Spatial opportunities for Friesland from the Lely line

The proposed Lely line, a new high-speed passenger rail route, will cut journey times between the Randstad and the northern Netherlands. Haskoning visualised the spatial opportunities for the cities of Drachten and Heerenveen which lie along the route. The exploration, built around three scenarios, provides more control and better steering for the spatial and strategic agenda.
Map of Northern Netherlands Lely Line

Project facts

Client
Municipalities of Smallingerland and Heerenveen
Location
Drachten and Heerenveen, the Netherlands
Date
June – September 2023
Challenge
Provide insight into the spatial impact of the Lely line on the municipalities.
Solution
Spatial visualisations for potential scenarios for the cities and surrounding areas with the Lely line

The challenge: Identifying opportunities created by the Lely line

The Lely line is the proposed railway connection between the northern Netherlands and the country’s largest urban region, the Randstad. But what would this new connection mean for land use and spatial planning? How would it impact the interaction with housing plans and urbanisation around mobility hubs? And does it contribute to comprehensive societal well-being?

These questions were posed to Haskoning by the municipalities of Heerenveen and Smallingerland (Drachten) which will host two of the main station stops.

Map of Northern Netherlands Lely Line
Map of Northern Netherlands Lely Line

The solution: Scenario testing

The reinforcement of infrastructure through the Lely line will be a guiding factor for both municipalities. It will support economic opportunities, housing, and the wider development plans for both urban and rural areas.

Both municipalities currently have fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. And Drachten is the largest town in the Netherlands without a railway connection, making a station essential for its future development.

If the new railway line is constructed they each want to build an additional 10,000 homes, this is more than existing plans.

Haskoning examined the potential and possible development opportunities in parallel with analyses of the economic impact on both municipalities.

We developed three scenarios, ranging from focusing on the main urban centres with maximum densification, to strengthening smaller villages instead.

Each scenario has specific implications for:

  • the optimal locations for stations
  • housing development
  • business activity

The spatial–technical implications were made accessible through clear visualisation.

The municipalities of Smallingerland and Heerenveen want to stay in control of their spatial quality when the Lely line arrives. With our combined expertise, we were able to deliver a visionary and realistic contribution.

Gilbert MulderProject Manager Sustainable Mobility

The result: Maintaining control of the spatial agenda

Haskoning developed a foundation that allowed the municipalities of Smallingerland and Heerenveen to engage in the next Multiyear Programme for Infrastructure and Spatial Planning (MIRT) discussions with the national government and other Lely line stakeholders.

The exploration provides useable insights on the spatial and strategic agenda. Helping the municipalities create:

  • responsible urban quality around mobility hubs
  • respect for the value of the rural landscape
  • optimal benefit from the Lely line
  • attention to broad prosperity
Map of Northern Netherlands Lely Line
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