Transitions in Dutch environmental planning: new solutions for integrating spatial and environmental policies

Environmental planning in the Netherlands is in the process of integrating spatial planning and environmental policy, in an effort to develop and protect physical features which contribute to quality of life in urban areas. This is not an easy task, because spatial planning and environmental policy are often in conflict rather than being complementary. Spatial planning in the Netherlands has traditionally been a responsibility of local governments, while the national government has promulgated environmental policy, which local governments are expected to implement. However the approach to dealing with environmental issues has recently undergone rapid change, as these issues have become increasingly complex and with growing recognition that they are importantly related to public local development objectives. This has given rise to the realization that programmes for resolving environmental conflicts can no longer be solely the responsibility of the national government; that local governments are often in the best position to solve environmental-spatial conflicts that are unique in character. The shift in approach and responsibility is presented here in a policy-approach model. This change of policy is narrowing the previous gap between spatial planning and environmental policy in the Netherlands.