 | National Urban Policy of the Netherlands Introduction
The Netherlands is one of the first European countries to have adopted an official urban policy. Much of the responsibility under this policy rests with the towns and cities themselves, with citizen participation and result-oriented implementation as two of the guiding principles. More than ever before, people realise that large city problems are difficult to resolve and need to be tackled with all partners involved. There is no place in this approach for tightly drawn bureaucratic frameworks. This is the starting point of the Urban Policy III system. The policy framework was developed under close consultation with the cities, because its objectives need to match local social situations closely. Historical Background
The Netherlands has always been comparatively highly urbanised. At the start
of the 1990s its major towns and cities were suffering a degree of social and
physical deprivation in comparison to the rest of the country. To create greater
coherence in the approach to these urban problems, the government launched its
first official Urban Policy in 1994. The cities are mainly responsible for
achieving the objectives in the context of Urban Policy.
Organisation
In the Netherlands, urban policy is implemented by two levels of government: Central Government
Several ministries of the Central Government are involved in urban
policy. Overall coordination is the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing,
Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), through its Directorate General for
Housing, Communities and Integration.
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
The Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment has two
minsters, Ms J. Cramer, Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning
and Mr. Van der Laan, Minister of Housing, Communities and Integration. Mr. Van
der Laan is primary responsible for urban policy in the Netherlands. In his
position he manages the Forty Strong Communities Action Plan which was
initiated by Van der Laans’ predecessor, Ms Ella Vogelaar.
The Cities
The towns and cities themselves bear primary responsibility for the implementation of urban policy both with and for their citizens, businesses and institutions. Measurable goals are formulated to this end in consultation with those directly concerned and with neighbouring local authorities. These goals must be ambitious enough to keep all local and regional partners on their toes, but at the same time they must be realistic enough to be achievable. Collaboration between the cities and the central government is based on the
following:
Large cities policy (GSB)
In 1994, on the initiative of the four largest cities in the Netherlands (The Hague, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Amsterdam; G4 or Grote 4) the state initiated the Large Cities Policy (GSB). It has since grown into a full-fledged policy, involving thirty-one large and medium-sized cities. The GSB leaves it up to the cities to determine how they wish to achieve results in different areas. The cities, after all, know best what they want to accomplish and how they want to do it. Agreements have been made with the thirty large cities for the period from 2005–2009. The large cities policy for the period from 2005–2009
In 2005, the new phase of the large cities policy (GSB III 2005–2009) went into effect. Its main themes are: - improving and increasing security; - improving integration and citizenship; - improving the residential districts; - strengthening the economic structure; - investing in the young. The towns and cities covered by central government urban policy are divided
into two groups. The first group is the G4, comprised of the Cities of
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. The second Group, the G27, is
comprised of the Cities of Almelo, Deventer, Enschede, Hengelo, Zwolle, Breda,
's-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Helmond, Tilburg, Arnhem, Heerlen, Maastricht,
Nijmegen, Venlo, Sittard-Geleen, Dordrecht, Groningen, Haarlem, Leeuwarden,
Leiden, Schiedam, Alkmaar, Amersfoort, Emmen, Lelystad and Zaanstad.
Current Issues
Process themes:
Substantive themes
Key Programmes
Forty Strong Communities Action Plan
The district-based plan highlights 40 communities, focusing particularly on
housing, employment, education and development, integration and security. The
plan represents an effort in addition to current urban policy (e.g. Major Cities
Policy and Investment Budget for Urban Renewal), which is currently being
implemented and will be further developed starting in 2010. A total of €920
million has been earmarked in 2008 for the promotion of strong cities and vital
communities. This includes €570 million for the Major Cities Policy. The
national government is consulting with corporations about the financing of
additional efforts in the communities.
URBAN projects
The URBAN projects are an initiative of the European Commission. Their
purpose is to support innovative projects oriented towards stimulating economic
activity in deprived districts. This involves the creation of employment
opportunities and improving the living conditions and security. In the period
from 1994–1999, there were four 'URBAN districts' (in the G4). In the second
URBAN period, from 2000–2008, projects in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Heerlen were
supported.
Objective 2 for Urban Areas
Objective 2 for Urban areas is a European Union subsidy programme. The
programme helps cities carry out projects that will benefit deprived areas. It
is attuned to urban planning.
The Special Measures Act for large-city problems
On 1 January 2006, the Special Measures Act for large-city problems came into
force. This act gives the cities more latitude to take their own measures to
combat specific problems. They are given more possibilities to strengthen the
economic climate, organise housing for certain income groups and close premises
that create a nuisance.
Strengthening the economic climate
To strengthen the investment and business establishment climate, the property
taxes for businesses can be lowered. This removes part of the costs of the
management and ownership of property incurred by the enterprises. Cities with
more than 100,000 inhabitants are given the possibility to work on improving the
entrepreneurial climate and business activity in deprived areas.
Approach to housing problems
Housing problems, such as overcrowding, can be more effectively addressed. As
a result of the act, cities can proceed with closing premises that impair the
quality of life of the neighbourhood and pose a hazard to health or safety, for
example.
56 districts programme
The 56 districts programme seeks to accelerate urban renewal in 56 districts.
Councils and local partners enter into contracts about the results to be
achieved in the districts. Cities are asked to include the targets and
agreements for these districts in their long-term development programmes.
|
| ||
| | |
