The downtown faces new challenges due to the need to add housing, competition with the region when it comes to living and shopping, as well as the socioeconomic position of Zoetermeer.

An updated vision for downtown development is therefore needed. The vision Inner City 2040 is an adapted version of the vision Inner City 2030 (2012) and replaces it. There is an increasing need for an inner city where you can do many things, such as live, store, work and stay. An updated vision gives room for new ideas and projects and designates places for housing, but also the supermarket, the family doctor or the gym. Public space belongs to all of us. Everyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful places in the city. And quality is paramount.

What do we want to achieve?

The result we want to see is an inner city of high quality, with beautiful buildings and a wide range of social and cultural offerings. But it also includes a lively streetscape and a safe and pleasant public space with lots of greenery. There is room to build an additional 2,000 homes for those who would like to live in the inner city. People choose to live in a place with everything nearby with a safe City Center for cyclists and pedestrians. In the coming years we are working hard to build a vibrant and attractive downtown. We describe this ambition in the Vision Inner City 2040.

Downtown Vision 2040 (final)

City Council decision

At the council meeting of June 26, 2023, the City Council adopted the council proposal of the Downtown Implementation Strategy. This is a great milestone and it means we will continue to work hard over the next seven years to build a vibrant and attractive downtown.

On Jan. 31, 2022, the City Council adopted the required amount associated with the Downtown 2022/2023 Program Implementation Strategy. 

On Sept. 21, 2020, the City Council adopted the draft Downtown 2040 Vision as amended. Look for the amendments in the council information system > Amendments under agenda item 7a. The referendable council decision can be found under the "downloadable documents.

Documents