Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012‐2020 Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012-2020 2 Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012-2020 3 Review: From outline policy document to strategic agenda1 The BrabantStad steering committee finalised the ‘Outline of the Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012‐ 2020’ policy document in March 2011. In the period that followed, the outline policy document was presented to the councils of the B5 cities2 and the provincial council. The document was also discussed with the four regions of Brabant and partners from non‐government organisations. The following central themes were distilled from these consultations and discussions: Content - Define a broad‐based strategy, but focus on main points in the implementation - Create and develop an alluring and distinctive region to attract and retain knowledge workers as part of a BrabantStad‐wide approach - Develop a cohesive knowledge strategy Process - BrabantStad connects different levels, connects the regions and provides direction when necessary - BrabantStad focuses from ”the outside in”, and forges crucial coalitions with public and private parties - BrabantStad is a strong lobbyist - BrabantStad inspires, experiments and drives developments Financing - BrabantStad develops new funding models The above points were taken into consideration when defining and compiling the strategic agenda. This agenda will serve as a compass for the 2012–2020 period. However, the world around us changes constantly. Current developments of relevance will determine the priorities adopted in the implementation programme and will from time to time result in adjustments to the agenda. Finally, in order to arrive at a new level of cooperative zeal in the forthcoming period, we believe we will be facing challenges relating to content, governance, organisation and funding. By viewing these challenges in relation to one another, and approaching them on the basis of the strength of our network of cities, we will be able to achieve progress. In addition to development goals, this agenda therefore also outlines goals relating to governance and organisation. Attention has also been paid to funding models that can be utilised in the implementation programme. 1This Strategic Agenda BrabantStad is a translation of the “Strategische Agenda BrabantStad”, as adopted by the BrabantStad Steering Committee. Footnotes have been added for clarification and as updates. Appendix 1 from the original agenda has been deleted as part of this update. 2B5 cities: the 5 largest cities in the Dutch province Brabant: Breda, Eindhoven, Helmond, ’s‐Hertogenbosch and Tilburg Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012-2020 4 Content Review: From outline policy document to strategic agenda ................................................ 3 Content.................................................................................................................................. 4 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 5 1 The emergence of the metropolitan area................................................................... 8 2 BrabantStad en route to joining the top five European regions for knowledge and innovation: Development Goals .............................................................................…. 11 2.1 Strengthen economic resilience through knowledge, innovation and valorisation 11 2.2 Increase international allure.................................. 15 2.3 Increase (international) accessibility ..................... 16 2.4 Strengthen the spatial structure of the urban network ………………….. 17 3 BrabantStad as an urban governance network: the art of cooperating and shared governing........................................................................................................ 19 4 Financial engineering ................................................................................................. 22 Appendix 1 A selection of financing structures..................................................................... 24 Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012-2020 5 Introduction The ‘Outline of the Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012‐2020’ policy document, which was finalised in March 2011, forms the basis of this Strategic Agenda BrabantStad. As BrabantStad partners, we compiled the outline document to include a broad analysis of the surrounding area and an outline of the ambitions and efforts needed in the years ahead. The consultation rounds with the councils and regions, and the discussions with our partners shows that there is broad‐based support for the outline document. All of the partners endorse the importance of cooperation within the BrabantStad network. Cooperation is based on trust. BrabantStad focuses on meeting, sharing, connecting and achieving goals together. This agenda is a combined agenda for BrabantStad and our partners, which will guide our cooperation in the 2012‐2020 period. This agenda is also a strategic agenda. We define and provide direction for the most important goals for BrabantStad, but obviously remain open to adaptation. We will be keeping our eyes open for developments of relevance for the region of Brabant. While this means that we may include promising projects in the coming years, we may similarly revise our ambitions if they appear to be less opportune. Finally, this is to be considered a long‐term agenda. In order to achieve focus and rigorous implementation, we will periodically compile implementation programmes in cooperation with our partners. The implementation programmes will consist of concrete projects, coupled with an accompanying funding or financing strategy. Within the context of BrabantStad, we see BrabantStad as an administrative network challenges in the years ahead which, as a network of cities, we wish and must undertake BrabantStad is not an extra administrative layer; it is in cooperation with other partners. a governance network of an informal nature; the BrabantStad is expressly not a new respective cities and province retain their own administrative layer. The initiatives in autonomy. Interaction is based on equality between BrabantStad are driven largely by the cities partners. In short, a loose network without the and their region or the province and, in some power to persevere on its own. For this reason, cases, by way of a joint project. BrabantStad BrabantStad is investing in mobilising commitment. connects the city with the region. The regions BrabantStad develops, stimulates, initiates, connects become involved through the B5 cities. and cooperates. The dynamism this generates is to BrabantStad is especially suited to initiatives the benefit of the entire region of Brabant. and challenges that cannot be picked up at an urban or regional level, but that are important to the (further) development of the greater Brabant region. This relates specifically to initiatives and challenges of an economic, cultural or spatial nature. Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012-2020 6 Some social challenges such as the demand for care and sufficient training opportunities, and matters related to safety, also form a part of this picture. Developments such as various decentralisations of power (youth care, the Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWBZ), the Work & Income According to Labour Capacity Act (WIA)) facing the cities, mainly require an approach at a local or regional level. Information exchange, knowledge sharing, coordination and joint action in this respect between the BrabantStad partners also have added value. The cities wish to offer everyone living in Brabant the prospect of participating meaningfully in society. We work specifically towards creating a good balance between the ecological, economic and socio‐cultural domains. We invest in sustainable solutions for economic, infrastructural and spatial matters. Through this, we pursue an approach that utilises opportunities to strengthen the ecological and socio‐cultural domain, and resolves social issues. Strategic Agenda BrabantStad 2012-2020 7 BrabantStad development goals in a nutshell Strengthen economic resilience through knowledge, innovation and valorisation Connect leading economic sectors Strengthen BrabantStad‐wide knowledge infrastructure - Excellent education at all levels - Attract and retain (international) knowledge workers - Strengthen and attract research centres - Campuses as a breeding ground for open innovation Increase international allure Become European Capital of Cultural 2018 Host international and national sports events and upgrade the level of accommodation Increase (international) accessibility BrabantStad is the link in the chain that enables further connections The north‐south connection of Rotterdam‐Drechtsteden‐Breda / West‐Brabant‐ Antwerp – Brussels by rail and road The north‐south connection of Amsterdam‐Utrecht‐Den Bosch‐Eindhoven‐Maastricht (Aachen –Luik) by rail and road The east‐west connection of Rotterdam via Breda‐Tilburg‐Eindhoven‐Venlo to Germany (Ruhr area, Dusseldorf) by rail and road Expand Eindhoven Airport and the accessibility of Eindhoven Airport Establish a high‐frequency rail link between the five cities of Brabant Strengthen the spatial structure of the urban network Develop multipurpose zones around the central railway stations Maintain and strengthen the character of BrabantStad as a multifaceted metropolis. BrabantStad – recognisable cities and towns with excellent green areas in the immediate vicinity of the city The art of cooperation, adapted