Zuidlaren A beautiful balance between nature and village life

Zuidlaren

The layers of time are clearly identifiable in Zuidlaren and most visible in the green spaces or

‘brinken’. These village greens, originally used as agricultural spaces, were first established

during the early Middle Ages, and possibly evolved from more wooded areas. The ‘laren’ part

of the name Zuidlaren refers to living in the forest or forest grazing.

From the 11th century, Zuidlaren was known as an ‘Esdorp’, or farming settlement. In the evenings,

cattle would be herded onto the village greens which at the time were considered collective property.

The villagers also carved a living as woodmen and foresters. The Zuidlaren greens’ traditional

rectilinear planting plan is an indication of its professional forestry origins.

Trade was another influence to leave its clear mark on the village. Zuidlaren formed a sort of gateway

to the port of Groningen. There was once a brisk trade in oak, peat, cheese, butter and grain,

particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. The old farming system was eventually abandoned during

the course of the 19th century and replaced with the wide ranging use of fertiliser. A number of

formative legislation changes were also introduced and the large scale clearing of heather meadows

began. New buildings soon appeared in the village, which also exerted their direct effect on the

old village greens. Ownership of the greens passed to the local council in the nineteen thirties. The

spaces received their listed status on 7 August 1967.

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1 Policy and development

1.1 Development plans by governments

1.2 Volunteer groups’ action plans

2 Sustainability and environment

(the natural environment)

2.1 Water; flowing landscape

2.2 Air quality measures

2.3 Waste reduction measures

2.4 Buildings, quality and maintenance

2.5 Streetscape and street furniture

3 Nature and landscape

3.1 Policy

3.2 Biodiversity

3.3 Managing the surrounding landscape

4 Public green

4.1 Function for climate and health

4.2 Gardens and parks

4.3 Graveyards

4.4 Sport and play

4.5 Maintenance and cleaning

4.6 Streams and lakes

4.7 Waterways, banks and ponds

5 Planting

5.1 Permanent planting

6 Seasonal planting

6.1 Seasonal planting

7 Education and participation

7.1 Environmental education

7.2 Community effort, cooperation and participation

8 Recreation and tourism

8.1 Marketing and development policy

8.2 Appeal and infrastructure

Entente Florale Europe 2014 Contents

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1 Policy and development1.1 Development plans by governments The local council’s Structure Plan (2006) sets out the vision, mission and ambition for the whole municipality. This is based on the concept of being a ‘Green Lung’ in the relatively urban region of Groningen and Assen. The structure plan embraces the full scope of the local council’s policy for the built environment, industrial zones, noise, traffic and transport, agriculture, the na-tural environment, water, security and leisure and tourism.

The structure plan describes our community as follows: a green local council with prized landscapes, extensive natural areas and a vital countryside. Peace and quiet and living in small centres are the principal focal points. Space is available for sustainable development as we strive towards the goal of being an eco-nomically vibrant local council. We also find it important that facilities are available for the benefit of the young and old alike. Places of interest for tourists and activities for the visitor, for example cycling, walking or horse riding, are also key.

We have utilised a layered approach when making these choices. The starting point for everything is the bottom or base layer. Everything leans on this natural underpinning. The layer above concerns the infrastructure network and above this the occupied layer. The underlying layers are critical for the proper support of the upper layers. The following chapters will explain how this works in practice.

1.2 Volunteer groups’ action plansPlans have been developed for both Zuidlaren’s large and small village greens. The concept is to maintain these greens in a sustainable manner, whilst once again revealing their history. The notion was and is to successfully integrate this concept with the village centre’s functions; including catering, enterprises, markets and shopping, as well as the through traffic. The plan also encompasses an extensive maintenance programme for the trees, the ponds and the surfacing. The development of a plan for both village greens was launched in 2007. Whilst drawing up the initial plans, it quickly became apparent how committed the village community was to the green spaces and its wonder-ful centre. To this end, a comprehensive road-map project was launched together with stakeholders, organisations, clubs and a representative sounding-board group of residents. The principal aim of this project was to develop a well supported plan. Using the roadmap as a guide, the sounding-board group in close col-laboration with the local council carefully considered the urban planning and how preserving the character of the green spaces should be approached. This level and form of participation is both exciting and challenging, as all parties eventually have to come to an agreement despite having arrived at the table with diverse agendas. Such projects often absorb a great deal of time and effort, however in the end this only lends support to the plan and contributes towards a mutual and communal solidarity. The finalised plans provide a good example of this notion. Work will start at the end of 2014.

layered approach

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2 Sustainability and environment (the natural environment) 2.1 Water; flowing landscapeThe village of Zuidlaren is sited in the middle of the Hondsrug, a ridge of sand which reaches its highest point in the centre of the village. East and west have two different water systems. The high ground the village sits on and the stream valleys are clearly visible on the contour map. A large part of the village discharges its water to the east towards the Hunze valley, the Zuidlaardervaart and the Zuidlaardermeer (to the right of the dotted line). Meanwhile, the west side (left of the dotted line) of the village’s water is not drained, but rather accumulates in four large collection ponds.

