Spatial Planning

Strengthening international competitiveness
Spatial policy in the Netherlands takes account of the international context and anticipates the effects of international developments. Demand for space for economic activity depends on international economic climate. Spatial planning gives attention to easing bottlenecks in the country’s two main ports of Rotterdam and Schiphol and in the major cities especially in the Randstad. For instance, the demand for office space in the Netherlands, such as the Amsterdam southern axis, is influenced by international economic growth.

Cross-border cooperation
EU and international treaties, agreements and regulations include requirements that have a significant bearing on spatial planning. For instance, infrastructure such as Trans-European Networks and the European ecological network are incorporated in the National Spatial Structure.

The Netherlands has strong ties with the neighbouring countries and other countries in Europe, particularly in the protection of nature areas and water systems that extend beyond national boundaries. Treaties and cooperation and consultation agreements have been signed with the neighbouring countries of Belgium, France and Germany.

EU policy
EU policy with an impact on spatial planning: 

• Territorial impact assessment of EU policies
• Territorial cohesion and Interreg programme
 
Territorial Impact Assessment
Many EU regulations have an impact on spatial planning and regional development in the Netherlands, for instance the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). EU nature policy has an 
impact on regional policy for natural areas and their immediate surroundings. EU policy may also be a determining factor in the process of spatial planning and regional development, for instance EU tendering procedures and the accessibility of environmental information.

Before proposing a new initiative, the European Commission assesses the potential economic, social and environmental consequences as well as the effects on national spatial planning and regional policy. This is not necessarily confined to the negative impacts but also define opportunities to combine various policy objectives with spatial planning options. 

Territorial cohesion
For the period 2007 to 2013, the Netherlands has received some 1.9 billion euros from the EU Structural Funds to which the government and private sector has contributed a further 4 billion euros. EU subsidies are granted for programmes directed to improving the economy of the Member States and to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion within the EU. 

Subsidy for the Netherlands comes from two sources – the EU Social Funds directed to creating employment opportunities and the EU Fund for Regional Development. These Structural Funds are contributing to meeting the goals of the Lisbon Treaty to make Europe in 2020 the most prosperous world region by stimulating innovation, entrepreneurship and the knowledge economy.

National, provincial and municipal governments together with social organisations have prepared the National Strategic Framework which sets out programmes to be jointly financed from EU and Dutch sources. This includes programmes to improve underdeveloped areas in the north, south, east and west of the country, as well as a national programme to create employment opportunities. Various programmes are included to strengthen transboundary cooperation between countries and trans-border regions. See www.interreg4c.net/

Interreg programme
In Europe, numerous transnational and interregional programmes are carried out on sustainable spatial and regional development. These projects are financed under the auspices of Interreg, the financing instrument of EU Cohesion Policy. Interreg funding enables governments, companies and knowledge institutes in different EU Member States to work together and to share knowledge on joint problems such as water and the environment.

Innovation projects are financed to develop and test new policy, and to collect and exchange experience. The aim is to identify innovative ways to capitalise on territorial assets and to tackle common problems of Member States, regions and other authorities.

Transnational cooperation allows countries to work together to tackle issues that extend beyond national borders. It produces transferable working models, and speeds up the process of innovation through the sharing of knowledge and development costs. The collective benefits of such collaboration are invaluable; participating organisations acquire new skills, initiate effective working methods, and strengthen their interactions in a European network.

The Netherlands participation
The Netherlands actively participates in Interreg and has taken the lead in a large number of projects. Various projects have been carried out on spatial planning and land use in relation to high water levels in rivers, accessibility of towns and cities, and the use of regional strengths such as cultural and historical heritage. As well as land-use, transport and environment, projects focus on innovation and the knowledge economy in strengthening competitiveness.

The Ministry coordinates the Netherlands programmes under Interreg IV B and C with regard to effective implementation and content. These programmes mainly concern spatial planning and sustainable development that incorporate themes of water, environment, urban policy, transport and water and coastal management.

Dutch organisations and companies are given support and facilitation in participating in Interreg programmes in various ways: 

• AgentschapNL provides support in the initial stages of preparing project proposals and may contribute to guiding a project and to the dissemination of its results.
• The Ministry sets up effective control systems for Interreg projects, some of which may be complex because of the involvement of several countries each with its own regulations and working with EU regulations.
• The Ministry may co-finance projects that meet the objectives of the National Spatial Planning Strategy. In addition, the Ministry stimulates participation in Interreg by offering subsidies for the preparation of Interreg proposals.
• The provinces and municipals also have contact persons for Interreg and give support in finding project partners or may even participate in the projects. 
• The national Interreg Advisory Committee determines the Dutch standpoint on project proposals and communicates with the international steering committee awarding projects. The Netherlands delegation to the Steering Group comprises representative of the ministry, provincial and municipal government.

See: http://www.nweurope.eu/
http://www.northsearegion.eu/ivb/home/
http://www.interreg4c.net/