This Structural Vision represents the Netherlands government's commitment to a powerful approach that allows for regional customisation, prioritises investments and improves spatial developments and infrastructure. The Structural Vision responds to several challenges involving sustainable development: increasing spatial differences; growth in mobility needs, prosperity and employment; strengthening of economic sectors concentrated in the urban regions; unique spatial structure of the land in the Netherlands; rising of sea level, due to climate change impacts, and related hazards, such as flooding and drought; increasing demand for electricity and gas, and consequent generation and transport of energy; increasing the supply of sustainable and renewable energy sources. In order to respond to these challenges, the Vision focuses on these solutions: increasing role of farmers and smallholders in rural areas in protecting and managing the environment; increasing rural development and sustainable urbanisation; strengthening infrastructure system involving water services, housing, environment, nature and cultural heritage; development of the Delta Programme focused on protection against flooding, supply of clean and fresh water, climate-proof urban development; strengthening the transport sector, particularly ports, main and green-ports, and related hinterland connections; improving accessibility in conjunction with spatial development. Concerning the quality of the living environment, the Vision focuses on: protection from noise pollution and external safety risks; improving the quality of the soil, water and air, in compliance with the highest international standards; taking into account environmental impacts of spatial and infrastructural development; compliance of spatial plans for urban and rural development with water management requirements; taking proper management measures to safeguard both the quantity and quality of the country's main water system, including surface waters and sea waters; protecting water from pollution and implementing early warning systems and disaster management plans; protection of wildlife habitats and development of wild flora and fauna species; creation and maintenance of a network of nature areas providing appropriate spatial, hydrological and environmental conditions for characteristic ecosystems of national and international importance.
Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · 2012-03-01