A key objective is the improvement of the water quality for the benefit of the natural environment, leisure facilities and of course also for the supply of healthy drinking water. Given that the Hunze valley has such an extensive accumulation of water, the Zuidlaardermeer has become a popular recreation destination and resource. The objectives have been detailed up in specific policy plans: a wider local council sewage and waste water plan, a basic sewage and waste water plan and a structural rainwater plan for Zuidlaren. Thirty local councils, two water boards and two water companies work in close harmony in the ‘Groningen - Drenthe Water Chain’.

Environmental organisation ‘het Drentse Landschap’s’ vision for the Hunze valley is important: many projects have already been implemented in an area upstream from the Hunze. These projects have been aimed at retaining water, countering dehydration (reducing peat oxidation) and the settling of silt. All this helps deliver a positive contribution to the water quality of the Zuidlaardermeer.

The Natura 2000 management plan included work on the Zuidlaardermeer’s reed beds. This involved cutting peat to below the water line, creating ditches with slow sloping banks and the construction of foreshores. These measures will also have a positive effect on the Zuid-laardermeer’s water quality.

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• WATER QUALITY AND RAINWATER COLLECTION MEASURESThe water quality is improved by the division of the water streams at source. This is achieved among other things by a divided waste water system. Clean rainwater is not purified but allowed to dissipate naturally. Waste water is diluted less with clean (rain) water > reduced natural overflow of waste water (and always purified before being allowed to disperse naturally). 14 % of the paved surfaces in Zuidlaren have been disconnected from the sewage system with the aim of disconnecting a further 20% by 2025. However, any disconnection needs to carefully consider that roads with high traffic volumes will be required to be drained discretely from the main rainwater waste system and ensure that street drainage is not or only lightly polluted with chemical herbicides. Chemical herbicides are therefore nev-er used in public spaces. More storage space has been created in the sewer sys-tem to manage peak loads during heavy rainfall and a stor-age basin has been constructed, together with the in-troduction of green water buffers. Water reed fields have been planted next to the Zuidlaardervaart to help puri-fythe water in the Zuidlaardermeer. The Zuidlaardermeer, the Brillevijver and the Zuidlaardervaart have also been dredged.

The ‘Tusschenwater’ plan is currently being implemented and will provide additional water storage in the Hunze valley to handle peak rainwater. This is an area of approx. 460 ha for collecting rainwater and forms part of the development of this natural re-gion which is a potable water catchment zone.

The ‘Tusschenwater’ plan is currently being implemented and will provide additional water storage in the Hunze valley to handle peak rainwater. This is an area of approx. 460 ha for collecting rainwater and forms part of the development of this natural re-gion which is a potable water catchment zone.

2.2 Air quality measuresSustainability, air quality, reduction of waste and cradle to cra-dle are issues high on the local council’s agenda when drawing up new plans and developments. These issues are also closely considered in existing districts and across all external spaces, to pinpoint where progress can be made. In the area of fuel use and air quality for example, four electric car loading docks have been commissioned. These convenient facilities are offered to help stimulate the increased use of this innovative mode of transport. All vehicles owned by the local council are powered by euro 5 or 6 engines; a demand also specified in our agreements with contractors. The traffic and transport policy encourages cycling by constructing cycling routes, including rapid cycling connections with for example Assen and Groningen. Our public transport policy endeavours to encourage a move away from pri-vate car use towards public transport, by constructing disabled friendly bus stops and by installing excellent bicycle parking facilities adjacent to bus stops.

• Sustainability and sustainable energy Sustainability is a key anchor point in the environmental policy plan and in the ‘Sustainable Building’ plan. The environmental policy plan will be superseded in 2014 by a ‘Sustainability Vi-sion’. The province takes part in the ‘Zon zoekt Drent’ campaign (Sun wants a Drenthe resident); a campaign to stimulate and promote the use of solar energy. Our local council also makes available a sun chart, which allows residents to check if their roof is suitable for solar energy installations and provides an indication of how much this could potentially save on their own household energy bills. The province provides so called ‘solar loans’. We also encourage and financially support local commu-nity groups with energy saving projects or sustainable energy in-itiatives. The local council in has assisted Westlaren (Zuidlaren) in setting up a neighbourhood team which is closely involved in sustainable energy projects. This included the organising of a village energy market, which saw many people invest in insula-tion materials, double glazing and solar panels.

