Milieu- en Natuureffecten Nota Ruimte

The latest Dutch National Policy Document on Spatial Planning, was released in April 2004 by the Ministry of VROM. The Ministry asked the four National Assessment Agencies (CPB, SCP, RPB and MNP) to evaluate the effects of the new policy document. The report of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP-RIVM) describes the consequences for the environment, nature, landscape and water. One of the main conclusions is that the conservation of nature/landscape and accessibility will benefit from the concentration of urban developments. The Policy Document on Spatial Planning aims to concentrate new urban developments around existing larger cities. This gives the opportunity to create the desired urban and green living environments, while at the same time it will minimize the negative impacts on nature and landscape and keep employment and services accessible