News item | 11-07-2025 | 15:00
The Netherlands stands for large and urgent tasks in the spatial planning that demand the government’s direction. The space in our country is scarce and not everything is possible everywhere. The cabinet is therefore working on a new Space Memorandum with spatial choices and directions for the period up to 2050 with a glimpse to 2100.
On the proposal of Minister Keijzer (public housing and spatial planning), the cabinet today agreed to a draft version of the new bill. The choices contained herein will be independently tested in the coming period on their effects in an environmental impact assessment (Planmer). After this test, the DESIGN NOTA Space will be offered to the Chamber and formally made available for inspection in September.
Direction on space
Direction of the design of the Netherlands is necessary because the large tasks in the field of housing, accessibility, energy, defense, economy, agriculture and nature are not independent of each other. For example, housing is not possible without accessibility or the certainty of a connection to the energy network. On the other hand, combinations of functions offer opportunities, for example regional economic reinforcement at new defense locations. So related and integrated choices must be made.
‘Power of the region’
Minister Keijzer: “What we have established today in the Council of Ministers is the result of intensive collaboration with all my colleagues who stand in our living environment. We are aware of the choices we have made that the Netherlands must remain recognizable and that we continue to use the power of all regions. We build on what is already there, and what we appreciate we make stronger.”
Distinguishing regional development
Space is required for the construction of the required extra homes. The cabinet is appointing new national and regional large-scale and smaller housing locations throughout the Netherlands in the Draft Space Design Space (see map). Alkmaar, Apeldoorn, Hengelo/Enschede and Helmond are designated as a large -scale housing location of which the houses will be realized before 2035. Naturally, the ‘Wijkje there’ also becomes part of the solution for the housing shortage. Area development with new homes also requires good accessibility and space for regional economic development. New strategies are being worked out for Stedendriehoek, Twente and Limburg.
The cabinet is also taking control of the strengthening of energy-intensive industrial clusters: the seaports where energy comes ashore from the sea. They are the places where important industries are located. They are of strategic importance for our economy and resilience.
Space for agriculture, nature and water
The Design Note Space is also focusing on a strong agricultural sector and the careful dealing with agricultural land. That goes hand in hand with strengthening nature, combining nature with other functions and improving water quality. The erratic climate also requires room for holding and storing water. To keep our country safe in the future, we have to reserve enough space around the large rivers and waters to be able to cope with sea level rise and more extreme weather conditions.
Available for inspection at the end of September
The cabinet strives to send the Draft Space draft note to the room at the end of September; Together with the results of the planmer. The design is then also formally made available for inspection so that everyone can respond to the proposed choices.