Spatial Development Corporation business parks (ROM-B).

Rationale and purpose summarized

The ROM-B allows us to make better use of space in business parks by densifying, raising and relocating properties.
At the same time, sustainability and modernization of aging real estate can be taken up, along with measures for energy transition, greening and climate adaptation.
This produces broad prosperity that benefits the entire region.
We attach great importance to space for business activity. Perhaps in time this will require looking more broadly than existing sites. We are now making an energetic start on making better use of these existing sites.
The objective of the ROM-B aligns with the ambitions of the state and province to better utilize available space for business parks and make them future-proof.
Cooperation with the province and the state is therefore essential to achieve the ambitions.

Met de ROM-B versterken we de Leidse regio én de Zuid-Hollandse economie

Densify, preserve, green

In our cooperation in the area of business sites in the Leiden region, we are identifying the possibilities for a Spatial Development Company for Business Sites (ROM-B). The ROM-B will enable us to make the economy of the Leiden region future-proof. Through densification, sustainability and greening of the sites. This ensures a balance between living and working and makes an important contribution to broad prosperity. Feasibility studies in 2024 made it clear that there is plenty of support and backing for this among municipalities and representatives of the business community in the Leiden region. The municipalities then continued to explore the possibilities for such a ROM-B together with entrepreneurs (organizations).

‘The ROM-B enables us to make the region economically future-proof and create a green and sustainable working environment for entrepreneurs and employees. In doing so, we contribute to broad prosperity and a sustainable future for our children’.

Future-proof economy

With the ROM-B, Key Region Leiden aims to more effectively address challenges in the areas of land use, sustainability and infrastructure. Particularly in a region where suitable business space is scarce, the ROM-B offers opportunities to smooth plan development. In time, the ROM-B can also contribute – where possible – to the realization of new business parks by transforming areas with currently different functions. Sustainability and supporting energy transitions can be included in this.

The ROM-B can also further play a role in solidifying soft plan capacity.

Soft planning capacity refers to plans that are not yet final. These may be plans that are in early stages, not yet fully legally established, or for which funding and concrete implementation are still uncertain.
Hardening means making these plans more concrete and feasible. This can be done by going through planning procedures, legal fixes, financing, permits or other steps that bring realization closer.
The ROM-B can play an active role in turning vague or preliminary plans into concrete, executable projects. This can be done, for example, by attracting investment, stimulating cooperation or accelerating decision-making.

‘Ruimte voor werk vraagt om samenwerken én daadkrachtig handelen’

The ROM-B in terms

To properly understand the possible operation of the ROM-B, the following concepts are important.

Instrument: The ROM-B is intended as an instrument to achieve spatial and economic goals. In this case, developing business parks and restructuring obsolete areas.
Partnership: The ROM-B could be set up as a partnership between different parties, such as municipalities, province, companies and knowledge institutions. Such a collaboration ensures that different interests and areas of expertise are combined to achieve common goals.
It is intended as an independent organization that can invest in projects. Municipalities are then shareholders. This means that the ROM-B can make its own decisions about where and how resources are deployed to realize desired spatial and economic developments.
It is envisaged that the ROM-B will make use of a revolving fund as a financial instrument: This means that the resources invested in projects will, over time, (largely) flow back into the fund. This money can then be reinvested in new projects, creating a sustainable financing cycle.

Project pipeline

By the end of 2024, municipalities and entrepreneurs (organizations) have mapped the project pipeline. This is as current and complete an overview as possible of opportunities and challenges on business parks with the aim of creating space gains. From this, the first pilot projects can start. The so-called quartermaster phase has also begun. These steps are part of the exploration. There is no question of a ROM-B organization at this stage.

From the seven projects in the project pipeline, four business parks were chosen to get started: ‘t Heen in Katwijk, de Waard in Leiden, Dobbewijk in Voorschoten and Grote Polder in Zoeterwoude.
Currently, the inventory phase is being finalized that will provide a sharper picture of the challenges and opportunities at these business parks, and the quick scan has begun that will delve deeper into the most promising projects with a focus on investment and need for redevelopment.
This is followed by the preparation of business cases for the rolling start-up (see below).

Rolling start

Project pipeline and quick scan act as a “rolling start” with a number of pilot projects designed to gain experience and understanding of the spatial economic needs within the region. This rolling start or pilot phase helps estimate the resources needed for future decision-making and accountability.

‘The ROM-B is an essential tool for sustainable growth and contributes to South Holland’s development desire to become an economic leader.’

Quarterly

Meanwhile, the quartermaster started on March 1, 2025. The purpose of the quartermaster phase is to prepare the decision-making process for the establishment of the ROM-B. From the quartermaster we expect all necessary preparatory actions for this decision. This will enable colleges and councils within Key Region Leiden to make well-informed considerations and decisions about their participation in the ROM-B. The quartermaster will provide insight into matters such as goal, scope, organization, required financial resources, necessary investments and critical success factors.

Paul Vismans gestart als kwartiermaker ROM-B

Necessary budgets

The aim is to have a first picture of the budgets needed for the ROM-B as a revolving fund in time for the budget discussions within the Key Region Leiden municipalities, so that this can be taken into account in the upcoming multi-year estimates of municipalities.

Local governments can support a revolving fund. With such a fund, the idea is that the resources invested (largely) flow back and can be redeployed.

‘The time to act is now. Together with the province, the state and our partners in the region, we want to realize a sustainable economic future that puts South Holland on the map as an example region.’

Decision making and planning

Decision making on the establishment of the ROM-B by the councils of the Key Region Leiden municipalities is expected to take place after the 2026 elections.

Inspirerend werkbezoek aan ROM-Drechtsteden

Scaling up to Holland Rhineland region

The ROM-B is a priority project within the Regional Investment Agenda (RIA) of the Holland Rhineland Region. This will initially be a so-called P3-project (research). If the decision is positive, the research will lead to the development of a business plan resulting in a P2 project (development project) aimed at the realization of a P1 project (investment project). Initially, the municipalities of Key Region Leiden will pull the ROM-B project, hopefully supplemented by financial support from Region Holland Rijnland. Decision making on this has yet to take place. Hereby possible scaling up to Region Holland Rijnland level will be included in the assignment.