Future vision 2050: Limburg thinks big and far ahead

On February 26 - shortly after the Cabinet was on the platform in The Hague - Province of Limburg presented its future vision 'TV2050'. This took place symbolically at the watchtower at the Drielandenpunt, one of the most border-crossing locations in the country. 'TV2050' is an invitation to administrators and decision makers to keep thinking big about the long-term future of Limburg and to act on it together.

Invitation to think big

The vision that is now before us is a starting point and carries the promise that it can fuel debates, conversations and meetings in a way that entices administrators, elected officials, civil servants and other stakeholders to think decades ahead. In this way, even more effective responsibility can be taken for galvanizing Limburg's opportunities and challenges. After the event on Feb. 26, the Limburg Future Vision will be discussed in Provincial Councils in early March.

Governor Roemer: "The making of this vision has taken a year and a half. It now coincides perfectly with the arrival of the minority government, which wants to come up with major breakthroughs, think far ahead and will have to cooperate intensively. This timing is ideal. As a member of parliament or as a minister, you only have to put the coalition agreement next to our vision of the future and our previous propositions and you immediately see opportunities to seize together. A long-term vision can be very helpful in finding broad support for major changes we face as a society.'

No decision-making document

The breadth and depth of the Limburg analysis are striking. The vision shows how strongly housing, economy, energy, mobility and landscape are connected. It is emphatically not a decision-making document, but a rich source to draw from, for administrators of today and tomorrow.

Roemer: 'What I am proud of is that it was said: now draw out which way it could go with Limburg and then put on the political hat later. From time to time, each member of the Limburg Executive Committee clearly has his or her own color - and that makes perfect sense. But at the same time there is a very clear sense that progress only comes into view if you do it together, if you try to understand the other and that we should not be busy sticking plasters on the short term. With the vision of the future we now have something in our hands that we can benefit from in our province for years to come. After the presentation on February 26, we will also discuss this in Provincial Council in early March, a meeting I am already looking forward to.'

Presentation to SER Chairman Kim Putters

During the presentation, Governor Emile Roemer handed the future vision to SER Chairman Kim Putters, followed by a panel discussion with representatives of government, business and civil society organizations. The vision was already shared via the provincial website several weeks prior to the afternoon, so visitors to the presentation could have their conversations about the future of Limburg with additional depth and based on solid analysis.