Gijzenrooi: working together for a future-proof landscape
Gijzenrooi is a valuable and small-scale agricultural cultural landscape around the Gijzenrooise Zegge, between Geldrop and Eindhoven. The area is largely owned by Brabants Landschap and the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo. In 2021 we started an area process together to strengthen the landscape and make it more experienceable.
During this process, many stakeholders were consulted to get a good picture of the opportunities and challenges in Gijzenrooi. After an exploratory phase in 2022, work was done on an integrated vision for the area, including a plan for future-proof management. The results were recorded in the Gijzenrooi Master Plan, which was adopted by the City Council on December 9, 2024. The Master Plan can be viewed at www.geldrop-mierlo.nl/gijzenrooi
Future plans
The master plan forms the basis for the further development of Gijzenrooi. In the coming years, measures
will be taken to:
- enhance nature and landscape,
- better organize recreation, and
- to locally wet the area.
In addition, the municipality and Brabants Landschap are looking for an agricultural entrepreneur who will manage the area and act as host of Gijzenrooi. Recruitment for this manager started today. For more information, visit: www.geldrop-mierlo.nl/gijzenrooi
New residential community in hamlet
In the heart of Gijzenrooi, Frank Willems and Guus Hulshof, residents of an old farmhouse, are working on a
special housing initiative. They want to realize a residential community for young and old on a plot of 20,000 square meters. The plan includes 11 sustainable homes, a communal meeting space, vegetable garden, work shed and even a food forest. The homes will have green roofs and insulation made from home grown flax. Construction is scheduled for 2027-2028. Interested parties can apply at: www.wooncollectief-gijzenrooi.nl
Support from municipality and province
The housing collective fits well with the goals of the Master Plan. Both the municipality and the province support the initiative. Alderman Mathil Sanders emphasizes the social importance: "With such a residential community, people can continue to live independently for longer and support each other, without being directly dependent on professional Health."
According to Alderman Frans Stravers, the master plan looked at the possibilities for additional housing development. The conclusion: there is only limited space, especially within the hamlet of Gijzenrooi itself. New housing must be carefully incorporated and fit in with the natural qualities of the landscape. The housing/care collective does fit in. Among other things, it ensures that the hamlet of Gijzenrooi is further spatially rounded off.
Gijzenrooi is thus growing step by step into a place where nature, agriculture, housing and Health come together in a special way.