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Green Welcome in Beek en Donk, greenest village of theConnects! Netherlands! Laarbeek: Waterport of the Peel. Index A green area abounding in water, with many Welcome in Beek en Donk outdoor activities and a rich social life. We are proud of all volunteers and organiza- Welcome in Beek en Donk 2 tions that helped us creating a green and Beek en Donk is a village, part of the municipality Laarbeek and located liveable Laarbeek. Together we are working in the region Peelland (province of North-Brabant) in Southern Nether- on a sustainable future, to make sure our Themes lands. In 1997, Laarbeek was established by merging the former muni- next generation still can enjoy our natural cipalities Beek en Donk, Aarle-Rixtel, Lieshout and Mariahout. Its name Planning and development 3-4 treasures. By participating in the European regenerated from the downtown area ‘Het Laar’ and ‘Beek’ accentuates Natural environment 5-6 Entente Florale and by showing our green vision, we hope to increase awareness of the stream valley. The valleys of the streams Goorloop and Aa contribute Built environment 7-10 the importance of our green environment. to the unique green area of Beek en Donk. Landscape 11-12 Open green spaces 13-14 Thematic prize: Biodiversity 15-16 Planting - Permanent and/or seasonal 17-18 Environmental education 19-20 Effort and involvement 21-22 We are happy to share our green Tourism and/or leisure 23-24 vision. The rich monumental References 25-26 heritage combined with the open green spaces is characteristic for Beek en Donk. We will show examples of projects where we have integrated development with conservation of our valuable natural environment and existing landscape. Through education, leisure facilities and communi- cation we involve the residents of Beek en Donk in our projects. This has led to numerous green initiatives and active volunteer organizations. During our tour you get to meet these people and our projects. Green Connects! 1 2 Planning and development planting). District green also consists of green Focus Group Green areas and line structures, but improves live- Our Focus Group Green gives us advice on Our green vision is an essential element in the formation of new plans, ability of the neighbourhood. Green squares, developmental plans. This group repre- for instance, function as play and meeting sents volunteer nature organizations IVN since it is one of our most remarkable qualities. In the Structural Vision grounds. Finally, additional green consists of Laarbeek (nature education) and founda- and Green Policy Plan we defined the importance of the green features public green spaces in residential streets with tion Laarbeeks Landschap (local landscape), of Beek en Donk and the way we will maintain them. a decorating function. Heemkundekring (local history), Southern Agriculture and Horticulture Organization The classification forms the basis for policy ZLTO and TOP Brabant (leisure and tou- Structural vision: our spatial course Green Policy and Green Master Plan decisions and maintenance levels, whether it rism). New projects and policies related to The remarkable qualities of Beek en Donk In the Green Policy and Green Master concerns protection of trees or facilitation of green or rural areas are discussed within are defined in our structural vision ‘Growth Plan the green structure of Beek en Donk resident participation. The maintenance level this group before decisions are taken. Plans in Balance’. This vision is developed by the has been analyzed and classified as: main of the main green structure is intensive (mo- may be adjusted to ensure their support. town council and forms our fundamentals green structure, district green and addi- wing multiple times per year), whereas district for the green spatial course we take. Our di- tional green. In the main green structure, green and additional green are less intensively Nature development on private areas verse landscape, our wet area, the friendly green elements determine the character managed. Additionally, green areas in the rural through funding village atmosphere and the nearby benefits and townscape of Beek en Donk, by ac- area and at the edge of the village are ecolo- of the city, are essential qualities. Sustai- centuating the urban design and historical gically managed (mowing twice a year) to sup- nability of both buildings and environment structure of Beek en Donk. These green port nature development and biodiversity. improves our natural and landscape values elements consist of green areas (parks and and increases biodiversity. plantations) and line structures (roads with Residential involvement We involve our residents in the development of our municipality, as much as possible. New policy plans are not developed in the town hall anymore, but together with those involved. However, the policy board keeps control by clearly describing the possibilities in the open Classification of the green structure of Beek en Donk. Main green structure consist of red lines en green areas green spaces and