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Municipality of Haarlemmermeer Addresses Improper Land Use
- EIFFEL
Improper land use is a growing and sensitive issue for many municipalities. Residents occupy municipal land and can become formal owners through adverse possession. This costs municipalities not only land but also hinders public objectives like climate adaptation, biodiversity, and the energy transition.
Haarlemmermeer has dealt with this issue for some time. The complexity increased, as did the urgency to act. Reason enough for the municipality to tackle the issue in a structured project with clear focus. EIFFEL was brought in and consultant Nienke Kroeze took charge.
The challenge: break through fragmentation, secure ownership
Since 2013, the municipality has worked on this issue, but progress was slow. With the old approach, it would take years to close all files. Meanwhile, the risk of adverse possession grew.
In the newer neighborhoods (built from 2003 onward), Haarlemmermeer chose a different approach. The council decided on sharp prioritization: these neighborhoods first, with a defined budget and political commitment. Municipal land must remain available for public purposes, and that requires control.
Our role: project leadership with structure
From EIFFEL's Land Use & Real Estate Team, Nienke was appointed project leader in February 2025. She is responsible for the complete management of the Newer Neighborhoods project. From meetings with the client and internal teams to reports on progress, costs, revenues, and expected bottlenecks. She also manages 3 project staff members, 2 of whom just started in the land management field.
For me, it was important to set up this project right from the start. Getting everyone on board, making clear agreements, communicating directly. Those are the success factors.
Nienke Kroeze - Consultant EIFFEL
Approach: integrated, phased, and data-driven
The municipality had already done extensive groundwork: a complete inventory of potential improper land use in the newer neighborhoods. That yielded 774 files. Nienke transferred these to a central progress list. The project was divided into phases to make clear decisions at each step.
The approach was aligned with communications, legal advisors, and area managers. Residents receive a clear letter about the project and their situation. In cases of improper land use, 3 routes follow: eviction, legalization through sale, or—in rare exceptions—loan for use.
The documentation comes from aerial photos, building registry data, and cadastral maps. Sometimes an on-site assessment is needed. Atypical cases, like freestanding planters, get lower priority.
Results: first successes and ambition
The first files are now complete. Sometimes there was no improper use, for example when a hedge stood on municipal land. Other files were closed because property boundaries were properly maintained.
The ambition is substantial: handle all 774 files within 18 months. That requires tight control, good cooperation with residents, and legal safeguarding through notarial deeds.
We want to legalize or terminate as much as possible. This reduces legal risks and creates space for future objectives like the energy transition.
Nienke Kroeze - Consultant EIFFEL
Clear frameworks and political support
In a politically sensitive case, policy alone is not enough. It must be clear, supported, and explainable to residents, press, and politicians.
Nienke's advice to other municipalities: "Make sure your policy is rock solid. Arrange political support in advance. Aldermen and council members must know the policy and champion it."
A special project
For Nienke, this is her first role as project leader: a substantial assignment and an opportunity to contribute to public issues like climate, space, and legal clarity. "I notice that when you are clear yourself, others follow more quickly. That applies to colleagues and residents."