Maastricht endeavours to be a creative city and promotes the creative industries as a top economic sector. Despite its leading art schools and Cultural Studies faculty, students leave the city en masse after graduation.
By facilitating graduate talent with suitable business premises – offices, workshops, studios – Maastricht wants to help young talent kick-start their careers and to develop and retain their expertise for the city.
Maastricht has an adequate supply of housing, especially vacant property. However, there is a mismatch in supply and demand. Rents are too high, realisation processes are too slow, and collectives lack organisational ability. Housing providers are afraid of long leases. They fear broad portfolio impairment and prefer waiting for 'a major player' rather than accepting low rent.
The Maastricht municipality aims to reduce this mismatch by implementing a new policy to fulfil and strengthen its position as a creative city. On 27 June, the municipality wants to share and test this new policy – developed through numerous interviews with creatives, landlords, and property developers – before submitting it for approval to the city council.
How do creative hubs relate to regional embedding practices such as talent development and alliances with training and institutions?
Speakers:
Gerdo van Grootheest, Alderman for Spatial Planning, Housing, Nature, and Environment, and Mieke Damsma, Alderman for Culture, Education, Youth, Health, and Student & City.
Date: 29 June, 19:30 – 21:30
Location: Muziekgieterij
Language: Dutch
