A place to remain in the village. Dutch planning cultures and rural housing policies from 1945 onward

Historical consciousness leads to a deeper understanding of rural housing policies and helps to find structural solutions to the present-day situation. This statement is illustrated with a study on two villages in the Dutch province of Drenthe. Starting with a historical account of the post-war ‘top-down’ planning culture, the analysis moves further by assessing the change towards a ‘bottom-up’ planning culture. This culture fulfils the needs of those who living in villages better. However, old habits remain in place and hamper the new culture to become more mature. Historical consciousness helps administrators, civil servants, and actors from the local civil society to become aware of (in)effective behaviour. The concept of a new ‘bottom-up’ planning culture helps them to develop the formal and informal ways for the construction of housing further.