Gemeente Maasmechelen - powerpoint

from coal to leisure

Belgium situated in Europe

Province of Limburg situated in Belgium

Maasmechelen situated in province of Limburg

Maasland (region) situated in province of Limburg

Mining area (Mijnstreek) in province of Limburg

Maasmechelen, former location of a coalmine Beginning 1900: coal was discovered in Limburg Within a period of 25 years: 7 coalmines, 1 coalmine in Eisden, part of Maasmechelen Start production in Eisden: 1923 Total production: around 75 million tons Highest employment: 7.450 miners (1955)

Maasmechelen, former location of a coalmine

Maasmechelen, former location of a coalmine 1987: the Eisden coalmine was closed = social disaster!!!

In the same period Limburg was confronted with the closure of all the other coalmines

Maasmechelen, former location of a coalmine Consequences of the mine closing direct loss of 3000 jobs (coalminers) = mostly men indirect loss of 2000 jobs (textile companies, transport, laundry,..) = mostly women high unemployment unemployed people without any skills or education coalmine site was polluted lots of old, useless buildings

Maasmechelen, former location of a coalmine Biggest problem?

Nor Maasmechelen, nor the wider region was ready to solve these problems Result? lots of strikes, disturbance, protest

the Limburg-Plan Decision – makers took their responsibility: the Limburg – plan a new future for Limburg an agreement between different authorities national government reserved ₏ 250 million for Limburg

the Limburg-Plan Content Limburg – plan education for former coalminers (languages / construction) financial possibilities for the creation of industrial zones search for investors social program (early retirement, premiums)

the Limburg-Plan What did the city of Maasmechelen do?

The city decided to divide its territory into 4 zones: Southern part: industry Center: administration & living Above center: commercial zone Northern part: tourism & recreation

the Limburg-Plan Northern part = former location of coalmine First actions taken: preparing this location for new investors removing old buildings / pollution creating a new access road, parking places, ‌

the Limburg-Plan

the Limburg-Plan

Further actions: search for new investors many candidates with dreams but no money 1995: contacts with a few serious candidates 2001: opening of the first new projects

new projects Art Academy

new projects Movie theatre “Euroscoop”

new projects Maasmechelen Village Outlet Shopping

new projects Shopping Center M2

new projects Sports accommodation

new projects Hotel

new projects French gardens

new projects Marina for yachts

new projects New office of tourism

new projects creation of a National Park

new projects creation of a National Park

new projects creation of a National Park

marketing The big question was: How to sell the new developments to Maasmechelen, Limburg, Flanders, Belgium, Euregio?

Maasmechelen was the first city in Flanders to make a citymarketingplan.

citymarketing The final conclusion of the citymarketingplan: Maasmechelen = leisure destination Leisure = mix of nature, culture, fun shopping, recreation Leisure = unique selling product

citymarketing Nature - National park Hoge Kempen - Maas

citymarketing

citymarketing Culture -

Multicultural community Mining history Events “Maas� - villages

citymarketing

citymarketing Fun - shopping -

Maasmechelen Village Outlet Shopping “Old� Commercial center Shopping Center M2 Restaurants

citymarketing

citymarketing Recreation - (Water) sports - Biking & walking

citymarketing

citymarketing a new image, a new name‌

citymarketing Finances - Private – public cooperation - Every investment = private party - Government = public area

citymarketing City of Maasmechelen was able to invest thanks to the support of: Limburg – plan European community Province of Limburg Tourism Flanders National Government

the future Which developments are necessary?

European call 5 groups reacted – one will be selected to develop the former coalmine site next investments = 2007

the future The city of Maasmechelen hopes to welcome you in