The strong growth impulse that Lelystad must receive is not only important to reduce the national housing shortage, but also to help the city itself move forward. That is what mayor Mieke Baltus says in the TV program Over Flevoland Gesproken. “I think that with the space and with our creativity we can really help the Netherlands move forward”, says Baltus, “but it will also help our city.”

Plans have been laid down in the strategic agenda Lelystad Next Level to strengthen and strengthen the provincial capital. The planned ambition has been expressed to build an additional 40,000 houses for the next twenty years, which would be a far cry from the existing city. According to Mayor Baltus, this offers the city good prospects for the future: “If we continue to grow, we can also benefit from the people who have lived there for longer. That is only possible if you have stronger shoulders. have more inhabitants.”

Lelystad does have a wish list for the central government to be able to implement the growth plans, says the mayor. It has to be good housing. And the infrastructure must be adapted to the increase in the number of inhabitants. Baltus is thinking of widening the A6, better accessibility by rail and the airport. She does not want to put the opening of Lelystad Airport also for the growth of the city “but it is important for the development of the economy and employment.”