Participation process for environmental vision
Participation process for environmental vision
An environmental vision sets out the long-term plans for the environment in which we live, work, meet, and relax. It sets out what we want to preserve, strengthen, and develop in our municipality. An environmental vision is an important tool for the municipality: every new plan is assessed against it. Given the importance and impact of the environmental vision on the future of our municipality, we believe it is important that this vision is developed together with you.
Working together towards an environmental vision in three steps
Our process for developing an environmental vision consists of three steps. As a resident, you have the opportunity to contribute your ideas at each step. The three steps are briefly outlined below:
Step 1: a good start
In the first step, we will work on a clear overview of the ambitions and challenges in West Maas en Waal. This includes, for example, the challenge of new construction, energy transition, but also what facilities we will need in the future. We will obtain this overview by:
- Discussions with municipal policy officers (the ‘policy thinkers’)
- Discussions with representatives from the municipality (the "area thinkers"). Read the complete report of the working session with the regional thinkers.
These regional thinkers consist of three groups:- the villages (with representation from village platforms, for example)
- the rural area (including, for example, farmers and the water board)
- the recreation area (with, for example, recreation entrepreneurs)
- A questionnaire for all residents and entrepreneurs. Read the results of the questionnaire(11.1 MB).
This information gives us a good overview of what is happening in the municipality. Based on this, we determine the possible courses of action in step 2.
Step 2: course for environmental vision
In the second step, we explore the ambitions and challenges in greater depth:
- We define the most important priorities for each theme.
We do this together with policy and regional thinkers. - Based on this, we are developing a 'selection tool'
. This tool visualizes the main choices for the various tasks. It shows the options available for the various tasks and the possible areas or locations for certain tasks. Sometimes tasks can be combined, but sometimes they cannot and choices have to be made. We use this selection tool to weigh up the options. We do this together with policy makers, area planners, and residents. - A tour of all villages
Together with residents, we provide insight into the choices available and what you, as a resident, think of these choices.
Step 3: design environmental vision
In the third step, we will develop the specific course for the environmental vision based on all the input.
- Together with policy makers and regional planners, we are drawing up a draft report on the environmental vision. Read the report dated November 7, 2023.
- Opportunity to respond(572 KB) to the draft report for all residents.
- With this input, we create what is known as the draft environmental vision.
- Presentation of the environmental vision design to the municipal executive and the municipal council. They will be kept regularly informed during the development process.
- The final environmental vision will be available for inspection. Residents can still submit their comments to the municipality.
- The municipal council ultimately adopts the environmental vision. From that moment on, it becomes policy that guides the municipality. We use this to assess all plans and initiatives.