EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Shrinking population requires policy reform

Shrinking population requires policy reform

Introduction

The size of the population in the Netherlands is going to decline. This shrinking population will have a great impact on the job market, commuting, industrial estates and residential construction. This has been established by a study performed at the behest of the Secretaries of the Council for Public Housing Policy (V&W raad) and the Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment Council (VROM raad). Policy must be adapted to suit these demographic changes. The study presents recommendations for both cities within and outside the Randstad conurbation.

Proposition

To what extent is population growth slowing and what consequences does an eventual decline in the size of the population for current policy have?

Description

The study 'Structural population decline: An urgent new approach for policy-makers' was carried out by the University of Maastricht, Management Consultants Peter Hovens and Klinkers Public Policy Consultants. The study describes developments and general facts and figures on population growth and decline. The study hereby analyses the consequences as it regards the job market, residential construction, offices, industrial estates and infrastructure. Plans and projects can be tested against a list of recommendations.

Conclusions

In parts of Limburg, the decline in the size of the population has already begun. This decline will soon also be noticeable in other parts of the Netherlands.
The policy on transport and mobility must take more account of this demographic development. The demographic change results, for example, in an end to the growth of industrial estates.
The Council for V&W and the VROM-raad expect that the decline in population will as yet have little effect on housing needs. This is due to the drop in the average numbers of people per dwelling.

Contact info

VROM Raad (the Netherlands Council of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment)
vromraad@minvrom.nl

Publication date

20/03/2006

Researcher

W. Derks et al.

Links

VROM Raad (the Netherlands Council of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment)

Shrinking population requires policy reform (PDF, Dutch, 536KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Employment