Good practice:

Singelpark, Leiden – image quality plan and citizen participation

(1) Construction of a Singelpark as a stimulus for the development of the city Leiden as a whole and as an important green lung, because there is a shortage of parks and gardens in the city center. Singelpark as a unique urban park concept and a continuous band of interconnected green spaces along the former military fortifications and 17th century ramparts surrounding the most densely built historical center in the Netherlands. It is actually a ring of seven parks along the 6.3km ‘singel’.
(2) Projects often fail in the initial phase due to a lack of money, administration or public support. The Singelpark is a plan that is being built together. It is the city governments philosophy that the park is for the people of Leiden. If it is a success on a neighbourhood level, then it will also draw people from both the inner city and the outskirts. It will make Leiden more attractive for visitors from abroad, along with the museums and the historical buildings.
(3) The Municipality of Leiden as government and client, cooperation of friends of the park and important stakeholders (Leiden University, Hortus botanicus, Museum Volkenkunde, Meelfabriek) There are many people who live and/or work in Leiden who volunteer their time and expertise towards the design, development and maintenance of the Singelpark. These ‘Singelpark friends’ have joined forces with the city to create a legacy for present and future generations. Everybody can join the volunteers.

The project budget is € 14 million with € 60.000 for competition, € 100.000 for the quality plan and € 275.000 for partcipation with the Friends (4 years)

By adopting the "Vision Leidse Singels", a high ambition has been expressed for the area and considerable financial resources have now also been reserved. With these resources and the right prioritization, a truly contiguous Singelpark can be created in the short term. The final level of ambition will be reached in phases. And, together with partners in the city, further resources will be sought to realize this ultimate ambition.

The Leiden project of the Singelpark could be a good practice for the RFC project because many cities are involved among the European partners. The image quality plan (IQP) could be a specific tool to implement the vision of the fortress structures in cities into various ongoing projects. The approach of Leiden is also good to gain support and movement around the city wall. Not only on a social level, but also financially. Also introduction of the bridges could also be a good solution for some parts to make connection between isolated parts of city walls. The Leiden approach is also a good inspiration how to set up a global vision and with the added advantage of the role the fortress can play in the field of city marketing.