idea requests. For instance, Pasture bird pond established through STIKA the influence of residents is great in district In recent years, Beek en Donk has invested green, like playgrounds or green squares. in Stimulation Framework Green-Blue Ser- is discharged to water retention areas in the However, the possibilities in the main green vices (STIKA) and project ‘ErvenPlus’, focu- open green spaces within and surrounding structure are limited, since its structure may sed on improvement of biodiversity in the Beek en Donk. In the case of extreme rains, not get fragmented. Additional green is in par- rural area and on farmyards. Residents and we accept temporary puddles in the streets, ticular ideal to be designed and maintained by companies can apply for financial support as long as these stay between the curbs. residents, due to its flexible design range. to maintain existing, or develop new nature During sewage renovations, separate sewer areas and landscape elements. Fifty percent systems are placed to separate rainwater of the support is funded by the municipality from household wastewater. In this way, we and the other fifty percent by the province are able to reduce pollution of our streams of North-Brabant. and cope with extreme weather events due to climate change. Rainwater retention at the edge of the village Sustainable use of rainwater One of the characteristics of our ‘water vil- lage’ is the sustainable use of rainwater. We retain rainwater as long as possible in order to prevent problems downstream during heavy rains. Rainwater infiltrates or Green Structural Vision ‘Growth in Balance’ Developing new plans with those involved Connects! 4 Natural environment Weed control in Beek en Donk is primarily and residual waste of Beek en Donk is the The first steps are taken by the program have solar panels on top of our roof. Ad- focused on prevention by taking care of cheapest in the whole region. About 75% of ‘Laarbeek Energetic’ that focuses on: ditionally, service bicycles are available to The two canals and the south-north orientated streams are characte- lawns, planting of species that grow rapidly waste material collected in Beek en Donk is • investing, not just maintaining; reduce car use. and reduction of pavement. This leads of- recycled. However, our goal is to increase • facilitating, stimulating and supporting ristic to Beek en Donk. The streams form the blood vessels of the lands- ten to reformation of open green spaces or this percentage to 95% by 2020 and we st- the strength of our residents, young Social sustainability cape and are responsible for the wet valuable areas. These areas form the removal of pavement in order to reduce rive for a circular economy according to the people, companies, institutions and as- People with disabilities and people with a the habitat for many native flora and fauna species, but water plays weed pressure. principle ‘From Waste To Resource’. sociations; distance to the labor market have an im- • considering the health and welfare of portant role in the maintenance of open also a significant role for the community. Drinking water is extracted future generations (leisure, taking care, green spaces in Beek en Donk. They carry for thousands of people, ground water is used to brew beer by brewery living and working); out green maintenance activities in Beek en Bavaria, and wastewater is purified in the sewage. A full hydrological • mobilizing society; Donk and clients of Foundation ORO (peo- • involving people with disabilities in the ple with learning disabilities) help us weekly cycle within our municipal boundaries! society (social sustainability); by picking up litter. In addition, guidance is • supporting initiatives from the commu- of-fered to unemployed people. Sustainabi- nity, and help them achieve. lity means for us also that we take care of Water, air and soil are made of starch and decompose comple- the more vulnerable groups. Therefore, we Beek en Donk is located in a rural area and tely after a few months. The use of bioplas- One project within our sustainability pro- have also established a vegetable garden has therefore limited problems with air tics reduces pesticide use with 75%. quality. Technical features, like air scrub- gram is Dragons’ Den, which boosts crea- near the new senior homes as part of the Weed control measures using hot water Recycling centre tivity of our residents. This project is based Project ‘Together’. Children from the nearby ber systems to reduce particulate matter Furthermore, brewery This year we started a pilot experiment to on a Japanese television program. Residents primary school help with the maintenance and ammonia emissions, are required on Bavaria is connected reduce chemical control on sports fields. By Sustainability may pitch their sustainable idea in front of this garden. livestock stables and planting is used on to local farmers by its applying alternative fertilizers, soil life will In 2015, the town council decided to pri- of an independent jury, the ‘Dragons’.

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