The Power of Landscape
What sets Kerkrade apart is the connection between landscape, urban structure and community. The town is embedded in a system of valleys, streams and forests, formed by centuries of interaction between people and nature. This geography provides a robust framework for future development. The vision utilizes this landscape not as a backdrop, but as a structuring element in which water, nature and urban growth reinforce each other.

Four core qualities as the foundation
The vision starts from four historical qualities that have shaped Kerkrade and continue to guide it today:
→ Unique landscape and coherent water system that lays the foundation for climate adaptation and ecological quality.
→ Medieval cores connected by a ribbon structure that provides opportunities for renewal and encounters.
→ A strong live/work identity, rooted in the mining period, offering new perspectives on local economy and energy transition.
→ A strong community that, despite aging, drives an inclusive and resilient city.
These qualities are under pressure as a result of climate change, vacancy, and logistical issues. This vision leverages these qualities as carriers for future-proof development.

Four storylines to 2050
The vision translates these qualities into four coherent storylines that guide policy and implementation:
→ The Climate Resilient city: utilize the landscape as a basis for water storage, biodiversity and cooling.
→ The Livable City: strengthen the multi-city structure by connecting local centers and ribbons into a coherent urban network.
→ The Working City: develop new forms of work and production, and strengthen the link between local activity and residents.
→ The Multigenerational City: build neighborhoods where young and old feel at home, with healthy schools, diverse housing and space to meet.
Each storyline translates ambitions into concrete spatial principles and measurements for the next 25 years.