De Zeeuw bites back with his criticism of the initial draft of the spatial planning memorandum – Gebiedsontwikkeling.nu

Hugo de Jong, outgoing Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning, announced the so-called Initial draft of the spatial planning policy Sent to the House of Representatives. The preliminary design is a preliminary spatial translation of the tasks for the Netherlands towards 2050, with an eye toward 2100. It sets out options and provides direction for the choices to be made on key tasks that all require space, from agriculture and nature to housing. Economy and energy security.

The preliminary design follows the contour memorandum from October 2023, and is an intermediate step on the way to the final spatial memorandum, which constitutes a binding vision for the government. The preliminary design states that “water and soil are the driving force” and emphasizes three principles for equitable distribution of space:

• Do justice to future generations: do not pass up the responsibility. Choices should not lead to transfer to subsequent generations or to other areas.
• Equity to scarcity: multiple uses of space. Where possible, functions are combined intelligently and with high quality.
• Achieving justice for individualism: characteristics of the central region. Protecting and exploiting what exists and adding what is appropriate to the value and character of the area

The challenges facing the Netherlands are divided into three strongly interconnected “movements”: the move towards a future balance between agriculture and nature, the move towards a circular and climate-neutral society, and the move towards strong regions, cities and villages. All over the Netherlands.

The initial draft is seen as a transfer document from Minister De Jonge (CDA) to his intended successor Mona Keizer (BBB). It is up to the new government whether these assurances will be adopted.