ROTTERDAM, 27 January 2026 – A new study into Rotterdam’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) shows a productive, resilient sector, but one that feels increasing pressure. The research, commissioned by the City of Rotterdam and MKB Rotterdam Rijnmond, was presented yesterday at WTC Rotterdam.

The study was carried out by Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship and Hogeschool Rotterdam, looking at the current state of Rotterdam’s SME community (MKB).

What the research says about Rotterdam SMEs

The headline is a mixed one. Rotterdam entrepreneurs come out as resilient and highly productive, with a higher-than-average share of fast-growing companies, including a relatively large group of “hypergrowers” that average 40% growth per year. At the same time, the day-to-day reality is getting tougher: staff shortages, rising costs, and the growing complexity of digitalisation and the sustainability transition.

“The research shows that Rotterdam SMEs are resilient and innovative, with relatively many fast-growing companies. At the same time, entrepreneurship is becoming more complex, which underlines the importance of targeted collaboration and suitable support.” Rob Uytdewilligen, chair of MKB Rotterdam Rijnmond.

A city built on microbusinesses

Rotterdam has a strong entrepreneurial profile, with more than 85% of businesses made up of self-employed people and micro-enterprises. That keeps the city dynamic and innovative, but it also means that an increase in the number of businesses does not automatically translate into more jobs.

The research also notes a decline in new starters, while more entrepreneurs are stopping, suggesting that starting a business is becoming less straightforward than it used to feel. 

“Rotterdam entrepreneurs show a lot of resilience, but the pressure is increasing. That is exactly why we do this research periodically. It helps us stay sharp and keep adjusting our services to what entrepreneurs need, at a time when conditions keep changing.” Alderman Robert Simons

High productivity, but growth is flattening

Rotterdam’s SME labour efficiency is described as high. Turnover per employee sits above the national average, partly linked to sectors such as trade, logistics and industry. Even with that strength, the report signals that growth is levelling off, and that high efficiency does not automatically make small teams less vulnerable. Employment growth has stabilised since 2022 and has dipped slightly.

The research points to a leading group of Rotterdam SMEs that are moving ahead with sustainability, digitalisation and innovation, translating that into new, scalable business models. But a wider group is struggling to invest. Lack of time, money, knowledge and staff makes it difficult to take meaningful steps, even when the need is clear.

What Rotterdam is putting in place

Rotterdam links the findings to the direction the city has taken in recent years with partners including MKB Rotterdam Rijnmond. That includes more accessible support through the entrepreneurs’ desk (Ondernemersbalie), business contact officers active in neighbourhoods, shopping streets and business parks, and an SME action programme (MKB-actieprogramma) designed to align services with what entrepreneurs actually need.

The city also highlights efforts around future-proof entrepreneurship, including maintaining business space, investing in stronger shopping areas, and supporting companies with digitalisation and sustainability measures. It also points to help with financing, investment in risk capital funds, trade missions, and the Rotterdam starter package (Rotterdams Starterspakket), which connects new entrepreneurs with experienced ones.

ROTTERDAM, 21 January 2026 – Rotterdam’s executive board has approved an area ambition document (gebiedsambitiedocument) that sets the direction for the Keile Quarter (Keilekwartier) in Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H). The plan keeps space for existing creative makers while working towards 1,200 to 1,700 homes in the longer term.

The document describes Keilekwartier as a future live-work district with shared facilities, including a shared heat system, material reuse, and shared indoor and outdoor spaces. It also states that the first years focus on strengthening the existing ecosystem of makers and businesses, before housing becomes possible.

Keilekwartier Rotterdam plan sets housing and maker priorities

Rotterdam’s ambition is to add 1,200 to 1,700 homes in Keilekwartier, while keeping room for the makers and entrepreneurs already active there to keep experimenting. The area ambition document also points to shared provisions, such as one collective heat system, reusing materials, and sharing spaces across the district.

Alderman Chantal Zeegers, responsible for climate, construction and housing, said: “Thanks to the unique collaborations with the parties already active in the area, a new piece of city is being added across Merwe-Vierhavens with at least 3,000 homes for different target groups. This is truly a case of building the city together.”

Rotterdam has approved a new plan for Keilekwartier in M4H, aiming for 1,200–1,700 homes long term while keeping space for creative makers and workshops.

