Herstructurering en ruimtelijke ordening

Abstract

About 70 years ago the geological and geomorphological aspects of Southern Limburg were going to be used to advantage. The first aspect gave rise to coal mining and the exploitation of marl, sand, gravel and clay; the second aspect stimutated the tourist trade. Mining, however, had a negative influence on its environment from different points of view, such as natural beauty and living conditions for the community. In the eastern part of the mining area ten mines were opened up; in the western part only one. In addition to the development of roads, railroad and canals, accelerated and often haphazard housebuilding was the result, creating, however, an economic mono-structure with the exception of the chemical industry of the DSM. Like everywhere else in the Netherlands, environmental planning was not taken seriously until after world war II. Firstly the western mining region was tackled; the plan for the eastern mining region is at present under review. Planning for the western region appears to deal with the various villages and town separately. The north-south running highway (E-9) will be the backbone for all traffic. In addition attention should be paid to touristic attractions. The western region, however, is less of a problem as it already has a new car manufacturing plant and less workers. Planning for the eastern region, where about 40,000 out of in total 50,000 miners of Southern Limburg live, had to be approached in a completely different way when compared to the western region. Industrial areas had to be developed for suburban developments. One notices a clearly defined regional policy, for the eastern region a completely revamped road system is an essential requirement and it puts planning in the eastern and western regions on equal footing. The author stress the importance of planning on a provincial level. The new regional planning should encompass the whole of Southern Limburg and be able to co-ordinate short and long-term goals in process-planning type activities. By the time the last mine is closed down in 1975, major problems will remain in the eastern region and there is not yet a consensus of opinion how to solve them. In balance, although there is ample cause for satisfaction with the results of the restructuring program, there are still plenty of problems left. The basic information on the labor situation is often confused, how many people have left the area, or are planning to leave? How many are finding employment across the border in Germany and how many are planning early retirement? In short, how will the labor force develop in the near future? What is required for proper planning of policies and priorities must be agreed upon now, such as an overall plan encompassing all of Southern Limburg, co-ordinated with the short- and long-term plans of the province and its municipalities. A way must be found to direct municipalities and their planning so as to be in line with the long-term goals of the province.