Specialism 2: Rural areas

Question 1

What is the key context of rural areas in The Netherlands?

Answer 1

• The Netherlands is small
• The land is (mostly) flat
• (Significant parts) reclaimed from the sea
• Weather: rain and sunshine
• Clever crop rotation
• Particular products (ex. seed potatoes, flowers, meat products, dairy)
• Infrastructure hub
• Big business

Question 2

What are the challenges in agriculture?

Answer 2

• High-tech, knowledge driven: added value (imported and (re-)exported)
• specific products have high-value (ex. seed potatoes)
• market (demand and supply): imperfect, because land is relevant and limited
• infrastructure (ex. roads, airports, ports)
• animals, meat, dairy, cheese

Question 3

What is land-use planning in rural areas?

Answer 3

Somewhere the urban needs to stop and the rural needs to start. Also different land-use functions (nature, recreation, LILA-concept, energy landscapes).

Leads to zoning: the owner can’t do everything with their land.

Land is more expensive with building, so without zoning farmers would build up their land.

Question 4

What do chains and cycles mean for rural areas?

Answer 4

You have the water cycle and the nitrogen cycle.

The nitrogen cycle has an impact on climate warming and decline in biodiversity. It’s complex.

You can make regulations, but because of the complexity this is often not in line with reality. If you have the law, you should adhere to it.

Question 5

What is the institutional design in rural areas?

Answer 5

1924: first land consolidation act (rearrange land for more efficient agriculture)

Since 1939: More awareness for nature

• 1975: national parks
• compact cities: surroundings open and nature rich
• nature network
• maintain and improve heritage and nature development

1979: bird directive from EU (list of rare and endangered bird species and obligation for member states to maintain and regulate the stipulated bird populations)
1992: habitat directive (rare and endangered animals)
2000: Natura 2000 network (European nature networks; connectivity between nature places)
2007: Rural development act (WILG; simpler procedures and integrated approach to rural areas)

Question 6

What are important actors in rural areas?

Answer 6

• KNHM (Nederlandse Heidemaatschappij), now Arcadis: land consolidation
• natuurmonumenten
• staatsbosbeheer
• ministry of agriculture, nature and food quality
• cultural heritage agency of the Netherlands
• university of Wageningen
• EU
• VVV
• Royal Flora Holland

Question 7

What are the tools used in planning rural areas?

Answer 7

Ruilklassenkaarten: maps showing the quality of the land, soil, and groundwater levels for agricultural purposes. Used in the proces of land consolidation

Question 8

What are the trends in rural areas?

Answer 8

• Energy landscapes: using land for energy
• LILA: living in leisure rich areas
• Agricultural economy is growing: more food export, urban agriculture, skyscraper farming)