The purpose of the research is to provide a concise overview of the high-rise situation and the available expertise in the housing sector in the Netherlands, specifically for interested foreign professionals. Special attention was thereby given to important subjects, such as maintenance, sustainability and occupation. It also includes a European comparison, which presents an interesting profile of the high-rise situation in the Netherlands. The average Dutch high-rise homes are relatively large, there is little owner-occupation and the proportion of households with one or two people is much higher than elsewhere in Europe.

For more than 40 years, the government has been conducting research on housing quality and housing demand, for the purposes of underpinning policy set out by VROM’s Directorate General of Housing. The data from two basic research studies, the WBO and the KWR, were used for this policy.

In the Netherlands the choice between demolition and refurbishment is often made on a case-by-case basis. However, there is a growing trend towards opting for sustainable refurbishment rather than the demolition of housing. The current research has found that integrated refurbishment (physical, economic and social) works best. Involving the occupants of the dwellings concerned at an early stage and continuing to communicate with them during the refurbishment or demolition process is essential.

TNO Bouw
J.F.T. Roeloffzen, tel. +31 15 276 31 36

25/10/2004

J.F.T. Roeloffzen, R. Lanting and Dr. N.P.M Scholten

research

Urban Policy > Housing

Housing management