A successful first Masterclass on the Omgevingsvisie Zaanstad (Urban Development Plan) ‘for Dummies’ took place on 27 August 2024. A diverse group became acquainted with this important vision document. Anne Langenesch and Mathias Lehner, both co-authors of the vision, gave a brief introduction and room for discussion and questions. For example, how to best read the vision, and the participants were introduced to the heart of the vision: The Five Principles.

There was also time to work with the vision in a practical way: Together, the participants looked at the year 2042 using self-invented personas, and what the day of these future inhabitants would look like. For example, the twins Summer and Joy (20), whom they had invented, but also the developer Henk (48) and the recently happily divorced and retired Hanneke (68). One thing was quickly clear: these persona’s were enjoying themselves in the future Zaanstad!

The feedback from the participants was too kind. ‘A lot of fun’, ‘Really nice to follow this master class’ and to top it all off: ‘Now I really feel like reading the entire vision!’