Inspiring working visit to ROM-D in the Drecht cities

In mid-October, a broad delegation of entrepreneurs, council members and aldermen from Key Region Leiden visited the Drechtsteden. Purpose: to gain inspiration from the successful approach of ROM-D, as an example for our own Spatial Development Company Business Parks (ROM-B). A boat sailed past the various ROM-D projects, during which ROM-D employees explained their projects. In view of the upcoming wish and objection procedure for council members in the Leiden region, this boat trip offered ample opportunity to ask questions and discover how a ROM works in practice.

Boat tour of projects

The visit started in Zwijndrecht. After a welcome by alderman Tycho Jansen, project leader Otto Verschoor told about ‘project Pier 14’. This is a business park on the Oude Maas that has been successfully developed.

The group then boarded the boat. After a welcoming speech by Dordrecht alderman Burggraaf, the delegation departed for a tour of sites in Dordrecht, Alblasserdam and Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. Various presentations were given during the tour, with the projects clearly visible from the water. Paul Vismans then provided the general introduction about the added value of a ROM. The approach to Dordrecht Dolderman (old and new location) and the 2nd and 3rd Merwedehaven was then discussed by project managers Paul Tankink and Sjoerd Ooms, the Nedstaal site by project manager Richard Boot, the Waterbusplein by Paul Vismans and Dordtse Kil I and II by Otto Verschoor and Madelon Soeteman.

Guts and decisiveness

The guest speakers spoke enthusiastically about their ROM-D approach, but emphasized that guts and decisiveness are essential to realizing complex projects together. Especially dealing with the unprofitable top of projects was discussed. The working method here was clear: the investment is borne together, with risk management as the priority.

And the results were impressive! The benefits of a ROM were convincingly explained: enabling developments that would otherwise get stuck, densification and sustainability, making work with work and realizing social benefits such as maintaining and increasing employment. ROM-D makes this possible and that gives municipalities and entrepreneurs a lot of energy to put their backs into new projects.

Establishment of ROM Business Parks.

The establishment of a ROM-B in the Leiden region is a pilot from Holland Rijnland’s Regional Investment Agenda (RIA) and is being implemented by Key Region Leiden. The proposal is for the municipalities involved to invest together in an investment fund, realizing not only economic but also social goals. With a successful start, other municipalities from Holland Rijnland can join in an upscaling.

Our common goal is to work together through the ROM-B to create sustainable, green and attractive working environments where businesses can grow and people enjoy working. This visit has inspired us to continue building on that with full energy.