About the shortage of strategic area developers and the growing gap between urgency, knowledge, leadership and delivery capability.
The Netherlands needs to build 100,000 homes each year, but area development projects get stuck due to long lead times, increasing complexity and a growing shortage of strategic professionals. There is a gap between the urgency of the task and the knowledge, collaboration and leadership available as prerequisites for delivery. The question is not whether we need to train integrated leaders, but whether we can afford not to do it.
As the challenges pile up, organisations are swallowed by the frenzy of day-to-day work. Less experienced employees take on complex files, pressure on delivery increases and temporary solutions can at best provide temporary relief. Without a sustainable talent pipeline, delivery capacity remains vulnerable.
During this panel discussion, pioneers from government, the market and education will address the question of how we can close this gap. What knowledge, competencies and collaboration are needed to connect, steer and accelerate complex area development projects? And who will take the lead?
Panel members
- Hettie Politiek, programme director for Large-Scale Housing, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
- Helma Born, general director, BPD | Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling
- Jantine Schrader, Manager Education Programmes, Amsterdam School of Real Estate
- Sanne Uiterwaal, programme director Master City Developer, TU Delft / Erasmus University
Chair
- Hermen Borst, director Urban Planning and Public Realm, Municipality of Rotterdam
PROVADA winner Michel Baars: 'MOOS will become the ASML of housing construction'
Not a man of one company, but a man of movements. His strength? Not shouting from the sidelines, but starting new companies himself that set the market in motion and challenge existing systems. That's how the jury of the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 describes winner Michel Baars. 'Michel gives direction to our entire construction and real estate sector.'
PROVADA 2026: It's a wrap!
For three days, the real estate sector stood shoulder to shoulder at RAI Amsterdam. With a record number of visitors, a packed programme and plenty of energy, PROVADA 2026 was an edition to remember. Below, we look back at the highlights — and at the end you'll find the photos and aftermovie to relive it all.
PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 for Michel Baars
At PROVADA 2026, the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 was presented to Michel Baars. The award is presented annually to an individual who realises sustainable change within the built environment through vision, courage and decisiveness. This year's presentation marks the award's fifth edition.