Councillor Eddie Förster (Urban Development): "This step will accelerate the development of ’t Zoet. On Haveneiland, alongside housing, we are making plenty of room for street sports and street culture. In this way, this part of ’t Zoet is also developing into a vibrant place where young people, creators and visitors can let their hair down and feel at home. I am proud that we are tackling this together with our partners and the local community. In this way, we are building a place that fits with the Breda of tomorrow, a development that not only the developers and the council, but the whole city is looking forward to."

Haveneiland, currently still partly used as an industrial estate and known for temporary venues such as STEK and Belcrum Beach, is set to develop into a vibrant, highly urban neighbourhood in the coming years. A place where living, leisure, sport and culture come together. With features including a local shopping centre and an urban park for street sports and culture, the area will develop its own distinctive character. This ambition is shared by SDK Vastgoed, AM, the City of Breda and De Hoge Dennen, owner of the current Jumbo and Aldi on Haveneiland.

Jaap van Engelshoven, Director of Development at AM: “In recent years, Breda has shown that the city dares to build neighbourhoods with character, quality and ambition. With Hero van Breda, we have seen just how great the need is for places that are not only sustainable, but where people also truly feel at home. I see that same energy for Haveneiland: a vibrant urban district with space for greenery, social interaction and activity. A place where urban dynamism and the character of the surroundings come together, without losing sight of the existing DNA.”

Under the memorandum of understanding, the parties have agreed to jointly investigate the feasibility of the plans in greater detail and to develop them further. During this phase, they will work together with local residents and other stakeholders to establish a shared vision for the development. This will eventually form the basis for the new urban district. Haveneiland will provide space for housing, a local shopping centre serving Belcrum and ’t Zoet, and various amenities, including the urban park.

Niels Langenhuizen: “These are the projects that demonstrate what area development can mean for the future of a city. Together with all the partners involved, we at SDK Vastgoed are working on a future-proof living environment for a new part of Breda. In doing so, we are fulfilling our role as a partner to the city, just as we do in leading area developments such as the Spoorzone in Tilburg and Strijp-S in Eindhoven.”