Rainwater -> outflow into the environment

Purification by water board

Storage settling basin -> reed fields -> outflow into the environment

At peak times, waste water is purified by water plants (Reed fields 1996) and discharged into leisure areas and/or zones which have high environmental value such as the Zuidlaardervaart and the Zuidlaardermeer

SEPARATED SEWER SYSTEM

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Local council buildings and property have all been equipped with solar panels, heat pump technology, heat-cold storage and additional insulation. The town hall has also been supplied with a sedum roof. Sustainable energy and the reduction of energy use in external spaces increasingly play an important role. Street lighting for example is progressively being up-graded with LED lighting and at night parts of the light-ing grid are dimmed or turned off. One provincial cycling route near Zuidlaren uses push button lighting; lighting on demand, in other words.

There are several innovative developments in the use of materials for external spaces. The local council en-deavours to use as many state-of-the-art improvements as possible. Examples include low noise road surfaces, phasing out the use of shells and the construction of in-filtration sewage systems (both horizontal and vertical).

2.3 Waste reduction measuresWaste has been separated out and collected on a ‘by-weight’ tar-iff basis since 2000, with the aim of making the generator pay. Zuidlaren manages to achieve an average of 65% separation. The policy was evaluated in 2012 and included consulting the resi-dents on ways to improve upon the separation of waste and re-use. Since 2013, this has resulted in the pre-sorting of plastics. All organic waste is composted or used to collect biogas through a fermenting process. The standard waste streams of glass, paper and textiles have been separated out from the general waste and recycled by our residents for decades. Indeed, some clothing collected is even good enough to be reused.

• COMPOSTING AND THE REUSE OF ORGANIC WASTE All organic waste available to the local council is used and/or reused for various purposes: Grass cuttings from banks and verges are removed to the fermen-tation plant. Leaves and ‘dirty’ wood are composted, branches and cuttings are shredded and delivered to the power plants. High quality timber is destined for furniture making or construc-tion. In selected locations, branches or trunks are left to com-post to help the natural regeneration of flora and fauna.

2.4 Buildings, quality and maintenanceWe own a number of properties, which of course need to be maintained. For example sports facilities, halls, swimming pools and fire stations, as well as church towers and a number of mul-ti-use buildings and two mills. The maintenance level is pitched at ‘simple and effective’. This indicates that work will be carried out when required and/or when materials need to be treated or replaced.In Zuidlaren key buildings have been identified as image de-fining structures (in the development plan), or as provincial or national monuments. These structures attract additional condi-tions with regard to their look and maintenance. Both provincial and national governments provide (temporary) subsidies to-wards this, however the availability of this help is often limited. The management of these buildings and structures is therefore chiefly the responsibility of the owner.

• OLD BUILDINGS - NEW USESThere are many buildings in Zuidlaren where the original func-tion has become obsolete, which are being brought back into use with an entirely new purpose in mind. One arresting exam-ple is ‘De Kazerne’; a whole neighbourhood spatially laid out to emphasise the position of the former military barracks. The complex’s main building, dating from the nineteen thirties, now functions as an office building. Other examples include the gath-ering space at the ‘Walakker’ graveyard, formerly a farm, and the old station building in the centre of the village which has adopted a number of new, contemporary functions.

• MONUMENTAL STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGSZuidlaren as a village enjoys a rich history. There were already people living in Drenthe around 6000 years ago. Traces of an inhabited settlement have been discovered near Zuidlaren (in Midlaren) which date from approximately the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages. The first written records on the village of Zuidlaren are from 1160. The forest meadows were gradually settled in this period to become farmsteads and, partly due to inheritances, building increased. These buildings were concen-trated mostly around the borders of the old farmsteads.

By the 11th century, these farmsteads contained so many build-ings that cattle were put out to graze on the meadows and in the stream valleys. It was around this time that new farming techniques were introduced. The second half of the 19th cen-tury saw the heather meadows cleared on a large scale and an increase in building within the village. Many farms disappeared

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and the buildings constructed in this period clearly demonstrate the influence of the 1901 housing act. These regulations de-manded that the ground floor level of houses was to be con-structed above street level. The new houses were supplied with a raised entrance, a front step which later morphed into gardens. These front gardens in effect became a buffer zone between public and private life. Some parts of the village feature much deeper front gardens; a direct result of more recent changes to the village plan.

As indicated in the Structure Plan, the history of how the village came into being and the original structures provide important markers. The local council therefore gives due attention to its culturally and historically significant structures and monuments. What happens to these is the principle driving force for new developments. In some instances, the existing structure is add-ed to or reinforced with new elements, whilst in other plac-es reconstruction is the preferred option. In the ‘Oude Tolweg’ neighbourhood for example, old windbreaks dating from the pe-riod of the heather clearances in the second half of the 19th century have been restored. Residential areas, which breathe a 21th century atmosphere, have also been created in this green environment.

Listed areaA large part of Zuidlaren’s centre was awarded listed status by the national government in 1967. Additional rules and regulations are in place here to preserve the character of the houses and other structures, as well as the green areas. The historic centre therefore benefits from a high degree of protection.

