Ballast Nedam Development ranks among Europe's leaders in urban development: Groene Loper Maastricht wins prestigious Build Europe Award in Naples
Groene Loper Maastricht has been honoured with the prestigious Build Europe Award in Naples. This international distinction marks European recognition of the Dutch approach to complex urban development. Following its win of the 2026 NEPROM Award for Urban Development, Groene Loper Maastricht is now demonstrating on the international stage how the Netherlands is leading the way in creating liveable, green and future-proof cities. Ballast Nedam’s subsidary Laudy construction was in charge of the realisation of the residential construction.
Dutch urban development as a model for Europe
The European recognition of Groene Loper underscores the quality and international significance of Dutch urban development. The Maastricht project demonstrates how a major infrastructure transformation can fundamentally improve a city.
By moving the A2 motorway underground, space has been created for a green, future-proof urban district that reconnects neighbourhoods previously separated by the road. Where a busy traffic artery once dominated the cityscape for decades, a new living environment has emerged, offering space for homes, greenery, social interaction and amenities. The transformation contributes to quality of life, health and biodiversity in the city.
With this European recognition, the Netherlands demonstrates how infrastructure renewal, sustainable urbanisation and long-term public-private collaboration can come together in an urban development project that serves as a model beyond its national borders.
Prestigious European recognition
The Build Europe Awards recognise urban development projects that excel in architectural quality, sustainability, innovation and their positive impact on local communities and cities.
The organiser, Build Europe, is the European umbrella organisation for national associations of property developers and construction companies, representing more than 30,000 organisations across the European real estate sector.
The award in Naples gives Groene Loper an international platform and draws attention to the Dutch approach to urban transformation, creating healthy and sustainable living environments.
Collaboration as the foundation of European success
Groene Loper has been developed by Ballast Nedam Development and the Municipality of Maastricht, in collaboration with various partners. The large-scale urban development project on and around the tunnel roof of the former A2 motorway comprises approximately 1,200 homes, a 2.5-kilometre urban park and space for amenities, hospitality venues and commercial real estate.
The long-term collaboration between public and private parties has been a key foundation of the project's success. By maintaining a shared vision for the city's future, an infrastructure intervention has evolved into an urban development project with lasting social value.
It is precisely this combination of infrastructure renewal, urban quality and collaboration that makes Groene Loper a compelling Dutch example for other European cities facing similar challenges.
Onno Dwars, CEO of Ballast Nedam Development: “We are incredibly proud that Groene Loper Maastricht has now also been recognised at European level. Through this urban development project, we have demonstrated that courage and vision can fundamentally transform a city. From a motorway that divided neighbourhoods to a green, healthy living environment that brings people together. That is the power of urban development: not just adding homes, but improving quality of life for generations to come. This international recognition is a tribute to all parties involved and demonstrates that the Netherlands ranks among Europe's leaders in sustainable urban development. As far as I am concerned, this is not the end point, but rather an incentive to raise the bar even higher.”
From national winner to European recognition
The European distinction follows an earlier national award. In May 2026, Groene Loper Maastricht won the NEPROM Award for Urban Development. At the time, the jury praised the bold decision to move the motorway underground and its positive impact on the city. Improvements in quality of life, health and biodiversity, as well as the renewed connections between surrounding neighbourhoods, also played an important role in the jury's assessment.
With the Build Europe Award, Groene Loper now also receives international recognition. This places not only Maastricht and Ballast Nedam Development, but also Dutch expertise in integrated urban development, in the European spotlight.
Fahid Minhas, Director of NEPROM: “Groene Loper demonstrates what is possible when public and private parties join forces and remain committed to a shared long-term vision. The European award is a wonderful recognition of the quality of this development and the way in which a complex infrastructure intervention has contributed to a more liveable city. It is also an inspiring example for future urban development projects in the Netherlands and beyond.”
The European recognition of Groene Loper underscores the quality and international significance of Dutch urban development. The Maastricht project demonstrates how a major infrastructure transformation can fundamentally improve a city.
By moving the A2 motorway underground, space has been created for a green, future-proof urban district that reconnects neighbourhoods previously separated by the road. Where a busy traffic artery once dominated the cityscape for decades, a new living environment has emerged, offering space for homes, greenery, social interaction and amenities. The transformation contributes to quality of life, health and biodiversity in the city.
With this European recognition, the Netherlands demonstrates how infrastructure renewal, sustainable urbanisation and long-term public-private collaboration can come together in an urban development project that serves as a model beyond its national borders.
Prestigious European recognition
The Build Europe Awards recognise urban development projects that excel in architectural quality, sustainability, innovation and their positive impact on local communities and cities.
The organiser, Build Europe, is the European umbrella organisation for national associations of property developers and construction companies, representing more than 30,000 organisations across the European real estate sector.
The award in Naples gives Groene Loper an international platform and draws attention to the Dutch approach to urban transformation, creating healthy and sustainable living environments.
Collaboration as the foundation of European success
Groene Loper has been developed by Ballast Nedam Development and the Municipality of Maastricht, in collaboration with various partners. The large-scale urban development project on and around the tunnel roof of the former A2 motorway comprises approximately 1,200 homes, a 2.5-kilometre urban park and space for amenities, hospitality venues and commercial real estate.
The long-term collaboration between public and private parties has been a key foundation of the project's success. By maintaining a shared vision for the city's future, an infrastructure intervention has evolved into an urban development project with lasting social value.
It is precisely this combination of infrastructure renewal, urban quality and collaboration that makes Groene Loper a compelling Dutch example for other European cities facing similar challenges.
Onno Dwars, CEO of Ballast Nedam Development: “We are incredibly proud that Groene Loper Maastricht has now also been recognised at European level. Through this urban development project, we have demonstrated that courage and vision can fundamentally transform a city. From a motorway that divided neighbourhoods to a green, healthy living environment that brings people together. That is the power of urban development: not just adding homes, but improving quality of life for generations to come. This international recognition is a tribute to all parties involved and demonstrates that the Netherlands ranks among Europe's leaders in sustainable urban development. As far as I am concerned, this is not the end point, but rather an incentive to raise the bar even higher.”
From national winner to European recognition
The European distinction follows an earlier national award. In May 2026, Groene Loper Maastricht won the NEPROM Award for Urban Development. At the time, the jury praised the bold decision to move the motorway underground and its positive impact on the city. Improvements in quality of life, health and biodiversity, as well as the renewed connections between surrounding neighbourhoods, also played an important role in the jury's assessment.
With the Build Europe Award, Groene Loper now also receives international recognition. This places not only Maastricht and Ballast Nedam Development, but also Dutch expertise in integrated urban development, in the European spotlight.
Fahid Minhas, Director of NEPROM: “Groene Loper demonstrates what is possible when public and private parties join forces and remain committed to a shared long-term vision. The European award is a wonderful recognition of the quality of this development and the way in which a complex infrastructure intervention has contributed to a more liveable city. It is also an inspiring example for future urban development projects in the Netherlands and beyond.”
