Strijp-T: 'mobility is part of our vision for the future'

A train station on your doorstep, an airport around the corner, the highway nearby. Strijp-T in Eindhoven is strategically located in the heart of Brainport. 'But mobility is much more than just accessibility. It is also about sustainability and appearance. We see it as an essential part of our vision for the future,' says Boudie Hoogedeure of Strijp-T. Boudie works together with Brainport Bereikbaar to capitalize on mobility opportunities.

Since 2017, GEVA Vastgoed's Strijp-T development team has been developing former Philips buildings based on a clear vision. There are now 70 companies located there and there is a waiting list. Fortunately for potential tenants, the development isn't finished yet. 'We are working on building TX, where Bosch, among others, will be located. That part will be ready at the end of 2025. We have a view of other buildings and there are new construction opportunities," says Boudie.

An inspiring environment is part of ambitions

The fact that new space becomes available does not automatically mean that a company can establish itself there. 'We choose to offer our business units to ambitious organizations in the make-create-innovate chain. And then within one or more of the theme areas of health, mobility, energy, food, safety. In doing so, we create a community of like-minded companies that can work together on the major developments and challenges of the future. We believe that this ambition requires an inspiring environment. It must be attractive for people to work here and companies deserve a professional business card.'

Conscious design of the environment

At Strijp-T you get much more than just square meters. 'You see that in everything. In the way we renovate, for example. The quality and comfort of today, while retaining the characteristic industrial heritage. But certainly also in how we organize the environment. The location alone is the best of both worlds: easily accessible and yet part of the city center. We would like to add something to this: an attractive and, above all, sustainable environment. Because that is a theme that is very important to the new generation, innovative young companies and their customers. Being located on an industrial estate that is constantly working on this is an additional USP. Mobility is essential and therefore an important ingredient for the value of our real estate and its future sustainability.'

Walking boulevards and thousand-tree plan

Mobility is therefore the spearhead at Strijp-T in 2024. 'Space is needed to further green the outdoor area. For example, we are actually working on a thousand-tree plan. In this way we strengthen the green structure of the site so that a beautiful green park is created that fits in with the surroundings and the Philips de Jong park. With native plants and references to history. We also want to build a parking garage on the edge of the site to drastically reduce the number of traffic movements. We are creating narrower streets to make room for boulevards for walking and a special section for cycling.'

Employee survey with Brainport Bereikbaar

To achieve all this, a change in the zoning plan was necessary. 'We had to carry out a mobility study for this. We were also advised to take an in-depth look at employee level and the tip to engage a mobility broker for this. I came into contact with Wouter de Valk, Jos Wijnen and Marijn Lugt from Brainport Bereikbaar and that immediately went well. They work with a professional and driven group of people with whom it is good to work together. They conducted the employee survey among our tenants and there was a large and rapid response. That also indicates how things are going, just like the positive response from our tenants. Everyone wants to work on this theme.'

Getting started with opportunities

Thanks to the research, Strijp-T now knows where the opportunities lie. 'We can achieve impactful improvements with relatively small adjustments. For example, focusing on behavioral change: we can reduce the number of cars by a third by getting more people to cycle. We already have nice bicycle sheds with showers, but they are not yet sufficiently visible and we do not communicate enough about them. We can easily ensure that pedestrians can cross more safely. Brainport Bereikbaar has agreed to help us further with this. With tailor-made organizational advice for companies that want to participate. With behavioral change campaigns in the form of cycling challenges. We will start working on it in the second half of this year. And we're really looking forward to that!'