Guide to 'Green spaces in and around towns' section

In their assessment of their own living environment, people consider green spaces to be very important. Green spaces for recreation, for nature, quiet and space. How much green space is there in Dutch towns? How accessible are the green spaces?
You can also go to the interactive atlas 'Green spaces in and around towns' here.

• Availability of green spaces in towns
  For the everyday use of green spaces (play, relaxation and sport), it is important to have public green spaces (parks, forests, nature reserves and recreational sites) close to housing. How much green space is there in Dutch towns?
  To the indicator and explanatory text 'Availability of urban green spaces'
  Go directly to the interactive atlas 'Availability of green spaces in and around towns'
• Availability of green spaces around towns
  Green spaces around towns also play an important role in people's leisure time. The proximity and accessibility of green spaces are also very important here. How much green space is there in and close to Dutch towns?
  To the indicator and explanatory text 'Availability of green spaces around towns'
  Go directly to the interactive atlas 'Availability of green spaces in and around towns'
• Green infrastructure: robust and coordinated
  Green spaces provide urban dwellers with nature, space, peace and quiet. Green spaces represent the rural component of urban surroundings. If people are to experience these green values, the green spaces have to be robust. In addition, the spatial coordination of urban green spaces is important in terms of the use of green spaces by people and animals. It is not only better for green areas to be linked; links with outlying areas also make them more valuable in terms of use.
  To the indicator and explanatory text 'Green infrastructure: robust and coordinated'
  Go directly to the interactive atlas 'Green infrastructure: robust and coordinated'
• Quality of green space
  Facilities in green spaces make them more valuable in terms of use. For example, people should be able to sit or swim there. But a restaurant or podium also makes the green spaces more valuable in terms of use. In addition, as in the entire living environment, upkeep and safety are important. An indicator for the quality of green space will be available soon.

Explanatory note for the interactive atlas Green spaces in and around towns

You can consult the information in the Environment and Nature Compendium about green spaces in and around towns interactively using a digital atlas. To help you, we have selected three maps. See the three links above about the availability of green spaces in and around towns and the green infrastructure. You can of course also select maps yourself, zoom in and out, and make comparisons. For example, you can use the Atlas to:

• group together types of green spaces and view them at various scales, For example at the level of the Netherlands, the fifty largest municipalities (G50), G30, municipalities and neighbourhoods.
• compare the situation with a desired quality standard or other standard.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Guidance Policy on "green space"
• Environmental pressure: distribution across socio-economic groups. Is there a link between income and the quality of the living environment, such as noise levels, the proximity of green areas, building density and environmental pressure?
• Space per capita in the Netherlands, 1900-2000

References

• Farjon J.M.J. & G.W. Lammers (2002). Beoordeling ruimtebehoefte voor 60 000 ha groen om de stad. RIVM. Report 408765002/2002.
• Jansen, S. (2001). Natuur in en om de stad. Alterra, werkdocument 2001/01, Wageningen.
• LNV (1999). Grote Stedenbeleid en Groenimpuls, Groen in en om de stad. Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Hague.
• LNV (2001). Structuurschema groene ruimte 2: samen werken aan groen Nederland. Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Hague.
• LNV (2002). Structuurschema Groene Ruimte 2, PKB 1. Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Hague.
• Middelkoop, M. van, E.J. Bruls and A.J. van Golen (2001). Rood en groen in balans; een verkenning van groennormen en alternatieve benaderingen. Stichting Recreatie, Kennis en Innovatiecentrum, The Hague.
• RIVM (2002). Environmental Balance 2002. Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn.
• Vries, S. de and J. Bulens (2001). Rapportage project "Explicitering 300.000 ha", fasen 1 en 2. Alterra, Wageningen.
• VROM (1999). De twaalf prestatievelden uit het Beleidskader Stedelijke Vernieuwing. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.
• WHO (1997). Green cities, blue cities, pamphlet no 18. World Health Organization.