Preface

Maastricht is a sociable city with a strong community spirit, where all residents feel at home. It is a city which, drawing on a rich history, never stops evolving and strengthening its position as an international university city. Led by the Maastricht Health Campus, our knowledge economy is taking flight. Their widely praised, problem-based education draws high potentials to our city from all over the world.

Providing this growing number of students with a pleasant living environment is a major undertaking. Every year, suitable accommodation is needed for an additional 450 students, the majority of them international. This is accommodation that is not yet available, and which the municipality or university alone cannot provide.

As a member of the Municipal Executive for Housing, I welcome private parties that see opportunities and are keen to invest in our city, providing this much-needed accommodation. It is especially gratifying when their investment leads to large, old, empty buildings being put to good use and breathing new life into the city’s historic architecture. In addition new large-scale, student housing locations will relieve the pressure on the residential districts.

In 2019, the former monastery on Tongerseweg was transformed into a stunning new home for 257 students. It is a tremendous asset for our city!

Vivianne Heijnen

Member of the Municipal Executive for Housing, Municipality of Maastricht