 

Complete the survey

Among other things, we ask: What do you consider important in Wassenaar? What should remain? And what could be improved? Your opinion matters. Together, we will develop a vision that does justice to the unique character of Wassenaar and is ready for the future.

Why are we creating an Environmental Vision?

The municipality wants to keep Wassenaar beautiful, livable, and future-proof. That is why we are developing a vision. This will enable us to:

  • Making better choices about spatial plans
  • Aligning rules and policies
  • Protecting Wassenaar's qualities, such as our green spaces, landscape, and heritage
  • Making room for new ideas and developments

In addition, every municipality in the Netherlands must adopt an environmental vision before January 1, 2027. This is stipulated in the Omgevingswet, which has been in force since January 1, 2024. The municipality of Wassenaar has already started this process. We will now continue together in the next phase of the process.

How do we create the Environmental Vision?

We do this in several steps:

  1. Initial memorandum. The municipality has drawn up an initial memorandum. It sets out how we will formulate the vision and who we will involve.
     
  2. Participation (contributing ideas). We believe it is important that everyone in Wassenaar has the opportunity to contribute ideas. That is why we are organizing:
    - An online questionnaire
    - Theme meetings and open evenings for various target groups and organizations, as well as for residents. For a small group, substantive workshops will be organized afterwards.

    We will compile the results in a participation document.
     
  3. Ambition document. Based on all the ideas and the participation document, we draw up an ambition document. This document sets out the most important choices and wishes. The municipal council will ultimately decide on this.
     
  4. Draft Environmental Vision. Following the ambition document, the draft Environmental Vision will be drawn up. We will submit this to the council, and it will ultimately be adopted as the Environmental Vision of Wassenaar.

Themes that are central to Wassenaar's environmental vision

Six key themes were identified in the initial exploration ("First Trial"):

  1. Valuable green spaces, heritage, and climate
  2. Liveable and attractive living
  3. Strong economy and employment
  4. Good accessibility
  5. A healthy and safe environment
  6. Sustainable and energy-neutral living

These themes form the basis for the rest of the process.

Planning

The schedule is subject to change and may be modified. 

  1. Completed: Outline of initial memorandum -

    The municipality is working on the initial draft of the starting memorandum. 

  2. Completed: Adoption of initial memorandum on participation in environmental vision -

    Adoption of the initial memorandum on participation in the environmental vision. 

  3. Still to do: Digital participation -

    Digital participation in the form of a survey.

  4. Still to do: Month of the Environmental Vision -

    In February, various participation opportunities will be organized for residents, entrepreneurs, and social organizations in Wassenaar.

  5. Still to do: Drafting participation document -

    Drafting participation document and providing feedback to participants.

  6. Still to do: Ambition document and draft Environmental Vision to the municipal council -

    The Ambition Document and draft Environmental Vision will be submitted to the Wassenaar municipal council.

  7. Still to do: Draft Environmental Vision available for inspection -

    The Draft Environmental Vision will be made available for inspection.

  8. Still to do: Adopting the Environmental Vision -

    Adopting the Environmental Vision. 

Stay informed

Would you like to participate or do you have any questions? Please let us know at omgevingsvisie@wassenaar.nl.

Documents