February 9, 2026 News
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News · February 9, 2026
Integrated quality framework for Venlo city centre officially approved!
We’re proud to see our vision and strategy for the Integraal Kwaliteitskader Binnenstad Venlo (Integrated Quality Framework for Venlo City Centre), officially adopted by the Municipal Executive (Mayor and Aldermen), marking a major step forward for Venlo’s inner city transformation!
Through our vision for the IKBV, Venlo’s city centre is positioned at a pivotal moment of change. Recognising that the city centre was once primarily retail focused, our strategy guides its evolution into a vibrant mixed‑use urban environment, steering from “a place to buy” to “a place to be”.
A clear framework for long-term urban quality
With a clear spatial direction, we prioritise climate resilience, sustainable mobility, greenery, economic vitality, and cultural richness, delivering an engaging user experience and a dynamic quality of life!
The IKBV is a comprehensive framework we created together with the Municipality of Venlo, developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders including residents, entrepreneurs, property owners, and other users. It provides guidance on the spatial, architectural, landscape, and functional development of the historic city centre towards 2040 and beyond.
Analysis of the green corridors that connect the surrounding landscape with Venlo’s city centre
Integrated blue‑green network for a climate‑resilient Venlo inner city, showing new water buffers, cooling routes, pocket parks and slow‑traffic connections that enhance spatial quality and support ecological value
Spatial framework showing how Venlo’s historic structure, green‑blue networks and mobility routes merge, connecting the Maas with the urban core to create a resilient, accessible and high‑quality public realm
Making Venlo legible through history and landscape
A key strength of our approach lies in our close collaboration with cultural-heritage consultant Van Meijel. It enables us to make the city legible by rediscovering historic elements, spatial structures, and narratives to form a coherent urban story. With the IKBV, we are consciously working towards revealing, reinforcing and carrying Venlo’s distinct identity forward.
“This project marks a key moment in the spatial quality of Venlo’s city centre, translating its history and identity into a landscape-led strategy that shapes its future developments.”
— Anashwara Jayakumar, Landscape designer, OKRA
Key urban connections strengthening access, landscape and identity
Our framework forms a central component of the broader Plan Binnenstad 2030 (City Centre Plan 2030) and aligns with the Omgevingsvisie Venlo 2040 (Environmental Vision Venlo 2040). Its power lies in its ability to consolidate a wide range of existing policies into a coherent, realistic, and futureproof strategy. By translating ambition into clear spatial and programmatic anchors, the framework offers a practical foundation for future developments to ensure a recognisable, sustainable, and attractive inner city.
