Hugo Priemus

Revolution in Social Housing in the Netherlands: Possible Effects of New Housing Policies

The social rented sector in the Netherlands has always had a very special status. Unlike many other countries, in the Netherlands this sector has never been regarded as a segment exclusively for low-income households. Consequently, neighbourhoods with large numbers of social rented dwellings have never been areas for low-income households only. Since about 1990, however, the proportion of low-income households in social rented housing has increased, while high-income households can be found more and more in the owner-occupied sector. At least for the 1990s, housing policies can be seen as partially responsible for this change. In this contribution, we argue that new housing policies in the Netherlands will probably have the effect of increasing the share of low-income households in social housing even more. This holds for the policy of urban restructuring, initiated in 1997, as well as for the newest plans of the State Secretary of Housing that were launched in his Housing Memorandum at the end of the year 2000. If the proposed housing policy is implemented in the near future, we doubt whether the status of social housing in the Netherlands will continue to be so different from that of other EU countries.

How to make housing sustainable? The Dutch experience

Sustainable housing has been a major topic of national policy in the Netherlands for fifteen years. The author argues that sustainable housing is a badly defined concept, both in scientific literature and in policy documents. The Dutch government has never indicated how the sustainability of housing could be measured, or realized a zero measurement, which would enable researchers to evaluate environmental policies to promote sustainable housing properly. A narrow definition of sustainability is adopted, whereby the author concentrates on the ecological dimensions of the concept of ‘sustainability’: the environmental impact on the greenhouse effect; the quality of air, water, and soil; noise nuisance; stench; the stock of nonrenewable materials; and biodiversity. An overview of ways in which the sustainability of housing can be measured is given and the use of a multivariate yardstick advocated. A set of recommendations is presented for politicians and public officials about the way in which sustainable housing can be promoted, and a research agenda on sustainability in housing presented. The author concludes by pointing out the analogy between the Dutch governments policy to promote sustainable housing and the story of the emperors new clothes. The moral is that it is better to acknowledge that we do not know essential things about sustainable housing than simply to ‘believe’ in it.

Mobility and spatial dynamics: an uneasy relationship

Abstract This special issue of the Journal of Transport Geography sheds light on the obstinate relationship between mobility and spatial dynamics. Two classic causalities are dealt with: spatial dynamics influencing mobility; and mobility leading to certain forms of spatial dynamics. Very often the interaction between mobility and spatial dynamics is neglected by public authorities. Spatial planning, real estate development, infrastructure planning and transport policy have to be integrated within and between public bodies. In addition, public–private partnerships must be welcomed to promote synergy between mobility and spatial dynamics. Finally, the complicated relationship between mobility and spatial dynamics is an important topic for the future research agenda.

Breakthrough innovations in intermodal freight transport

Breakthrough innovations, whether technological, organizational or both, are a necessity if the market share of intermodal freight transport is to expand. The main growth potential lies in the markets for flows over short distances, for perishable and high-value commodities, for small consignments, and for flows that demand speed, reliability and flexibility. It will take radical innovations to produce a breakthrough in the modal split and allow these new markets to be conquered. This special issue is based on papers presented at an international conference on freight transport automation and multimodality, held in Delft in May 2002, that are illustrative of the direction of breakthrough research and development (R&D) aimed at increasing the market share for intermodal transport.

What are corridors and what are the issues? Introduction to special issue: the governance of corridors

Abstract Linear concepts such as the corridor have a long history in spatial and urban planning. The recent megacorridor or eurocorridor concept, proposed in the context of discussion on European territorial development, strives to integrate policies on infrastructure, urbanisation and economic development. As is shown by the example of the Netherlands, the corridor concept can count on a hostile reception from spatial planners. As an analytical concept the corridor can hardly be denied its legitimacy. Several urgent policy issues can be attached to corridor developments that together require an improved coordination between policy domains at different spatial levels.

Institutional barriers to sustainable construction

Sustainable construction has developed in the past few decades in the Netherlands to a mature subject of policy, research, and innovation. In the technological field the opportunities for sustainable construction seem to be unlimited. In practice, in the Netherlands, measures to give concrete form to sustainable construction are only scantily applied. The suspicion arises that it is not technical factors but institutional factors that underlie the fact that as yet sustainable construction has failed to force a definitive breakthrough. The authors review to what extent institutions that influence the decisionmaking of players in the building sector regarding whether or not to apply sustainable construction have hindered improvement in sustainable construction.

Light rail in urban regions: what Dutch policymakers could learn from experiences in France, Germany and Japan

Abstract In the Netherlands several light rail projects are planned to be developed to give public transport in urban regions a new stimulus. Based on the experiences with urban public transport in France, Germany and Japan, this paper shows which conditions and strategies are needed to introduce light rail successfully in the Netherlands. In addition to stimulating ridership the paper focusses on the opportunities to create synergy between public transport and urban revitalization. A plea is made for a systematic structure of the public transport network in which light rail could play a prominent role as the interconnecting transport system. In this way light rail could bring about a physical integration between urban and urban district public transport. In addition, it could create a synergy between high-quality transport, real estate development and urban vitality.

Undivided Cities in the Netherlands: Present Situation and Political Rhetoric

In various countries we observe governments aiming to produce mixed income areas to reduce or prevent spatial segregation. This almost always implies a redifferentiation, or restructuring of the housing stock of low-income areas. This strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. Redifferentiation and restructuring are based on the idea that solutions to the problems of spatial segregation and concentration can be found in the housing stock. This is also the case in the Netherlands. Since 1997, the Dutch Government has advocated a housing policy promoting a restructuring of urban neighbourhoods by building more expensive dwellings in traditionally low-income areas in order to influence the income mix in these neighbourhoods, thereby implying that this is a positive and feasible development. This paper will focus on the goals of the undivided cities formulated by the Dutch Government and the arguments concerning the relation between segregation and restructuring of the urban housing stock. The paper will ...

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SOCIAL HOUSING MANAGEMENT

In this contribution we describe a number of current changes in social housing and social housing management, moving from a social profile to economic efficiency. We sketch conceivable future perspectives for the management of social housing. The authors anticipate increasing professionalization, a tendency towards a more businesslike approach with a larger risk awareness. We expect that future managers of social housing will also remain committed to the target groups who need assistance in obtaining decent and affordable housing.

Housing As a Social Adaptation Process A Conceptual Scheme

A limited housing theory is presented that views housing as a creative adaptation process in which various mechanisms of adaptation characterize the interaction between residents and residential environment. The household life cycle and labor market career condition the development or maintenance of certain patterns of values, norms, and attitudes that, in turn, affect formation of an aspiration picture of the households residential situation. The difference between the perception of the existing residential situation and the aspiration picture can be increased (cumulative stress) or diminished (cumulative inertia) by numerous changes occurring inside or outside the household. But in general, households will endeavor to make the residential situation picture and the aspiration picture as congruent as possible. In discussing residential satisfaction five mechanisms of adaptation-classified as either active or passive-are defined. They are moving, structural conversion, change of use, change of attitude, and protest. A sixth alternative, nonadaptation, is also described. Finally, external factors that may play an important part in the selection of an adaptation mechanism are discussed.