News item | 13-10-2023 | 09:10
Small-scale construction on the edges of cities and villages can make a significant contribution to achieving the housing construction challenge. On behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, EIB investigated the potential of building on the edges of cities and villages, the so-called ‘small street’. This theoretical exploration looked at North Brabant, Utrecht and South Holland. The initial research shows that the sum of possible small projects on the edges of cities and villages offers a lot of potential.
In the provinces of Utrecht, North Brabant and South Holland this concerns 21,880, 58,500 and 32,650 homes. This number has not yet shown what is possible in practice. EIB research shows that there are many opportunities to build in rural areas, but that things are still not getting off the ground. Minister De Jonge will therefore consult with all provinces to see together where an additional street can be built. This is not only important for housing construction, but also for the villages that are now locked down and where facilities are deteriorating. Naturally, nature, the landscape and our World Heritage are not overlooked.
“We must allow every village to build an additional street. In this way we use locations that are otherwise not used and we strengthen the quality of life because young people and the elderly can continue to live in the village.” According to Minister Hugo de Jonge
Possible obstacles
EIB has conducted further research for North Holland into the possibilities for housing construction when also looking at obstacles caused by rules of municipalities, provinces and national government. The theoretical potential is 45,000 homes. EIB spoke with 23 municipalities. The research indicates that the possibilities for housing construction are considerably limited by municipal rules and local considerations, national regulations and provincial rules. The province also imposes these rules to protect national interests such as nature and world heritage.
The ministry wants to discuss with the provinces about offering space for small-scale construction on the edges of cities and villages, also because this could have a positive effect on the quality of life in small centers. This is also in line with the coalition programs of various provinces. Where necessary, this also requires adjustment of the rules in the provincial regulation. The aim is to make administrative agreements with the individual provinces this year, in conjunction with the administrative consultation on the progress of the housing deals.
Take control again
The government is taking back control of public housing in order to tackle the construction task together with governments and parties. Especially now that demographic developments show that the Netherlands needs even more housing. We already need 981,000 new homes by 2030. This will increase even more between 2030 and 2040. This is a significant expansion of the housing construction task, and therefore more building locations are needed. If we look for new construction locations in the city center, we must pay attention to the quality of life and we must not use up too much of the open spaces. In addition, these numbers require looking further, such as at suburban construction locations. In this way, despite the headwind from, for example, higher interest rates on the suburban option, we can still make progress.
No Ladder for small-scale projects
In addition, the rules will be over the ladder for sustainable urbanization. The Ladder stipulates that municipalities must enter into discussions with market parties and provide good reasons for why it is necessary to build in rural areas.
The EIB research showed that the Ladder in itself is not an obstacle to suburban construction, but that it does lead to extra work and is an obstacle for builders. The adjustment means that the Ladder no longer applies to small-scale projects of up to 50 homes in rural areas. This allows these projects to get off the ground better.