Science Shop: ‘Preserve characteristic buildings in North Groningen’

Small property developers are very important for the maintenance of characteristic buildings. That is the conclusion reached in research conducted by the Economics and Management & Organization Science Shop. In villages in the Groningen countryside, such buildings are falling into disrepair and they are actually very suitable for small-scale retail property or for residential purposes. The housing corporations and large property developers who dominate the construction market in North Groningen are not interested in these buildings. This could be a gap in the market for small property developers.

The research concentrates on property developer Heerenhuys, specialized in the redesignation of characteristic buildings. Heerenhuys wants to give characteristic buildings a useful purpose, such as sheltered housing, starters apartments, combinations of work and residential purposes, etc. With the help of the so-called ‘green-light model’ Heerenhuys can assess whether or not a building has sufficient redevelopment potential.

In order to give derelict properties in small villages a useful purpose, Heerenhuys must first be regarded as a discussion partner by local government officials. This has been complicated in recent years by the fact that municipalities have fixed agreements with housing corporations. However, the province and the municipalities now seem to be realising the importance of small property developers for the preservation of characteristic buildings. Even the housing corporations seem to be more open to the importance of third parties.