Recognisability of valuable landscapes
The landscapes deemed to be valuable are those that are rare outside the Netherlands, and those that are rare within the Netherlands, little spoiled and still contain many characteristic elements. These landscapes are predominantly the polder landscapes, the river region and the dunes.
Current situation
The most valuable Dutch landscapes in international and national terms are those whose evolutionary history is still recognisable from their elements and patterns. They are the old marine clay landscapes in Friesland, Groningen, Walcheren and Zuid-Beveland, large parts of the peat pasture landscapes in the west, centre and north of the country, and the polders reclaimed from lakes (Haarlemmermeer, Ronde Venen, Schermer, Beemster and Purmer). The dunes are another pristine landscape. There are also scattered parts of internationally valuable landscapes such as the Veluwe and the river region.
Technical note
Three criteria have been used to select the landscapes shown on the map: the international significance of Dutch landscapes (code I), the degree of deterioration or trend in deterioration (code T) and the rarity at national scale (code Z). The smallest units on the map are areas of 250x250 m whose I, T and Z values have been determined.
The distinctiveness of areas has been determined on the basis of their landforms, archaeology, reclamation history, architecture and characteristics of scale (see: Characteristic landscape elements and patterns).
Using the five criteria given above the "ITZ" landscapes have been subdivided into the four classes of recognisability shown on the map.
References
- Farjon, J.M.J., G.H.P. Dirkx, A.J.M. Koomen, J.A.J. Vervloet en G.W. Lammers (2001). Neder-landschap Internationaal: Bouwstenen voor een selectie van gebieden landschapsbehoud. Rapport 358. Alterra. Wageningen.
- LNV (2000). Natuur voor mensen, mensen voor natuur. Nota natuur, bos en landschap in de 21e eeuw. Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserij. Den Haag.
- LNV (2002). Structuurschema Groene Ruimte 2. Samen werken aan groen Nederland. Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserij. Den Haag.
- OC&W (1999). Nota Belvédère: Beleidsnota over de relatie cultuurhistorie en ruimtelijke inrichting. Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschappen. Den Haag.
- VROM (2001). Ruimte maken, ruimte delen. Vijfde Nota over de Ruimtelijke Ordening 2000/2020. Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieubeheer. Den Haag.
