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 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 liveable Laarbeek. Together we are working on a sustainable future, to make sure our Themes next generation still can enjoy our natural Planning and development 3-4 treasures. By participating in the European Entente Florale and by showing our green Natural environment 5-6 vision, we hope to increase awareness of Built environment 7-10 the importance of our green environment. 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 Tourism and/or leisure 23-24 References 25-26 1 Welcome in Beek en Donk Beek en Donk is a village, part of the municipality Laarbeek and located in the region Peelland (province of North-Brabant) in Southern Nether- lands. In 1997, Laarbeek was established by merging the former muni- cipalities Beek en Donk, Aarle-Rixtel, Lieshout and Mariahout. Its name regenerated from the downtown area ‘Het Laar’ and ‘Beek’ accentuates the stream valley. The valleys of the streams Goorloop and Aa contribute to the unique green area of Beek en Donk. We are happy to share our green vision. The rich monumental 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! 2 Planning and development Our green vision is an essential element in the formation of new plans, since it is one of our most remarkable qualities. In the Structural Vision and Green Policy Plan we defined the importance of the green features of Beek en Donk and the way we will maintain them. Structural vision: our spatial course Green Policy and Green Master Plan The remarkable qualities of Beek en Donk In the Green Policy and Green Master are defined in our structural vision ‘Growth Plan the green structure of Beek en Donk in Balance’. This vision is developed by the has been analyzed and classified as: main town council and forms our fundamentals green structure, district green and addi- for the green spatial course we take. Our di- tional green. In the main green structure, verse landscape, our wet area, the friendly green elements determine the character village atmosphere and the nearby benefits and townscape of Beek en Donk, by ac- of the city, are essential qualities. Sustai- centuating the urban design and historical nability of both buildings and environment structure of Beek en Donk. These green improves our natural and landscape values elements consist of green areas (parks and and increases biodiversity. plantations) and line structures (roads with Structural Vision ‘Growth in Balance’ 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 ability of the neighbourhood. Green squares, developmental plans. This group repre- for instance, function as play and meeting sents volunteer nature organizations IVN grounds. Finally, additional green consists of Laarbeek (nature education) and founda- public green spaces in residential streets with tion Laarbeeks Landschap (local landscape), 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- decisions and maintenance levels, whether it rism). New projects and policies related to concerns protection of trees or facilitation of green or rural areas are discussed within resident participation. The maintenance level this group before decisions are taken. Plans of the main green structure is intensive (mo- may be adjusted to ensure their support. wing multiple times per year), whereas district green and additional green are less intensively Nature development on private areas managed. Additionally, green areas in the rural through funding area and at the edge of the village are ecolo- gically managed (mowing twice a year) to sup- port nature development and biodiversity. 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 Developing new plans with those involved Connects! 4 Natural environment The two canals and the south-north orientated streams are characte- ristic to Beek en Donk. The streams form the blood vessels of the lands- cape and are responsible for the wet valuable areas. These areas form the habitat for many native flora and fauna species, but water plays also a significant role for the community. Drinking water is extracted for thousands of people, ground water is used to brew beer by brewery Bavaria, and wastewater is purified in the sewage. A full hydrological cycle within our municipal boundaries! Water, air and soil are made of starch and decompose comple- Beek en Donk is located in a rural area and tely after a few months. The use of bioplas- has therefore limited problems with air tics reduces pesticide use with 75%. quality. Technical features, like air scrub- ber systems to reduce particulate matter Furthermore, brewery and ammonia emissions, are required on Bavaria is connected livestock stables and planting is used on to local farmers by its farmyards to capture particulates. residual water. During periods of drought, purified wastewater is used for agricul- tural activities and to maintain the water level in the canal. In this way, drought damage to crops is re- duced and groundwater quality preserved. This form of residual water use is unique in the Netherlands. Partly thanks to this project and exclusion of chemical pestici- Improving awareness on a vital soil des, brewery Bavaria was awarded most In cooperation with local farmers, brewery sustainable brewery of the world. Farmer, Bavaria and water board Aa & Maas, we Beer, Water is a perfect example of how col- developed the project ‘Farmer, Beer, Water’ laboration improves achievements. The role focusing on a vital soil. A vital soil leads to of the municipality within this project was a better crop health and contributes to a mainly connecting the different authorities, robust environment. Additionally, new cul- support procedures and facilitate innovati- tivation techniques are developed to reduce ons. the use of pesticides, for instance, by using biodegradable bioplastics. These plastics Control of weeds and exotic species are used to reduce weeds, water use and Maintenance of open green spaces and pave- manure, by covering the soil. The plastics ment in Beek en Donk is free from chemicals. Wilhelmina canal 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 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 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 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 weed pressure.