Water at the heart of new construction in Haarlem

Focus on water quality, biodiversity, climate adaptation and affordable housing

Six parties are exploring how new housing and area development can be integrated with water conservation, reuse and smart water management in a new neighbourhood on Korte Verspronckweg in Haarlem.

Goal pilot

The pilot aims to show how existing systems for water reuse and conservation can be integrated into new developments. For example, we are investigating how (rain)water can be reused efficiently, safely and cost-effectively in the area and in individual buildings. Potential measures include rainwater storage, techniques for conserving drinking water and water buffering solutions to prevent flooding caused by heavy rainfall. These interventions will be designed to avoid delays in construction timelines for future social housing residents.

This will ensure that the new neighbourhood contributes to a future-proof living environment that prioritises water quality, biodiversity, climate adaptation and affordable housing.

Six parties

This exploratory study is being initiated by the municipality of Haarlem, the drinking water company PWN, the housing association Ymere, the province of North Holland, the Rijnland Water Authority and NWB Bank. To formalise the partnership and define a common framework for the study, a letter of intent was jointly signed on 11 July 2025. Consultancy firm TwynstraGudde is supervising the process.

The focus of this partnership is on exploring possibilities. In the coming months, the partners will develop feasible ideas and solutions. In October, they will present their findings to colleagues, stakeholders and the press.

Each party will contribute its expertise and objectives in the following ways:

• The municipality of Haarlem aims to create a green and healthy neighbourhood without delaying housing construction. Its existing rainwater regulations ensure that heavy rainfall does not cause damage or overload the sewer system.
• PWN will contribute expertise on encouraging conscious drinking water use through the built environment, while safeguarding public health.
• Ymere is exploring how additional water measures can keep homes affordable and future-proof, protecting them from climate change while ensuring residents have access to affordable drinking water now and in the future.
• The Province of North Holland is investigating how climate adaptation strategies, such as water reuse and improving urban biodiversity and water quality, can be more effectively integrated into new construction projects.
• The Rijnland Water Authority is advising on spatial planning that integrates water and greenery, helping to make the area more resilient to extreme weather events like drought and peak rainfall.
• NWB Bank brings expertise in financing sustainable public projects and is exploring how private financiers can support this water-positive development.

F.l.t.r.: Floor Roduner (municipality Haarlem), Marjon Verkleij-Lemmers (Water Authority of Rijnland), Rosan Kocken (province Noord-Holland), Marike Bonhof (Ymere), Patrick Franken (PWN), Lidwin van Velden (Nederlandse Waterschapsbank)