Public space

'Managing what is needed together'

The municipality is responsible for the design, management and maintenance of public space: the streets, the greenery, the water, the lampposts, the playgrounds, the benches and the litter bins. Everything must be sufficiently safe, accessible, healthy and sustainable. That is how we keep our city attractive and liveable. But we do not do it alone. We work together with the residents, entrepreneurs and visitors of Zoetermeer. We listen to your wishes and ideas through surveys, meetings and reports. That is how we know what is going on in the city and what can be improved.

Public Space Maintenance Note 2023-2026

In the Maintenance Note states what we want to achieve, how we do it and what it will cost. Developments such as ageing, climate change and expansion of the city have an impact on management. Together we ensure that Zoetermeer remains a pleasant place to live, work and recreate in the future. There are three levels: A-high, B-basic and C-low. The level determined by the municipal council is basic for (shopping) centres and business parks and low for main infrastructure, recreational areas and residential areas. We give a quality boost to areas that need it.

Zoetermeer measurement method and image measuring sticks maintenance level

The Zoetermeer Measurement Methodology (pdf) describes how we monitor the image quality of greenery, street furniture, paving and maintenance every quarter. With photos and technical standards from the CROW quality catalogue, we measure the various maintenance levels for all components of the public space.

Public space manual

Are you a contractor, project developer, architect and do you have plans regarding the public space in the city? Then you will find the Public Space Manual of the municipality of Zoetermeer here. This contains the various design requirements and also the technical requirements. These ensure that, for example, streets, squares, lampposts and litter bins in the city are of good quality.

Issuance policy for public green areas

The municipality of Zoetermeer has an active issuance policy in the area of public green. The rules of this are described in the issuance policy public green.

According to the Green Map, the public green of the municipality of Zoetermeer is divided into four different levels: regional, urban, district and neighbourhood green. Only neighbourhood green can be considered for issuance, because this is mainly significant for the direct residents. That is why only requests that relate to neighbourhood green are assessed against the issuance criteria for public green (assessment grounds for the snippergroen policy). You can see which level (type) of green there is in your area on the map Green types .

Give space! Play space note 2016-2026

This note was created through close consultation with various stakeholders. The most important were the primary school children who were taken around their neighbourhood and who filled out surveys about play space. Young people and residents were also asked about how they experience play space in Zoetermeer.

Public lighting

Public lighting policy plan Zoetermeer

Sewerage

Water plays an important role in the future of Zoetermeer. Due to climate change and urbanization, water and sewer management is a major challenge. Together with the parties involved, we reduce the risk of flooding and ensure proper drainage of wastewater and rainwater. This contributes to the attractiveness of the city. The Sewerage Memorandum describes how we perform municipal water tasks.

Zoetermeer Sewerage Memorandum 2023 to 2026

Cemeteries

Cemeteries are an important part of our public space. The maintenance level of roads and green areas in cemeteries is of a higher quality than in recreational areas. 

For the issue of burial rights, we follow specific rules that are described in the 'Management regulation municipal cemeteries Zoetermeer' and the 'Implementation regulation municipal cemeteries Zoetermeer'. Every year, we determine the new rates in accordance with the 'Regulation on the levy and collection of funeral rights'. For more information:

Cemeteries rates and regulations

Nature conservation

In order to strengthen the species diversity of plants and animals in Zoetermeer, we adapt our activities to this. We carry out our activities within the Nature Conservation Act. The municipality also protects special species for Zoetermeer. These special species are included in the field guide protected plants and animals of Zoetermeer.

On 1 January 2017, the Flora and Fauna Act was replaced by the new Nature Conservation Act (Wnb).

The "Code of Conduct for Species Protection by Municipalities" helps us to work in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act and to demonstrably act with due care.