Residents of the new Stadshavens district in Groningen are concerned about a decision that is before the municipal council. She is about to ‘give away’ some of her powers in the development of the district to the alderman.
Like many other new-build areas, the 3,300 new homes in Stadshavens are being developed in steps. Each new phase will have its own sub-plan, including requirements for public space and what the neighborhood should look like. The municipal council determines the preconditions for the district, but for the concrete implementation the mayor and aldermen want to take over the authority of the council.
This means that it is no longer the municipal council, but councilor Rik van Niejenhuis (PvdA) and his colleagues who are responsible for the design of City Ports. This concerns, among other things, the precise position and building height of homes, commercial buildings and social facilities. These are exactly the points that local residents are concerned about. The involvement of the municipal council is limited to being informed and annual catch-up sessions during working visits.
‘Democratic process is under pressure’
Several Stadjers await the decision of the municipal council with fear and trembling. Especially when it comes to building height, for example. They do not want the council to hand over the wheel to the alderman.
Local residents have had bad experiences with the participation process in recent years. The municipal council is the only one they can turn to, but if the council hands over the authority for the design of City Ports, that will also disappear.
“The democratic content of this process is under heavy pressure,” says Koos Haarsma. He lives on the other side of the Eemskanaal and is part of the sounding board group that must ensure participation of local residents. According to him, the participation to date has been a farce, because all 229 responses from local residents have been rejected.
He has great fears that the municipal council will delegate its authority to the alderman. “If there is one institution that must ensure participation, it is the municipal council.”
‘Council should check’
The Damsterbuurt Residents Association and Oosterparkwijk Residents Organization also warn the municipal council. “If the council agrees with this decision, you as a council will relinquish control,” Willy Deinum from the Damsterbuurt addressed the council members.
According to Jaap de Graaf of the Oosterparkwijk Residents’ Organization, the basis of the problem is that the municipality and a project developer have already made agreements. In his view, these limit the participation of local residents. “The municipal council should have a supervisory function, but far too much has already been restricted.” If the council hands over even more power, control will be completely lost in his view.
The residents’ organizations are calling on the city council, which will debate the decision on Wednesday evening, not to go ahead with the plan and to remain in control. Although the question remains to what extent that message will get through. Councilor Rico Tjepkema (PvdA) says he does not recognize the image that the council is being sidelined in this way.
According to them, the residents’ call is emphatically not aimed at stopping construction. “Most Groningers are very reasonable,” says De Graaf. Koos Haarsma adds: “We enjoy living in our homes. Our contribution was and is mainly aimed at ensuring that our future neighbors in Stadshavens will enjoy living there just as well.”
Tags: Local residents Stadshavens district warn Groningen city council hand power alderman