Rotterdam M4H timeline keeps housing out of Keilekwartier for now

The municipality says no homes will be built in Keilekwartier for the next ten years. Traffic, noise and smell conditions need to improve first, with the note that if those conditions improve sooner, housing construction could also start earlier.

Development is being shaped with input from entrepreneurs in the area, organised under the Keile Cooperative (Keilecoöperatie). A first step is described as strengthening collaboration among existing businesses and mapping out the need for affordable workspaces.

Rotterdam Marconikwartier plan moves forward near Marconiplein

The same update links Keilekwartier to the nearby Marconikwartier, where an ambition document was approved earlier. Marconikwartier is set to become a mixed district with homes, workplaces and facilities such as schools or hospitality, with around 2,300 homes planned in total.

Rotterdam says 800 homes have already been realised in the Lee Towers, and that the housing is mainly intended for starters and small households. The plan also describes offices for uses such as start-ups and tech companies, and positions the area as highly accessible thanks to its location near the Marconi Square public transport hub (Marconiplein), its low-traffic character, and strong walking and cycling routes.

M4H Rotterdam planning sets next steps for Keilekwartier and Marconikwartier

Rotterdam’s executive board has submitted the Keilekwartier area ambition document to the city council. It will be discussed together with the already-approved Marconikwartier ambition document in the council committee BWB (commissie BWB).

For Marconikwartier, work continues on a master plan (Masterplan) with landowners, which the municipality expects to be ready in 2027. For Keilekwartier, the next step still needs to be determined.

While the first steps in Keilekwartier and Marconikwartier are now set on paper, Rotterdam expects construction of the first homes in the Merwehaven sub-area to start in late 2026 or early 2027. A fourth sub-area, Galilee Park (Galileipark), is planned as a work-focused area where living will not be added.

Marconikwartier and Keilekwartier are part of Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H), an area the municipality describes as roughly the size of Rotterdam city centre. The Port of Rotterdam Authority (Havenbedrijf Rotterdam) and the Municipality of Rotterdam (Gemeente Rotterdam) are developing it into a mixed live-work environment, with an ambition of around 10,000 new homes over the coming decades.

Where to read the Keilekwartier and Marconikwartier documents

Gebiedsambitiedocument Keilekwartier: https://m4hrotterdam.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bijlage-1-20260113_Keilekwartier_Gebiedsambitiedocument-DEF.pdf
Gebiedsambitiedocument Marconikwartier: https://m4hrotterdam.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20250924_GAD_Marconikwartier_eindconcept.pdf
Appendix to Gebiedsambitiedocument Marconikwartier: https://m4hrotterdam.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20250924_GAD_Marconikwartier_bijlage_eindconcept.pdf

ROTTERDAM, 22 January 2026 – Rotterdam’s housing associations and the municipality have signed new performance agreements (prestatieafspraken) aimed at building more than 4,000 social rental homes over 2026 and 2027. The package also commits to major upgrades for existing homes, plus spending on liveability in neighbourhoods across the city.

_{Image: Rotterdam housing associations, tenants’ organisations and the municipality are working together on good-quality living in affordable rental homes. Photography: Rhalda Jansen}

Rotterdam’s housing associations will start construction on thousands of rental homes over the next two years, with the city and the associations aiming to deliver more than 4,000 social rental homes in 2026-2027. Many of the new homes are intended for groups such as students, young people, and older residents.

At the same time, the agreements set out work to make existing rental homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, alongside joint investment by the municipality, housing associations and tenants in the liveability of neighbourhoods. There are also agreements on rent increases, which means most middle-income households living in social housing are set to receive a lower rent increase than the maximum possible.

How will Rotterdam add 4,000 social rental homes in 2026-2027?

The plans are part of performance agreements (prestatieafspraken) for 2026 and 2027, signed on Wednesday evening by Rotterdam’s housing associations, tenants’ organisations and the municipality. The agreements describe how the parties will work together on better and more sustainable rental homes, as well as more liveable neighbourhoods across Rotterdam.

“The housing shortage is severe. With these agreements, housing associations, tenants’ organisations and the municipality are working together on more affordable rental homes and better homes for Rotterdam residents,” said alderman Chantal Zeegers (Climate, Building and Housing).

