haarlemSep 2, 2026, 12:00

Municipality and central government collaborate to speed up construction in Schalkwijk

Schalkwijk in Haarlem has been designated as a national large-scale housing location to fast-track the development of over 5,000 new, affordable homes. The municipality will receive central government support to help manage construction challenges and transform the area into a modern, sustainable city district.

The Dutch government has designated Schalkwijk in Haarlem as one of five new national large-scale housing locations, aiming to accelerate the construction of over 5,000 new homes. Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning Boekholt-O’Sullivan confirmed that this status will provide the municipality with essential support from the central government to overcome development challenges. The project seeks to transform the area by replacing vacant offices with sustainable neighborhoods, upgrading the local shopping center, and establishing a new public transport hub.

Developing the site involves significant hurdles, including rising construction costs and power grid capacity limitations. Despite these complexities, local officials and the government are committed to creating a future-proof residential area with a strong focus on affordable housing. This initiative is part of a broader national plan to develop 31 major housing locations across the Netherlands, contributing to a goal of building at least 450,000 homes to address the urgent demand for living space.

Politics Economy Haarlem Netherlands

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Based on reporting by haarlem. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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