WILLEMSTAD – Climate resilience and sustainable mobility form a major component of the government’s long-term vision for Willemstad’s city center. Rising sea levels, heat stress, and flooding risks are identified as structural threats that must be addressed alongside urban growth .
The vision proposes extensive greening of the city center, including new parks, green roofs, shaded streets, and improved water management systems. Coastal zones such as the Waaigat and the Sint Annabaai waterfront are highlighted as areas where climate adaptation must be integrated with recreational and economic development.
Mobility policy aims to gradually reduce car dependency and move toward a more walkable, accessible city. The framework introduces the concept of a “15-minute city,” where essential services, work, and leisure are reachable within a short distance. This includes better public transport, improved pedestrian routes, cycling infrastructure, and smarter parking policies.
The document also acknowledges long-standing weaknesses in infrastructure planning and execution, including outdated sewer systems and fragmented implementation of the Eilandelijk Ontwikkelingsplan. Revising Article 4 of the EOP is described as essential to ensure clearer rules for heritage protection, building height, and sustainable development.
According to the government, integrating climate adaptation, mobility, and infrastructure renewal is not optional but a prerequisite for Willemstad to remain livable and economically viable in the coming decades.