What Happens If New Construction Is Banned? Zutphen Plans Smart Storage Hub for Living and Working

Zutphen, July 24, 2025 – What do you do when your house is too small, your business isn’t allowed to expand, and the power grid is under strain? For a growing number of Dutch citizens, from freelancers to delivery drivers and remote workers, physical space is becoming a luxury. As pressure on cities increases and expansion becomes politically and practically unfeasible, the solution is coming from the outside. Literally: at the edge of the city.

In Zutphen, ALLSAFE Mini Storage opened its 50th location this past Tuesday at Pollaan 50W. Not just any storage facility, but a multifunctional space hub addressing space shortages, energy efficiency, and smart urban logistics.

“In cities where space is scarce, our hubs offer smart solutions to combine living, working, and logistics in a sustainable way.”

City Edge as a New Hub
The location is strategically situated along the N348 and easily accessible from Zutphen, Warnsveld, Brummen, and Lochem. It reflects a national trend: businesses and residents are moving toward the city outskirts as inner-city space runs out, environmental regulations become stricter (such as zero-emission zones in 17 cities), and the energy infrastructure struggles to keep up.
With flexible storage units in all sizes, a PostNL parcel point, goods reception, registered business addresses, and transport support, the new location offers solutions for both consumers and entrepreneurs.

Sustainably Built for Urban Scarcity
ALLSAFE Zutphen was designed with sustainability at its core. The facility features smart lighting, energy-efficient systems, and boasts a high GPR score. It aligns with the policy of many municipalities and provinces: promoting sustainable business operations within existing boundaries rather than building beyond the city.
Zutphen is a logical location for a new space hub: the city has a relatively high number of single-person households (39%), and homes average 118 m², a size that continues to shrink. At the same time, the number of self-employed professionals in the Stedendriehoek region has risen sharply, increasing by 38% in four years. Many of them combine living and working in limited square footage. Inner-city businesses are also reaching their limits: expansion is increasingly restricted due to nitrogen regulations and limited space.

From Storage to City Hub
The Zutphen location is part of a national strategy: over the next 10 years, ALLSAFE aims to grow to 400 locations in the Netherlands and surrounding countries. These facilities are transforming from traditional storage spaces into smart, accessible city hubs, prepared for functions like fast charging, energy storage, and zero-emission urban logistics.

About ALLSAFE Zutphen
The facility is accessible 7 days a week from 06:00 to 23:00, or 24/7 with a personal access code. Loading and unloading can be done under cover. Customers benefit from secure, climate-controlled storage with individual alarms and personalized service.