Maatregelencatalogus Puntensysteem Natuurinclusief Bouwen – Zaanstad Nature-Inclusive Construction Guide
The Maatregelencatalogus Puntensysteem natuurinclusief bouwen is a regulatory knowledge document issued by the Gemeente Zaanstad to support the implementation of the municipal point system for nature-inclusive construction. Published on June 20, 2023, and developed in collaboration with Arcadis, this catalog functions as a technical framework within the wider urban development and sustainability goals of the Zaanstad municipality. It provides a standardized methodology for developers, architects, and planners to quantify and implement ecological measures in new and existing building projects.
The catalog governs three primary regulatory domains: Verblijven (Animal Shelters), Groene gebouwgebonden maatregelen (Green Building-related Measures), and Omgevingsmaatregelen (Environmental Measures). It establishes technical specifications for structural elements such as integrated nest boxes for swifts and bats, green roof variations, and fauna passages. The document incorporates mandatory requirements from the Welstandcommissie (Aesthetics Committee) and references the WIORZ (Richtlijnen voor de inrichting van de openbare ruimte in Zaanstad) for interventions in public spaces. Each measure is assigned a point value and a price indication ranging from € to €€€ based on 2023 price levels.
This reference document also includes a dedicated section on awareness-raising measures, such as ecological design and management plans, which are often prerequisites for scoring points in other categories. Technical annexes provide a non-exhaustive list of native tree and shrub species suitable for the Zaanstad climate and soil conditions.
Animal Shelters and Nesting Facilities
The catalog defines specific technical requirements for shelters integrated into the building fabric or placed in the immediate vicinity to support urban biodiversity.
- Nestkasten gierzwaluw: Swift boxes must be at least 30-40 cm long and placed at a minimum height of 3 meters. A minimum of 6 boxes must be placed together to support colony behavior.
- Nestvoorzieningen huismus: House sparrow provisions require an internal dimension of 12.5 cm and a 3.4 cm entry hole, preferably located near gutters.
- Vleermuisverblijven: Bat roosts are classified into summer (1 point), winter (2 points), and maternity roosts (3 points), requiring placement between 4 and 50 meters in height.
- Insectensteen: Insect stones must feature at least 50 holes with diameters between 1 and 9 mm, positioned 0.5 to 2.5 meters above ground.
Green Building-Related Measures
Measures attached to the building structure must comply with fire safety and aesthetics (welstand) regulations while contributing to climate adaptation and heat reduction.
- Groene daken (Sedum): Limited to a maximum roof slope of 35 degrees.
- Retentiedak and Waterdak: These systems must be dimensioned to handle a 70 mm rain event and bridge a neerslagtekort (precipitation deficit) of 300 mm.
- Geveltuin: Facade gardens require a width of 30-45 cm and must leave at least 120 cm of sidewalk clearance. Self-attaching climbers like ivy are prohibited on public land.
- Vleermuisvriendelijke verlichting: Building lighting must have a color temperature of less than 2200 Kelvin to minimize disruption.
Environmental and Open Space Interventions
The catalog details requirements for the direct surroundings of buildings to ensure connectivity between urban habitats and the municipal ecological structure.
- Faunapassage (egel): Hedgehog passages under fencing must have a minimum opening of 13x13 cm.
- Onverhard oppervlak: Points are awarded per percentage of unpaved garden area; artificial grass is explicitly excluded from these calculations.
- Ecologische wadi: Infiltration basins must be dimensioned to store 70 mm of rain from the planning area and follow hydrological advice.
- Vishotel: Underwater structures for fish and macrofauna require a year-round minimum water depth of 50 cm.
Process and Awareness Requirements
Certain technical measures require formal documentation to be eligible for points within the Zaanstad system.
- Ecologisch ontwerp: Drafting an ecological design is worth 10 points and is a mandatory prerequisite for specific structural measures.
- Beheerplan: A management plan is compulsory for projects with a plot size exceeding 1,500 m² or where specifically indicated in a measure's requirements (40 points).
- Biodiversiteitspakket: Providing residents with information and nesting materials is valued at 10 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum height for installing swift nest boxes in Zaanstad?
Swift nest boxes must be installed at a minimum height of 3 meters, though the catalog specifies that higher placement is generally better.
What light color is required for bat-friendly building lighting?
Bat-friendly lighting must have a light color temperature of less than 2200 Kelvin (amber-colored light) to reduce disturbance to local bat populations.
What are the dimensions for a hedgehog passage under a fence?
A fauna passage for hedgehogs under fencing or walls must have a minimum opening of 13x13 cm.
Does artificial grass count toward the unpaved surface percentage?
No, the catalog explicitly states that artificial grass (kunstgras) does not count as an unpaved surface for scoring points.
When is an ecological management plan mandatory?
An ecological management plan (beheerplan) is mandatory for building projects where the plot size is larger than 1,500 m².
What are the water storage requirements for green roofs in Zaanstad?
Retention roofs and water roofs must be capable of absorbing a 70 mm rain event and surviving a drought period with a 300 mm precipitation deficit.
How many points is a bat maternity roost worth?
A maternity roost (kraamverblijf) for bats is worth 3 points in the Zaanstad point system.
What is the maximum allowed slope for a Sedum green roof?
The maximum slope allowed for a Sedum green roof under these regulations is 35 degrees.