What will change for Rotterdam tenants on rent and liveability?

Marieke Kolsteeg, chair of housing association Hef Wonen, highlighted the role of tenants’ organisations in shaping the package: “The representatives of residents are equal partners in this process. Their input as people with lived experience, from the tenants’ perspective, is crucial. The tenants’ organisations also considered the interests of people searching for a home, for example in the agreements on encouraging moves within the housing market and income-based rent increases. Thanks in part to them, we have made strong agreements on intensifying our cooperation in the coming years. We are looking forward to that.”

The Gemeenschappelijk Overleg Huurdersorganisaties (GOH) said it is satisfied that points that used to be difficult or off-limits are now part of the agreements. “Four years ago, many of our tenants’ organisations did not sign the agreements, two years ago we signed with many reservations, and now we are signing very satisfied. We sat at the table as an equal party and were taken seriously, in an intensive process of give and take,” said Laurie Hermanns on behalf of GOH.

How will Rotterdam cut energy labels E, F and G in social housing?

The agreements prioritise improving insulation quality and energy efficiency, focusing on the weakest energy labels: E, F and G. Over 2026-2027, the number of homes with an E, F or G label should fall by more than 3,000.

“We are reducing the number of homes with a poor energy label from 7,200 to 4,200. That directly helps tenants with comfort and energy costs,” said alderman Zeegers. The longer-term goal remains making all social rental homes in Rotterdam gas-free by 2050, with the heat transition kept affordable for both housing associations and tenants.

What funding will target damp, mould and safer homes in Rotterdam?

Beyond energy upgrades, the package includes nearly €70 million in investment to address damp, mould, lead pipes, asbestos and fire safety in social rental homes. On liveability, Rotterdam’s housing associations plan to spend at least €35 million in 2026-2027, supporting cleaner and safer streets and helping create more opportunities for neighbours to meet, while working with the municipality to tackle housing-related nuisance.

The parties also plan to organise theme evenings several times a year on issues that matter across the city, including neighbourhood liveability, with tenants’ practical experiences feeding into policy and plans.

Why does 2026 matter for Rotterdam social housing?

In 2026, social housing in the Netherlands marks its 125th anniversary, and Rotterdam is using that moment to underline long-standing cooperation between the municipality, housing associations and tenant representatives. “Let the new performance agreements be a sign of the strength of Rotterdam’s social housing,” said alderman Zeegers.

For the official page on the agreements, visit: www.rotterdam.nl/prestatieafspraken-woningcorporaties

ROTTERDAM, 20 January 2026 – A total of 910 Rotterdammers have signed up to stand in the district and village council elections (wijk- en dorpsraadsverkiezingen) on 18 March. The city says there are now enough registrations to form a district or village council in every area of Rotterdam.

These councils are meant to bring neighbourhood priorities closer to City Hall, so topics that feel very local, like public space, liveability, and day-to-day issues in your area, can be discussed and pushed forward through a formal local body. The alderman for neighbourhoods (wijkenwethouder), Robert Simons, welcomed the high number of candidates and framed it as a sign that Rotterdammers want to take responsibility for their neighbourhoods.

Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland and Rozenburg get a full candidate field

The 910 registrations are split evenly between people running independently and people running via a group or political party. The municipality says that is enough to form councils across all areas, including the village councils (dorpsraden) in Hoek van Holland and Rozenburg, as well as the district councils (wijkraden) across the rest of the city.

Candidate registration opened on 1 December and closed on Monday at exactly 15:00, with the full process taking place digitally for the first time. For context, the previous district and village council elections in 2022 drew 620 sign-ups, and 57% of those candidates ran without a party or organisation label.

Rotterdam lists are checked before the 18 March vote

Over the coming days, the municipality will check every registration for completeness and correctness. The Central Electoral Committee (Centraal Stembureau) is scheduled to decide on the validity of the registrations on 23 January, and the order of the candidate lists on the ballot will be drawn on 30 January. After that draw, the final list of candidates is confirmed.

If you want to follow the official information as it develops, the city points you to its district and village council page at www.rotterdam.nl/wijkraden and its elections hub at www.rotterdam.nl/verkiezingen.