News item | 06-10-2023 | 16:51
In anticipation of the publication of a new Spatial Policy Memorandum, Minister De Jonge (Home Affairs, Housing and Spatial Planning) today sent the Contour Memorandum to the House of Representatives. The memorandum identifies the urgent choices that governments must make in the areas of energy, nature, housing, agriculture, economy and infrastructure and provides initial substantive direction for a fair distribution of that space. The government thus regains control over spatial planning.
Certainties
The need to tackle urgent tasks is reinforced by developments such as population growth, climate change, increasing socio-cultural differences and international dependence. The amount of space is a given while the transitions only require more space. The Netherlands must choose where, how and to what we offer space to ensure that current certainties – such as sufficient food, clean drinking water and energy – also continue to exist for future generations. And making choices also means not doing things anymore.
Don’t pass on choices
The Contour Note describes three guiding principles for the equitable distribution of space:
- Choices should not lead to problems being passed on. Not to future generations. Not to other areas. Burdens and benefits must be distributed fairly.
- Furthermore, justice must be done to the scarce and valuable space. Where possible, functions should be combined smartly and with quality.
- Justice must be done to the individuality of the regions: we protect and utilize what is there and work on locally appropriate solutions.
The condition of our water and soil system will determine what is possible more than ever. Water and soil therefore become ‘guiding’ in the choices to be made. For example, we no longer build outside the dike, we take soft soils and the availability of sufficient drinking water into account.
Main spatial structure
The Contour Note identifies three ‘movements’:
- towards a balance between agriculture and nature throughout the Netherlands: for future-proof agriculture and restoration of biodiversity.
- towards a climate-neutral and circular society: for cleaner energy, more sustainable transport flows and bringing together supply and demand.
- towards strong regions, cities and villages throughout the Netherlands: future prospects for all areas.
These movements are strongly interconnected. In the run-up to a new Spatial Policy Memorandum, the cabinet is working on a main spatial structure. Maps show how the Netherlands can develop until 2050.
Direction for a just outcome
“Direction is necessary to ensure a just outcome of the choices we have to make. This means that through good stewardship we do not pass on current and future issues to subsequent generations,” says Minister Hugo de Jonge of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. “We want to utilize the whole of the Netherlands and do justice to the Netherlands in its regional differences. We look for a balance between quality of life, economy and ecology.”
Whole the Netherlands
The Contour Memorandum explicitly focuses on the whole of the Netherlands. While spatial planning previously gave priority to making what was already strong stronger, it is now necessary to make better use of all regions, creating a future perspective for all parts of our country. With an important role for a better balance between agriculture and nature and the transition to a circular economy. And with a strong commitment to the economy, housing, infrastructure and facilities in more regions and cities than is currently the case. Even in regions where growth is less obvious, the government wants to ensure sufficient facilities with room for small-scale densification of cities and villages.
Scale jump
Urbanization strategies are already being drawn up for seven regions across the country to meet the growth challenge. In the Contour Memorandum, the cabinet writes that there are opportunities for a further jump in scale in more regions: Eindhoven, the Stedendriehoek, Twente, South Limburg and a further extension of the Groningen-Assen urbanization strategy to Emmen.
Bundling functions
Existing energy and mobility networks require major adjustments to generate enough clean energy and make transport more sustainable. These functions should be bundled as much as possible. The spatial combination of supply and demand helps prevent waste of raw materials and energy and prevents cluttering of the landscape and loss of economic value through transport.
Restore water and soil system
Measures are necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of clean drinking water, to improve the quality of nature and to offer agriculture a future perspective. Both agriculture and nature depend on the recovery of the water and soil system. More space along the rivers and a higher water level in the peat meadow areas can ensure a more extensive and future-proof ecological main structure, with delta nature unique in Europe. It is important that there is an economically strong agriculture with sufficient earning capacity.
Think and act
All Dutch people can contribute ideas about the choices to be made in the Spatial Policy Memorandum. For example, an online tool is being created that allows people to ‘sit in the minister’s chair’. Possible policy options are presented in an accessible manner, allowing residents of the Netherlands to encounter the dilemmas involved in making choices for the Spatial Planning Policy. Minister De Jonge: “I particularly invite our young people to participate. The choices we have to make are about their future.”