EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - 'A right to Green', Part II, analysis

'A right to Green', Part II, analysis - The Netherlands

Introduction

The Council issues the 'A right to Green' advice in order to put the care for the green quality of public spaces on the agenda of a wider range of organisations and to make cities aware of the purpose served by green public spaces in terms of a good quality of life (social, environmental, socio-economical, climate in the long term).

Description

The Council for the Rural Areas is concerned about the ‘green quality’ of public space. The green quality is already insufficient and in the urban areas project development is outperforming the development of new public parks and gardens. Developing green spaces outside of the urban environment is also lagging behind the objectives. Public space is one of the main socio-spatial aspects of the environment that impact public welfare and the quality of life. These aspects are at least as important as the design, colour and height of buildings or visible landscape. Based on social and scientific considerations, six elements can be distinguished within the public space that are essential to people in terms of the perceived quality of life within this space: social safety, level of disturbance, orientation, diversity, identity and green.

The contribution made by the green aspect to the quality of life of public spaces has been the subject of this analysis

Conclusions

Various motives:

green space is vital to the quality of life, health, the local economy and nature.

Discrepancy between demand and supply:

the required amount of green public space as indicated in the Spatial Planning Policy Document (de Nota Ruimte) within the urban regions will not be achieved. The document’s objective with regard to green space around cities is too low.

Creating the green public space required is feasible both financially and in a practical sense:

means from the Investment Budget Urban Innovation and the Investment Budget Rural Areas can be used for the recovery of green spaces. For green spaces within cities, approx. 2,888 hectares of public parks and gardens is needed. For green spaces around cities, approx. 48,000 hectares for recreational or residential purposes is needed.

Transition is necessary:

verbal policy must be put into practice.

Contact info

Council for the Rural Areas
Phone: +31 33 461 99 48
raad.landelijk.gebied@minlnv.nl

Publication date

25/06/2005

Article info
ISBN: 90-77166-20-3

Links

Council for the Rural Areas

Recht op Groen - Analyse (PDF, Dut, 2 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Keywords

City centre development