The Netherlands transforms the way it manages specific areas of the country

National place-based policies in the Netherlands

Investments in infrastructure and housing are now better coordinated and focus on strong city-regions. These place-based policies strengthen regions in the Netherlands, complement other national initiatives, and fit with the growing importance of cities as economic drivers. However, accessibility and housing remain major challenges, according to OECD’s new report called ‘National place-based policies in the Netherlands’.

Science parks to encourage strong economic clusters

Policies to bolster the economic structure of the main regions of the Netherlands could be fine-tuned, expanded and more coherent. The policy approach, as developed in the ‘Peaks in the Delta-program’ and the ‘Randstad urgency program’, is an important accomplishment and should be continued. National policies should – in line with the Randstad 2040 vision- focus even more on regional comparative advantages and stimulate synergies between the different regions. For example, the national government could create science parks in order to encourage strong economic clusters.

Report makes recommendations on housing squeeze

The report also makes a number of recommendations aimed at reducing the housing squeeze - a persistant problem in large urban regions. Given predictions that housing-starts in the coming years will be slow in many parts of the Netherlands, the government could extend national funding beyond 2010. Rental markets could be liberalized and social housing and rental subsidies targeted to people who need it most. The market for owner/occupied homes could be reformed by lowering or abolishing the transfer tax and phasing out tax credits and subsidies for home owners.

Source

Website | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)