During the national real estate convention Provada in the Amsterdam RAI, on behalf of Coöperatie Leerpark, alderman Peter Heijkoop from the municipality Dordrecht and Peter Vrancken, chairman of the Executive Board of DaVinci, signed a cooperation agreement with Chiel van Dijen, Commercial Director of Kadans Science Partner, for the first phase of Campus Development of Leerpark Dordrecht.
Early 2018, the municipal council of Dordrecht gave its approval for the design of the next phase of Campus Development. The plans for a campus around Leerpark aim to strenghten the regional knowledge infrastructure, including more higher education in the areas of technology and IT, the realization of production spaces for innovative startups and excellent accessibility, including a train station.
There have been several developments at Leerpark Dordrecht the past year. The construction of housing is progressing and the presence of innovative startups in two temporary ‘maakhallen’ (production halls) with the Duurzaamheidsfabriek has resulted in new dynamics and appeal. Coöperatie Leerpark is taking the next step with the development of the campus by cooperating with Kadans Science Partner as international investor, developer and operator of knowledge hubs. The first phase will entail the development of the ‘kopgebouw’ next to the Duurzaamheidsfabriek including 5,500 m2 for higher education and innovative businesses. The next phase is the envisaged development of the Maakfabriek, opposite the Duurzaamheidsfabriek, with extensive space for production and startups.
Peter Heijkoop, Alderman Education & Labor market municipality Dordrecht:
“The developments the last year have showed that our ambitions not only supply needs but also increase the demand for educational and testing spaces. There is a need for more innovation capacity and for more highly educated personnel for businesses. The significance of Leerpark and ‘Fieldlab’ Duurzaamheidsfabriek as a national example of hybrid learning is only increasing. The investments made by the city are starting to show results. We are proud to have found a partner like Kadans, who will bring knowledge, experience and a network to the table, as well as an investment grant from the province so we can take the next step towards the realization of the campus.”
Chiel van Dijen, partner and Commercial Director Kadans Science Partner:
“Leerpark offers us a unique proposition within our portfolio. Many campus environments in which we invest are concentrated around a university and focus on knowledge development. At Leerpark, and especially the Duurzaamheidsfabriek, the same focus on innovation is present, as well as the application of innovations, which is so important for the manufacturing industry of the Netherlands. This sets the location apart from others and means an excellent addition to our international portfolio and network of knowledge hubs. Additionally, Kadans believes in the power of inspiring buildings where innovation, education and entrepreneurship come together. Duurzaamheidsfabriek is a good example which we are happy to expand with new facilities.”
Peter Vrancken, Chairman Executive Board ROC Da Vinci College:
“The campus development gives a new impulse for education to continue to build a unique ‘ecosystem’ for our hybrid education concept in which learning, working and innovating are connected naturally. The campus concept is of great importance in the creation of cross-overs between courses to respond to the labor market of the future. This way we additionally create a natural environment for life long development.”