New nature areas in Strategic Green Space projects

Since 1999, the area of land acquired for new nature areas within the context of the Strategic Green Space projects has increased significantly. The actual redevelopment of this land as nature areas is, however, behind schedule.

Trends

Some 6% of the 23 307 hectares envisaged for new nature areas within the context of the Strategic Green Space projects (Strategische Groenprojecten, SGPs) has been created, i.e. acquired and redeveloped. Since 1998, the amount of land acquired has increased significantly, however: to 42% in 2001.

Since 2001, acquisition of land would seem to have come to a standstill and the conversion of the land acquired into nature areas is also behind schedule.

Policy objectives

The SGPs are intended to create new nature areas, recreational areas and forest and woodland as quickly as possible. There are twelve SGPs that focus on new nature areas. The Green Space Structure Plan (Structuurschema Groene Ruimte) specifies a figure of 16 650 hectares in 2013 as the target for new SGP nature areas. That target figure has since been gradually increased by the provinces - in their "area perspectives" - to 23 307 hectares in 2001. The increase is partly due to the addition of two new SGPs (Fort Sint Andries and Schouwen), more recreational green areas in the SGPs for Vinkeveen-Nieuwkoop, Grote Wielen-Oude Venen and Schouwen, and more nature development in the Midden-Groningen SGP.

There are also another six SGPs focusing on recreational green areas in the Randstad (the conurbation in the west of the country); these form part of the "Randstad Green Structure" (Randstadgroenstructuur).