2.5 Streetscape and street furnitureThe public space is neat and orderly. The finishes and the street furniture are well considered and location sensitive. Zuidlaren’s shopping district for example exudes a different, higher quality approach to paving, seating, lampposts, bins, etc than the ad-jacent neighbourhoods. An expression of the centre’s distinct status, however this of course also demands a higher level of maintenance. The rest of the village has functional and uniform streetscapes and street furniture, creating a more homogenised image. In the centre, pedestrian and cycle areas have been sep-arated out from the other traffic, which enhances the safety

aspect. In the external spaces, art works are difficult to miss. Cultural history, nature and art lend strength to each other in Zuidlaren.

• RESPONSIBLE USE OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTSMaintenance is performed in accordance with the official ‘Green List of herbicides’. For example, weed control is performed me-chanically rather than with chemicals. This is vital as the village is located partly in a potable water collection zone. We also work to the Silver level of the ‘Sustainable Terrain Management Barometer’ and expect to receive our certification later this year at this same level.

• ORDER AND CLEANLINESSThe basic premise is to see that everything remains clean and safe. To ensure that work is carried out properly, the council’s own service department and the employment agency handle small maintenance jobs in-house. This includes the cleaning

of external spaces, maintaining traffic signage, benches and/or other street furniture, emptying bins, etc. Special investigative officers with enforcement powers mount daily patrols to keep a tight control on littering and illegal dumping. Something which is complemented by a comprehen-sive local schools based programme aimed at educating kids on the issues surrounding litter, among other things to mitigate the effects of the so called ‘candy routes’. Graffiti falls under the lev-el ‘basic’, the quality level set for external spaces. This accepts that a limited amount of graffiti is tolerable, however wherever this impacts negatively on the street image, the graffiti is re-moved. Fly-posting or the erecting of illegal boards or signage is strictly monitored and countered.

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Listed area

old buildings - new uses

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3 Nature and landscape

3.1 PolicyThe Tynaarlo landscape development plan is the guiding prin-ciple for our landscape. The plan has been distilled from col-laboration between the local council and a large representative sounding-board group. It supplies further detailing per sector regarding the natural and landscape elements within our inte-gral structure plan (2006). It also analyses and describes the qualities and the ambitions we have for our landscape.

It is a vision which we utilise as a guide in any spatial develop-ment that may impact the landscape. This landscape develop-ment plan helps us make the right choices for the management and performance of projects in our natural areas. It is also a vision which will provide a source of inspiration for everyone involved in landscape development over the next ten years. The aim is to maintain as well as reinforce the green qualities and natural radiance of our landscape and renew these whenever and wherever required. Numerous ambitions set out in the land-scape development plan have already been successfully imple-mented over the past few years.

3.2 BiodiversityFrom policy to performance and management, biodiversity plays a critical role. Among other things we use flowering field borders and even sheep to manage our green spaces. This is comple-mented by restoring and promoting biodiversity in hedgerows and shrubs by sowing wild flowers, both in the outer fields and in the village centres. We also encourage and facilitate initiatives by third parties, such as the ‘Flowery Fields’ project by Agricultural Nature Soci-ety of Drenthe.

• NATURAL HABITATSThe local council has subscribed to the National Databank Flora and Fauna (NDFF) since 2013. This is the Netherlands’ most com-prehensive nature databank, providing and archiving informa-tion about sightings of rare and protected plants and animals. Containing only validated data, it provides an early indicator into the feasibility of plans. It is an invaluable resource when preparing projects, ensuring that risks are manageable, whilst mitigating the threat of damage to the natural environment. Indeed nature may even reap the benefits. It also makes it easier for the council to communicate its genuine green credentials. By utilising the NDFF, the threat of ‘unexpected nature’ is signifi-cantly reduced. And of course there is the financial benefit, as fewer risks means more efficient work, resulting in fewer costs.

We do not work with a flora and fauna code specific to the Ty-naarlo local council, but rather follow the ‘Stadswerk’ general code of conduct.

3.3 Managing the surrounding landscapeThe areas surrounding the village and the village’s outer bor-ders are key to the quality of the landscape. For the most part, village and landscape easily merge and connect; nature is never far away. Attractive routes and paths lead out from the village, offering pleasant walks. The relationship between the village and its environs has a long history; the agricultural use of the landscape by the villagers has contributed to the forming of the landscape and the village environment. The most eye catching examples are the two ‘essen’ or high lying farm fields, located to the north and south of the village. In a previous era these high open spaces were used for grazing cattle. In winter, the fields were raised by depositing manure from deep litter stables, a pro-cess to which they owe their humped form and prolific fertility. It is notable that these fields, which were once surrounded by

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green borders, were never planted with lanes of trees. However, small isolated copses do appear dotted around in their vicinity.

