OECD Rural Policy Reviews: Netherlands
How does one meet the challenges of rural development in a country that is arguably one of the least "rural" among the OECD? Faced with high population density, close proximity of urban areas and urban-rural linkages, rural areas in the Netherlands have witnessed a gradual disappearance of characteristically rural landscapes and a deterioration of biodiversity. Future developments will increase pressures on rural land use, making a policy framework to address these challenges only more pertinent.
Dutch rural policy has recently been decentralised so that regional differences can be better taken into account. Although it is a promising development, decentralisation of rural policy raises concerns about policy coherence, provincial capacity and regional autonomy. The abundant urban-rural linkages in the Netherlands will require close co-ordination between rural and urban policies. In addition, instruments for land development will have to be strengthened to balance both current and future demands for rural land use.
Long abstract
