Vision for Twente 2050
The Twente of the future is a paradise for makers, a place to live, and a place to learn: a location where technology and entrepreneurship thrive, where iconic and green living environments come together, and where talent is nurtured and attracted. The close cooperation between government, businesses, and education is crucial to shaping this shared future, thus contributing to a strong economy and greater Gross Twente Happiness. The Vision 2050 forms the foundation for long-term agreements with the national government and supports initiatives such as the Opportunities Agenda and the Spatial Development Strategy for Twente.
THIS IS WHAT TWENTE CAN LOOK LIKE IN 2050
Twente of the future
Imagine, it's the year 2050.
The world around you has become interconnected. The devices in our homes communicate with each other. We state our destination, and personalised transport arrives at our doorstep. Drones deliver packages and monitor farmers' crops. We engage in work that provides us with satisfaction, while robots take care of the rest. This leaves us with more time for the things that make life worthwhile.
We are heading towards a future full of opportunities. The question is: what do we want Twente to look like in 2050? This Vision Twente 2050 presents Twente Board’s answer to this question. This vision is ambitious, distinctive, and unifying.
Welcome to Twente in 2050!
Makers' Paradise Twente
In Twente, you can create anything you desire. By 2050, Twente provides the best environment for new technology and innovation through the cross-pollination of key technologies. We are investing in a top-quality high-tech knowledge infrastructure. We build and strengthen technological niches in which we excel. Collaboration between educational institutions, governments, and enterprises is essential for this progress.
We create value on a global scale!
Twente looks ahead to 2050 with a mindset that transcends borders. This approach allows us to make an impact regionally, nationally, and internationally. Twente's innovations successfully reach the global market. By 2050, technologies born in Twente are used worldwide. Through this, Twente contributes to addressing both national and international societal challenges. Twente is connected with other regions around the world. Companies, educational institutions, and governments from Twente and North Rhine-Westphalia collaborate intensively to achieve this.
By 2050, we produce End Products and scale them successfully
Twente is already renowned for its innovative and thriving SMEs. By 2050, the region will also host more large-scale companies, predominantly in a broad spectrum of the manufacturing industry: from sensors to machinery, and from the food industry to construction. Startups are proliferating at an impressive rate. The support for new and scaling businesses in Twente is of exceptional quality, with the University of Twente being recognised as the most entrepreneurial university. By 2050, Twente will be the startup and scale-up champion of the Netherlands.
Living in Twente. Surrounded by Icons!
Residential Paradise Twente
By 2050, the vibrant urban areas in Twente will lend the region an international allure. There will be ample housing for everyone and a lively array of cultural and recreational activities. By then, Twente will have added two new architectural landmarks and new cultural facilities. Imagine visiting one of the largest music venues in the Netherlands right here in the region! Young people eager to grow and seeking new experiences will consciously choose Twente. Here, one can not only shape the future but also experience it firsthand. These developments will not only enhance the region's appeal but also strengthen the provision of services in Twente towards 2050, including in the more rural areas.
We are taking a mobility leap
By 2050, Twente will fully leverage its advantageous geographic location and opportunities. There will be a one-hour connection with the Randstad, fast new links to Germany, and business-oriented electric flight connections for longer distances. This will position Twente as a central hub in Europe. This is great news for residents, businesses, and the logistics sector.
We live in the best of both worlds!
It is not just the urban dynamism but the unique combination of urban life with a beautiful rural setting that makes Twente exceptional in 2050. Whatever your preference—whether it's engaging in outdoor sports or enjoying a night out at a trendy bar—you can seamlessly blend both in Twente. By 2050, Twente will offer the best living environment in the Netherlands, marked by a high quality of life (Gross Twente Happiness). We take pride in our farmers. They contribute not only to food security but also to the maintenance of our unique cultural landscape.
Everyone wants to be free in Twente
With people having more free time in 2050, the leisure economy of Twente has significantly expanded. This Twentse leisure economy interlinks culture, recreation, tourism, and the broader economy, exerting a positive influence on people’s health, the business climate, and the attraction and retention of (international) students, knowledge workers, and skilled professionals. Thus, it forms a key pillar of our Gross Twente Happiness.
We are open to each other
In Twente, we have looked out for each other for centuries. We further developed this strength in 2050. We are more open to each other, including newcomers. We help each other, respect each other and learn from each other.
Learning Paradise Twente
In Twente, we aim for the highest standards in education to become the most educated region. ROC van Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the University of Twente, Zone College, and Artez offer new forms of education and collaborate with primary and secondary schools. These innovative educational formats prepare individuals for the economy of the future. This approach involves close cooperation with the business sector while harnessing the strengths of individual institutions. This enables more tailored education, benefiting both companies and students.
We take control of our own future
Twente educational institutions organise continuous learning lines. They also enable seamless switching between modules of different types of education. How we develop is transparent via a digital knowledge and skills passport.
We appreciate everyone who contributes
Companies are in great need of skilled workers. In 2050, Twente is leading the way in the revaluation of skilled work, theoretical and practical training are equally important. What matters is that training brings people and their talents to fruition. After all, everyone is needed and in Twente we value everyone who contributes. Thanks to all these developments, Twente will be the best educated region in 2050. As a result, in 2050 all inhabitants of Twente will be optimally equipped to contribute in a rapidly changing world.
We are a magnet for talent!
The combined appeal of Twente as a makers' paradise, residential paradise, and learning paradise is undeniable. By 2050, students, knowledge migrants, and skilled professionals will flock to Twente in large numbers. Education in Twente will have expanded in all areas, especially in vocational training due to the renewed appreciation for craftsmanship. The University of Twente will have doubled in size and appeal. While the ITC building is already considered the most beautiful building in the Netherlands, the UT campus will soon be recognised as the most beautiful and greenest campus in Europe.
Twente Unites for a Strong Future
In summary, by 2050, Twente will be the place to create, live, learn, and do business. We aim to achieve this by focusing on enhancing economic resilience and leveraging regional growth opportunities. This contributes to the overall prosperity of residents and solidifies Twente as a strong brand within the Netherlands and Europe. We build our reputation through strategic leadership and boldness. Progress is achieved through collaboration, where mutual work and trust are essential for our future. Let us join forces to bring this vision closer to reality!
This vision for Twente in 2050 is presented by the Twente Board. In addition to the 3O partners (government, businesses, and educational institutions), other parties such as the Culture Region, the Leisure Economy, and healthcare organisations are also involved. The vision incorporates existing strategies from these partners, such as the Regional Development Strategy of municipalities, Regioplan Twentse Koers, and Vrij zijn in Twente. Twente Board has created a comprehensive vision for Twente from these contributions. This vision is not an endpoint, but the starting point for collaborative efforts towards the future in 2050. If each party contributes in its own way to improving our living, working, and residential environment, it will positively impact Gross Twente Happiness.