We strive to achieve a healthy eco system by promoting bio-diversity, through ecological management and by encouraging wild flora and grazing. Where opportunities arise, working to-gether with (local) private and other government bodies, we try as far as possible to realise these objectives. This may involve very large projects of hundreds of hectares, implementing exten-sive ambitions regarding nature, water collection and storage projects, flora and fauna, tourism and recreation. The ‘Tusschen-water’ plan is just one good example of how all these issues are managed at a regional level. Conversely, there are also projects of a much smaller scale, such as the restoration of individual landscape elements or private farmyards.

Where possible, we try to:- stimulate multiple uses of the landscape surrounding the vil-

lage; for ramblers, cyclists and horse riders alike, with attrac-tive routes which connect to the heart of the village

- strengthen the landscape quality of the village edges and the village environment, for example by replanting the borders of the high fields.

• VILLAGE AND LANDSCAPE CONNECTIONZuidlaren has many landscape transition zones; something spe-cifically highlighted in the landscape development plan. These zones are often based on natural abiotic gradients, such as the transition between stream valleys and the ridges.

The transition zones form attractive locations for experiencing the landscape, something we strongly wish to encourage. These zones clarify the landscape and contribute towards the experi-encing of contrasts. We also try to reinforce the transition zones and the natural gradients, by among other things enhancing the diversity of plants and animal life. One striking example of this is the transition between the Hunze valley and the Honds-rug ridge close to Zuidlaren. This includes hedgerows planted at right angles to the line of the village border. The hedgerows, which belong to the local council, are FSC certified and managed according to an integrated forestry management system.

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4 Public green

4.1 Function for climate and healthA green living environment exerts a positive effect on all the residents, and provides ample recreational opportunities and possibilities. Inside the village they deliver a pleasant living environment, create space and quiet; spaces where you can walk, play or meet with your friends and neighbours. Green are-as beyond the village, together with the woods, are utilised for leisure, sports, exploration, excursions and offer attractive and often striking walking and cycling routes.

4.2 Gardens and parksZuidlaren has a number of (historical) gardens and parks. These are mostly private property, however they are open to the public. Examples include:

• Laarwoud; a house and one time park featuring woods with paths in star patterns and groups of trees (designed by An-tonie Coulon approx. 1750).

• Dennenoord; the current Lentis grounds (a psychiatric hospi-tal from 1890). A park was added to the original design, for at the time there was a strong belief that patients would benefit from a green environment. It has the appearance of a ‘village within the village’.

• Noorder health centre (1935, architect Egbert Reitsema) with a garden designed by architect de Vroome.

There are six wooded areas in the vicinity of Zuidlaren owned by the local council (approx. 50 ha in total). The woods are all within walking distance of the village and extensively used and enjoyed by the local residents who consider them to be the ‘village woods’. The woods are FSC certified and there is a

forestry management plan in place. This plan conforms to a so called ‘integrated forest management’ system. This means that we endeavour to give the highest priority to the environmental and experience value, as well as combining this with timber production.

The ring of green spaces in the centre of the village is essential to Zuidlaren. Originally these greens would have been located towards the edge of the village, but now form an integral part of it. The spaces are highly prized, popular with local residents and are a key element of community life. The ‘Brinken man-agement plan’ was specifically drafted (in cooperation with the residents) for these greens. The ‘plan’ sets out and records their preservation.

4.3 Graveyards There are three municipal graveyards in Zuidlaren: De Oude Co-evorderweg (1850), the Walakker (1990) and a Jewish grave-yard (now closed) reserved for a number of Jewish families. The Walakker graveyard is currently in use. It is located near the large high field south of Zuidlaren, in a former farmstead yard. The old house and stables now function as a gathering space. Part of the burial ground was designed during the nineteen sev-enties and has a distinct form: the fields radiate out from the buildings.

A later extension is sympathetic to the earlier planning, whilst creating a link with the adjacent high field. The design binds together the three parts of the graveyard with a single long lane. There is an urn wall sited at the end of the lane. Various forms of interment are used in the burial ground: normal graves next to each other, double deep graves (two graves; one below the other) with urn crypts and the urn wall.

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4.4 Sport and play There are 33 playing fields spread throughout Zuidlaren, includ-ing seven school playgrounds. One neighbourhood team mem-ber is tasked with inspecting, managing and maintaining the grounds. Safety, responsibility and upkeep are the key elements of the maintenance programme. The basic principles and ob-jectives regarding the grounds and their use are set out in the ‘room to play’ plan. Zuidlaren also has 12 individual sports facilities, ranging from small fields where a ball can be kicked about to locations specif-ically designed for basketball, tennis, hockey, netball and pétan-que. Zuidlaren was one of the first in the Netherlands to have an artificial (blue) hockey field.

