In the past, too little account has been taken of the existing spatial identity of residential areas in the undertaking of transformation processes. Architectural, urban developmental and cultural-historical value has been lost as a result. Yet it is possible to transform the physical environment of a residential area - by means of restructuring, re-use or redesign - in a manner that preserves its spatial identity. This is revealed by the study: 'Transformatie van woonwijken met behoud van stedenbouwkundige identiteit' (Transformation of residential areas with the preservation of developmental identity), which was published on March 20 by the Ruimtelijk Planbureau (RPB). It is a general trend that identity and cultural history is becoming more important for residential environments. If and how identity can be preserved is dependant on the nature and extent of the transformation task.