Guidance Policy on "green space"
Index Policy on "green space" section
- Randstad Green Structure
- Spending on rural development
- Subsection Guidelines Preservation of the landscape section
"Green space" means the green, multifunctional areas outside actual nature areas. It includes green areas near where people live, and rural areas. Green space in and near towns and cities is important for recreation and for the quality of urban life. The countryside is important not only for nature and the landscape but also for food production and recreation.
Green space in and near the major cities
Policy focuses on creating more green areas around cities, including by means of the "Randstad Green Structure" (Randstadgroenstructuur).
Preservation of the landscape
The "Belvedere" memorandum outlines policy on the maintenance and development of cultural/historical features in the landscape and in built-up areas, with a number of specific Belvedere areas being designated. Some of these are subject to planning protection. Planning protection also applies to other landscapes.
An incentives policy on valuable cultural landscapes was in place between 1994 and 2000.
The government intends improving the quality of 400 000 hectares of land in rural areas. Relevant experiments are going on in the form of pilot projects.
Agrarian nature management
The European Union contributes significantly to rural development and the funds involved are used for sustainable agriculture, nature and landscape conservation, and water management. Agrarian nature management also falls into this category. Management agreements have been concluded for some 60% of the area earmarked for agrarian nature management. Participation in agrarian nature management is highest among dairy farms in the west of the country. The subsidies for many farms are quite low and make only a marginal contribution to the family income.