4.5 Maintenance and cleaningManagement of the external spaces is carried out in accordance with a quality level set by the local council. The current level is described as ‘simple and thorough’ (known as level 6), and is detailed in the ‘Management of Public Spaces’ plan. This plan gives a visual representation of the management of public spac-es with regard to quality and the results desired. Parts of the graveyards and the village centre have been elevated to a higher maintenance level (level 8). Prominence is placed on safeguarding a solid and sustainable approach over time; this is particularly important for elements subject to long-term maintenance cycles such as pavements and trees. The aim is to maintain the desirable (green) qualities to an excellent standard and wherever and whenever required, rein-force these to provide a solid base, whilst placing the emphasis on the appropriate places.

4.6 Streams and lakesZuidlaren is sited between the Drentsche Aa river and the Zuid-laardermeer lake. Both waters are protected by European Natura 2000, enjoy a high level of green value and are attractive rec-reational areas. In addition, the Drentsche Aa forms part of the ‘Beek en esdorpenlandschap de Drentsche Aa’ national park. The starting premise for the spatial policy is ‘preservation through development’. The Zuidlaardermeer area offers water sports, rec-reation amenities and accommodation. The Drentsche Aa is fa-voured by walkers, horse riders and those who appreciate and enjoy the natural environment.

4.7 Waterways, banks and pondsA management plan has been produced for the management and control of waterways. This means that the waterways are in-spected and cleaned annually. With the overflow channels this is done twice a year. Other waterways are cleaned in phases, taking into account small fauna. Dredging excess sludge from pools and ponds depends upon the amount of accumulation. The level of sludge is surveyed every ten years. Groundwater levels at a number of places in Zuidlaren are relatively deep (5-9 metre < ground level), putting some pools and ponds under the threat of drying up. To prevent this they have been lined with a bottom layer of loam. There is significant variation in the water levels, some locations for example experience the water table as little more than 0.5 meter below the surface.

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5 Planting

5.1 Permanent plantingZuidlaren is a village with open green spaces; the structure of these spaces together with the accompanying ponds and the surrounding farmsteads remains visible. The open spaces can be clearly identified on the tree structure plan. The greens are an important part of the village’s history and once functioned as space for grazing cattle and timber production. A number of these open spaces partly owe their scale and dimensions to the requirement for accommodating the annual market (the Zuid-laardermarkt). This market has been held here since 1200.

• TREES AND UNDERGROWTHThe manner in which the village is set out results, both directly and indirectly, from the origins of the area and how this has evolved over time. In our naturally green countryside village, simplicity is still key to our vision. One example of a plan closely fitting with this notion is the use of simple areas of grass and trees.

The way the trees are laid out is Zuidlaren’s most important green planning element. This applies equally to both the old centre and the village’s more recent neighbourhoods; green open spaces are vital to all areas. The trees enjoy a high level of pro-tection, recorded in various policy documents including the tree structure plan, the village green structure plan and the monu-mental tree plan. We also offer financial and practical support to the owners of listed trees to help maintain these important landmarks. We collaborate closely with the Drenthe landscape protection and management organisation in implementing this.

• HEDGES, SHRUBS AND PERENNIALSComplementary to the primary lay-out of grass and trees, the external spaces are further enhanced and strengthened by hedg-es and sections planted with shrubs and perennials. Hedges are used extensively within the village. They often form the link be-tween the green, the open spaces and the network of streets, or are used to enhance the external spaces. The main road through the village is lined by hedges, making it a recognisable compo-nent of the village.

In the ‘De Kazerne’ neighbourhood, site of the former military barracks, large sections have been planted with perennials. Perennials and flowering plants have also been planted in the centre of the village, to enhance the atmosphere of the smaller domestic streets, and at selected points and junctures such as the entrance to the village, the graveyards and (war) memorials. ‘You don’t need to overdo it, just be selective about where you place the emphasis’

• QUALITY, QUANTITY, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND POLICY Shrubs and sections planted with perennials have their effect on a smaller scale. When furnishing spaces our objective is that they contribute positively towards optimising what the external space has to offer. Therefore shrubs and sections with perennials are only planted if they deliver additional value to the external space being considered. This can have both an aesthetic value and a practical function, for example if used in routing traffic or for screening off. Policy to this effect was included in the ‘Green Village Plan’. The objective here is to improve connection between the built up areas with the landscape, to identify the connection of green structures in the various centres and to stimulate diversity in both the lay-out and the range of green. The Green Village Plan

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indicates which locations require planting in the form of hedges, shrubs and perennials. It also shows whether the planting func-tions as landscaping, as cultural/historical greenery, as traffic routing, as green highlights or as neighbourhood green.

The quality of public greenery is continuously monitored. If the planting has become too old and/or is in need of replacement, a lay-out plan will be developed, in collaboration with the res-idents. Various elements are considered in this plan, including the decorative value of leaves, flowers, fruits and (autumn) col-ours and, when considering maintenance and management, the forms and manner of growth. The work involved is mostly performed by the local council. Neighbourhood management teams possess the appropriate ex

perience and are able to work flexibly considering their intimate knowledge of all aspects of the village and its environs. After planting, the same people are in charge of maintenance; there-fore construction and management come under a single control, which ensures that quality and commitment are consistently high.

