| Abstract: | The Dutch national government is pursuing an urbanization policy by which most development is to be concentrated in and around a limited number of towns and cities. This policy can be seen as a continuation of the previous policies of the national government, but in a more extreme form. Furthermore that government is trying to get it realized in new ways, with the municipalities in a city region working together more closely and assuming more of the financial responsibility. It is too soon to say whether the new policy will succeed, but some of the necessary conditions are not being met. In particular, the reorganization of local government is meeting great difficulties, and the land and housing markets are changing in unforeseen ways. Tim Zwanikkenis researcher at the University of Nijmegen, School of Environmental Studies. Barrie Needham is Professor of Spatial Planning at the University of Nijmegen, School of Environmental Studies. |
