Members of the Arnhem-Zuid Quality Team

What will you be doing?

The municipality intends to establish an Environmental Quality Team (OKT) for the complex development in Arnhem South (including Kronenburg). The goal of the quality team is to promote integrated environmental quality for the overall planning process surrounding Kronenburg and other complex area developments in Arnhem South. The Arnhem South OKT will become active early in the design process to ensure the urbanization project is managed effectively in terms of quality, to monitor spatial coherence and integrated environmental quality as a whole, to guide plans, and to encourage and challenge project initiators. The teams consist of expert members who can provide efficient and independent advice. The OKT contributes to urban planning, public space projects, and construction plans.

In practical terms, this means:

• Provide advice, from a broad perspective, on comprehensive environmental quality (spatial, functional, and social quality, livability, and health) in the fields of urban planning, landscape, public space, and architecture;
• Providing advice on design processes at various levels of scale and across both abstract and more detailed tasks;
• The team serves as the conscience of the area development and ensures that the core elements of the planning concept remain intact;
• Providing advice and inspiration for projects from both internal and external parties;
• An eye for process, political context, and the evolving world of urban planning and development.

Arnhem-Zuid 2040 Environmental Vision

Arnhem’s Environmental Vision for 2040 shows that we are a green, vibrant, and creative city—a place where people enjoy living, working, and shopping, and which is part of a strong region and network of natural areas. In Arnhem-Zuid, major urban development projects are planned for the coming period. These urban development areas are identified in the Arnhem 2040 Environmental Vision. The Kronenburg neighborhood is one of these areas and is located in the heart of Arnhem-Zuid. Thanks to its central location, urban character, excellent accessibility (high-quality public transit), and good amenities, Kronenburg is a suitable location for new housing development.

But there are other challenges as well. The shopping center is being transformed into a Full Service Center, featuring a cultural center for South Arnhem; the housing supply is becoming more diverse and affordable; and investments are being made in a new bus station. To improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, there will be less pavement and more green space, more and better connections for cyclists and pedestrians will be created, and more gathering places will be established.

The goal is to make the neighborhood more attractive, greener, more sustainable, more vibrant, and socially stronger in the coming years.

Working Together on Kronenburg’s Future

These initiatives are not isolated; they form a single, cohesive whole. A development plan has been drawn up for Kronenburg: Working Together on Kronenburg’s Future. This plan serves as the foundation for future projects in the neighborhood.

Who are we?

Arnhem-Zuid Quality Team

The OKT consists of three or four external members and one civil servant. To develop a livable and healthy city for people and animals, we are seeking to expand our focus from spatial quality to comprehensive environmental quality. The three external members possess professional expertise and experience in the areas of climate challenges and climate-adaptive, biodiversity- and nature-inclusive development, sustainable mobility, health, and/or social challenges within the fields of architecture, urban planning, and landscape/public space.

The members of the quality team advise the project organization. In addition to various quality teams, Arnhem also has a general Environmental Quality Committee that advises the municipal executive. To ensure smooth cooperation between the two teams, the final design is forwarded to the Environmental Quality Committee for information purposes after it has been approved by the quality team.

What do we offer you?

We offer you an interesting and varied part-time position that makes a difference in the municipality of Arnhem. In addition, you can count on:

• A stipend of €170 per hour (of meeting time). Committee members spend an average of eight hours per month on committee work, based on one monthly meeting (10 times a year);
• A mileage allowance of €0.19 per kilometer or a public transportation allowance;
• You will initially be appointed for a period of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for up to three years;

The Arnhem Environmental Quality Advisory Committee meets twice a month: once in person at the Arnhem municipal office and once online, depending on the agenda, from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m.

Who are we looking for?

We strive for diversity in knowledge, background, and experience within our team. We embrace differences and believe in diversity. We look for knowledge, skills, and motivation. You’re good at analyzing—by this we mean that you recognize the core issues and connections in situations, problems, and data. You act based on your own convictions and form your own opinions, regardless of what others think. You contribute ideas, even when others disagree. You reach a conclusion or position based on available information, taking all relevant aspects into account and weighing alternatives against one another. You have a clear vision of the current situation and the future of the field. In addition, you speak clearly and correctly. You express your thoughts fluently, concisely, clearly, and diplomatically. You can present ideas and facts in such a way that others understand the core message.

We also ask:

• Expertise and experience in the field of complex area development (urban planning and/or landscape/public space and/or architecture);
• Knowledge of current issues such as climate adaptation and climate-adaptive development, biodiversity- and nature-inclusive development, sustainable mobility, the energy transition, circular construction, and current sustainability, social, and health issues;
• Knowledge of urban challenges such as inner-city development, urban renewal, retail development, mixed-use residential and commercial areas, high-density urban blocks (wind impact), vibrant street-level retail, and livable public spaces;
• Knowledge of feasibility and manageability;
• Interested in Arnhem, our urban development projects, and the 2040 Environmental Vision?

To ensure the necessary independence, external experts are recruited. This is done to prevent any potential conflicts of interest.

Where will you be working?

The Arnhem-Zuid Quality Team is dedicated to serving the city and its residents. We do this for the wonderful municipality of Arnhem. With over 165,000 residents, Arnhem is the 12th largest municipality in the country. The city’s diversity is what makes it who it is. Arnhem is a municipality where urban dynamism, a natural living environment, and economic strength reinforce one another. We have a rich history and are the capital of the province of Gelderland. The municipal organization employs approximately 1,200 dedicated and enthusiastic staff members who work every day to serve the city, its residents, visitors, businesses, and institutions.

How do you apply?

You can apply for this position through the application button until May 14. Please submit your resume and cover letter. The cover letter can be in any format—for example, a letter, an image, or a video. In your cover letter, in addition to your personal motivation, we would like you to answer the questions listed below. You will hear back by May 30 at the latest regarding the next steps, such as an invitation to an interview. The first interviews will take place on June 5 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Please keep this in mind when planning your schedule.

Motivational questions:

Which of the three areas—(1) urban planning, (2) landscape/public space, or (3) architecture—do you have the most experience in? Could you describe the context (professional or otherwise) in which you gained this experience?

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about the position or would like to get in touch informally, please contact Thor Smits, Program Manager, at qteamarnhemzuid@arnhem.nl. If you have any questions about the recruitment and selection process, please contact Angela Eikelboom, Recruiter, at +31 625 181 933, via WhatsApp, or by email (werkenvoor@arnhem.nl).

The City of Arnhem works for and with its residents to create a diverse and inclusive city: a city where everyone is welcome and can be their true selves. To achieve this, we also need an inclusive organization with a diverse workforce where no one is excluded. We want to attract and retain talented individuals with their unique backgrounds, because we are convinced that diversity strengthens us. That is what we need to become that diverse and inclusive city. So feel welcome at the City of Arnhem, no matter who you are or what your life circumstances may be.