Map of the tree structure plan Three categories have been determined:Cultural/historical structure (brown)Primary structure (green) Secondary structure (blue)

6 Seasonal planting

6.1 Seasonal planting Zuidlaren is more recognised for its historic atmosphere, its old tree planning and open greens than its floral displays. The char-acter of the village does not demand much in the way of exuber-ant decoration. For this reason, the seasonal planting and the flowering highlights are carefully selected to complement the centuries’ old village image. Examples include the spring bulbs in the village greens, regional spring flowers and the use of wild flora towards the village borders. Only the centre of the village and the old graveyards are highlighted by single flower arrangements in tubs and the planting of annuals.

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7 Education and participation

7.1 Environmental educationThe local council has been working for a number of years with the IVN (the institute for environmental education and sustain-ability). This organisation performs programmes on environmen-tal and ecological education for primary schools within the local council catchment area. They develop initiatives such as climate cycle trips and have set up a butterfly garden in Zuidlaren. They undertake to involve schools in the environment and have en-couraged the ‘adoption’ of green spaces and lots, where local schoolchildren become actively involved in the maintenance. Every year we participate in a tree celebration festival; a fan-tastic opportunity for getting kids, young people and students to connect with their direct living environment. The IVN also participates in this, organising a fun, educational programme celebrating trees.

From the local council’s side, we like to encourage the young to participate in sports, to play and to get moving. We have appointed a number of so called ‘combination officers’ to implement the sports and activity policy, liaising closely with sports clubs, schools, after school care and communi-ty and wellbeing organisations. For example, the Zuidlar-en sports club ‘de Dobberieders’ have introduced a youth di-vision of its mountain bike club. Another example is the ‘healthy four evenings walk’ programme, which emphasis a

healthy lifestyle by being active, having fun and eating prop-erly; one local initiative which has been picked up nationally.

7.2 Community effort, cooperation and participationCommunication and participation are part of every project. For this reason we have devel-oped a policy under the title ‘Balancing action and support’. We like to involve the residents

as far as possible in the design, development and the planning of the external space. We do this in a variety of ways, for exam-ple in the process of optimising green areas and when develop-ing and executing plans for the public space. Involving residents can take many forms; from simply handing out information to making room for extensive participation in the development of planning and design detailing.

Communication and cooperation not only takes place with indi-vidual residents, but also with neighbourhood groups, interest groups, sports clubs, schools, IVN, environmental organisations and associations and the advisory council for the countryside and small communities. The local council’s countryside coordi-nator is the central point of contact for all these parties and stakeholders.

• VOLUNTARY GROUPS AND COOPERATIONWe are aware that we are only one of numerous local landowners. Regarding the external space, we share our influence and role

• QUALITY, QUANTITY, COLOUR Both in colour use and quantity, Zuidlaren can best be described as modest in its seasonal planting and use of flower tubs. As previously mentioned, the direct environment dictates the ap-proach. For a number of years, flower tubs were placed on the Zuidlaren roundabout. The roundabout is currently being rede-signed in close cooperation with the village’s association of en-trepreneurs. As it is the gateway to the central area and forms part of the village entrance, it is one of the few node points highlighted by colourful planting.

In addition, every year 1000 annuals are planted out at the entrance to the graveyard. Annuals are also planted to decorate the (war) memorials as and when required.

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with other landowners, managers and organisations. As we would like to safeguard and maintain the landscape, harmonising and cooperating with the various parties is essential. These parties include environment and landscape protection organisations, such as Natuurmonumenten (society for preservation of natural monuments), Staatsbosbeheer (organisation for the control and conservation of Dutch nature reserves) and Drents Landschap (a nature protection organisation), as well as private landowners and farmers. Other stakeholders we work with include AOC Terra (the ‘green’ school) and residents’ groups, for example Land-schapsbeheer Drenthe (landscape protection and management organisation) and the IVN (environmental education), who both use volunteers for maintenance and management. We talk with various groups of residents and organisations, in a bid to get them interested in adopting responsibility for the management of plots in or around their own neighbourhood or perhaps elsewhere in the green belt. One example is the ‘Berk-enbosch’ neighbourhood in Zuidlaren, which is being maintained by local residents. Last year the local council signed a ‘bee covenant’ with bee-keepers’ groups, and donated three beehives to the local bee organisations, to be sited in a public place. One idea flowing from this is to construct a ‘bee wood’, something which will start this year.

• RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN UP BY RESIDENTS Residents regularly submit requests or present (green) initia-tives concerning the village or surrounding landscape. When residents form a group and generate ideas which may enrich the external space, we like to join them when considering the possibilities, the financing and the performance. Within the vil-lages this can involve quite simple things, such as looking after benches, remembrance trees, the construction of a path or art in the public area. Via our countryside coordinator, contacts with residents living beyond the village can be intensive, ensuring that requests and initiatives are flagged up as rapidly as possible. For example one large scale project known as “Restoration of privately owned landscape elements” has managed to revive private yards, fields and other vital landscape elements. With co-funding by various governmental bodies, some 400,000 euro was spent on land-scaping property in private hands. We are fully aware that pri-vately owned green makes a considerable addition to the quality of our local council area.

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8 Recreation and tourismThe local council takes on board the responsibility for providing the ‘Green Lung’ for the urban region of Groningen-Assen. This delivers an important contribution towards the quality of living, working and leisure in the area. Ours is an attractive place to live in, with a high quality recreation and tourism infrastructure. All of this of course lends strength to the economy.

8.1 Marketing and development policyRecreation and tourism are firmly anchored in the Structure Plan. The policy has a number of key points:• Recreation and water; the Zuidlaardermeer and the Zuidlaard-

ervaart are extremely popular, summer and winter, for sailing, ice skating, etc. There are numerous boat hire operators, such as Berend Botje and campsite De Bloemert.

• Recreation and the natural environment; Zuidlaren is sur-rounded by prized landscapes such as the national park ‘Na-tionaal Beek – en esdorpenlandschap de Drenthe Aa’ and the ‘Natura 2000’ area.

• Recreation transition zone; the emphasis focuses on a city to countryside transition zone.

• Recreation and agriculture; space for recreational initiatives in principally agricultural areas.

Concrete activities for this include co-funding sustainable ini-tiatives by third parties, as well as participating in the preser-vation and strengthening of National Park/Landschap Drentsche Aa and the development of Unesco Geopark. As a stakeholder in Groningen Airport Eelde (GAE), sited within our boundaries, we back the Green Sustainable Airports project. This initiative seeks green solutions to reduce the negative impact of air travel on the environment, whilst providing a guiding light for sustaina-ble development. The airport also offers ample opportunity for developing tourism.

8.2 Appeal and infrastructure The village of Zuidlaren has much to offer and appeals to a di-verse public. It has an attractive centre with shops, restaurants and bars and boasts tourist draws, including the trade fair com-plex, the mill with its museum, and historically cultural magnets such as the dolmen. The village’s atmosphere plays a vital role which is generated by the open green spaces in combination

with the historic centre and the monumental buildings. Ample recreational opportunities exist in a variety of countryside set-tings immediately adjacent to Zuidlaren. These include the Na-tional Park Drentsche Aa and the Zuidlaardermeer which offer an extensive network of walking, cycling and horse riding routes; there is something for everyone. The markets and annual events pull in enthusiastic crowds. The Zuidlaardermarkt, the largest horse market in Europe, is internationally recognised, and will be held for the 814th time later this year. In combination with the general wares market and the fun fair, this event can witness upwards of 150,000 international visitors.

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We were deeply honoured by the invitation to take part in the Entente Florale 2014! Whatever the eventual outcome of the competition, the invitation alone is a recognition that Zuidlaren, together with the other nominated villages, ranks among the greenest villages in Europe. Certainly an achieve-ment to be proud of.

Of course it is not only our work which has made Zuidlaren the green and spacious place it is; Mother Nature deserves her due. Zuidlaren is surrounded by an abundance of rich na-tural resources, which it is our luck to experience every day of the year. Just beyond the borders of the village lies the Zuidlaardermeer, a lake and conservation zone for numerous species including the Eurasian bittern, Bewick’s swan, the Eurasian wigeon, the White-fronted Goose, the spotted crake and the sedge warbler. It also provides a superb recreational facility for people from both far and near. Zuidlaren’s ‘back garden’ is the splendid national park the ‘Nationaal Beek- en Esdorpenlandschap De Drentsche Aa’. Previous generations have left their green mark on the village in various ways, stretching back in unbroken line to the early Middle Ages. It is to them we owe the seven green open spaces the village boasts today. These village greens, bordered by some very old high trees, reveal Zuidlaren’s true character, which has lain intact for centuries: a trading village afloat on a sea of natural green.

You will understand why we as local council together with all our residents are so passionately protective of our village of Zuidlaren; we would like to ensure that the generations to follow are also able to enjoy this beautiful, green village with its rich historic past.

Piet AdemaMayor of Tynaarlo

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Gemeente Tynaarlo:

Kornoeljeplein 19481 AW Vries0592 - 266 662

info@tynaarlo.nl

www.anvdrenthe.nlwww.debloemert.nlwww.dewachter.nlwww.drenthe.nlwww.drentslandschap.nlwww.eendagjedrenthe.nl

www.hvgz.nlwww.geoparkdehondsrug.euwww.ivn.nl/afdeling/zuidlarenwww.landschapsbeheerdrenthe.nlwww.tynaarlo.nlwww.zuidlaren.ergoedpunt.nl21