Urhahn has drawn up the strategic vision ‘Eindhoven Centraal’ for the municipality of Eindhoven. This vision serves as the basis for large-scale area and infrastructure investments in the city center and the station area. Based on this vision, the central government, the province of Noord-Brabant and the municipality of Eindhoven decided to invest around € 20 million in the large-scale development of the station environment, in December 2017. The international train to Düsseldorf becomes reality.

 

Brainport Eindhoven is doing well. The economic growth figures are impressive. In recent decades, a powerful economic ecosystem around technology, design and knowledge (TDK) has emerged in this region. Brainport Eindhoven is of great value for the Netherlands as an economic engine and explicitly positions itself as part of Brabantstad. In order to remain competitive and remain attractive for knowledge workers and companies, the city must improve the business climate of the city center. ‘Eindhoven Centraal’ forms the basis for this. The development of the station environment, the ‘International node XL’ is the major task: a high-quality station environment with (inter)national train connections, fast connections to Eindhoven Airport, distinctive living and working areas and beautiful public spaces. The sign of Brainport Eindhoven and a high quality urban environment that fits in with the high ambitions of the city.

 

The city center is developing rapidly, but still has insufficient autonomous appeal. An important task because ‘knowledge, skills and capital’ is not only seduced by a well-functioning economic ecosystem but also by a high quality of life, good connections, attractive urban living and working environments, a healthy city and an urban culture.

 

Eindhoven ‘International node XL’ is an important project for Brainport, for Brabant, but certainly also for the Netherlands as a whole. It is not for nothing that it is one of the crucial projects in the Spatial Economic Development Strategy (REOS). It contributes to the spatial-economic structure strengthening of the Netherlands. The station will be an efficient transfer machine: from international trains, national and regional trains, high-quality public transportation, first & last mile connections to (fast) cycling and walking routes. The station environment is the place for the new knowledge and services economy: a mixed, activity-friendly, attractive living and working environment. A high quality urban environment with room for living, working and relaxation.