Peter Groote

Output effects of infrastructure investment in the Netherlands, 1853-1913

Using a new data set that allows for a distinction between transport and other categories of infrastructure investment, this paper finds strong evidence of a positive impact of transport infrastructure investment on Dutch GDP in the second half of the nineteenth century. However, as the time-series characteristics do not allow us to find permanent effects, these are short- and medium-run effects. We employ Granger-causality tests in a Vector AutoRegression (VAR) framework. Furthermore, the VAR models are analyzed using innovation accounting.

The empirics of growth

SummaryThis study explores the long-run dynamics of economic growth, with particular reference to The Netherlands. The time span covered extends backwards to the mid-nineteenth century, using new time series on disaggregated physical and human capital stocks for the period 1850-1913. Economic growth in the nineteenth century is shown to have had a strong physical capital-using bias, initially concentrated in buildings and infrastructure. The close relationship between investment in machinery and economic growth did not begin to take shape until the end of the nineteenth century, to increase in strength in the course of the twentieth century.

Measuring age differentials in representations of rurality in The Netherlands

Abstract The importance of representations of the rural in discussing the competition for rural space by different functions is increasingly acknowledged. It is known from the literature that these representations differ for specific groups of actors, but empirical measurement of such differences lags far behind conceptual discussions. In this paper we propose methodologies of classifying different representations and analysing these in the framework of a multinomial logit regression model. The analysis shows that visual-figurative images of the countryside are predominant. Elderly people tend to add a socio-cultural flavour to such images. Younger people, however, add functional representations of rurality to the visual-figurative image base. They often portray the countryside as a one-dimensional agricultural production zone. Such age differences will clearly have consequences for rural policies. In the first place in developing policies that are targeted towards specific age groups. In the second place in deconstructing age-related representations of rural policy makers themselves. What the exact consequences will be is however less clear. For that it is important to develop a methodology for separating age effects from cohort effects.

Analysing hiker movement patterns using GPS data: Implications for park management

In natural areas, park management organisations need to cater for economic, environmental, recreation and social demands and values. However, multifunctional land use also creates conflicts. Increased numbers of people using an area could exceed its ecological carrying capacity. The recreational quality of areas could be negatively impacted by conflicts in recreational behaviour. Therefore, park managers require spatio-temporal data on visitor flows, but there appears to be a shortage of suitable visitor data. If there are data available, these often do not deliver the information required by managers and there is little guidance on appropriate monitoring variables. This paper therefore combines user movement analysis with environmental and ecological factors for natural resource management. Through a case study we describe the entire working process from field data acquisition to usable park management information. GPS and itinerary data from 138 visitors to the Drents-Friese Wold National Park (the Netherlands) were collected to estimate visitor densities and distribution patterns within the park. Data acquisition is efficient in the working process, but careful error handling is a time consuming but necessary part of it. We introduce the definition of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ errors to make spatial analysis more flexible. We show that walking speed, trip time and spatial distributions varied between park visitor groups. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis showed that factors such as the presence of marked trails, distance to facilities but not land use (such as forest or arable land) explained visitor distributions. Patterns differ between respondent groups based on group size and composition, which is also true for itinerary variables such as walking speed and trip time. The combination of high resolution location data with itinerary information from respondents provides a good impression of the different walking preferences of different respondent groups. We conclude therefore that combining GPS data with itinerary information is a useful tool in profiling different natural park visitors. This is useful information for park managers in steering tourists and in catering for different visitor demands in natural parks.

Roadside memorials from a geographical perspective

Abstract Roadside memorials are frequently visible in the Netherlands. Such a memorial marks a previously anonymous roadside, which is transformed into a place with special, even sacred, meanings to the bereaved, as it is the place where their loved one has died. We look at these memorials from a geographical point of view, i.e. we discuss the memorials as meaningful places. How do these places look, how do they function and what do they mean? We created a database consisting of information on more than 300 memorials, including photographs of about 150 of these and we interviewed 24 bereaved who established a memorial. The exact geographical location of the fatal traffic accident turns out to be crucial as it marks the ultimate transformative event that has taken place: from life to death. Temporary memorials are mainly established by friends, whereas parents construct more permanent ones. We argue that roadside memorials are part of wider communication networks. They provide a place for the bereaved to communicate not only with the deceased, but also with the outside world about what they consider a ‘bad death’. Consequently, the establishment, maintenance and communication possibilities of roadside memorials constitute a way to give meaning to an otherwise senseless death.

Infrastructure and economic development in the Netherlands, 1853–1913

Economic historians have always assigned a large role to infrastructure in the process of economic growth. For instance, it is commonly agreed that infrastructure endowments made the Netherlands the economic superpower in the pre-industrial era, but depressed economic growth in the first half of the nineteenth century, and then again enabled modern economic growth in the second half of the nineteenth century. However, this hypothesis has never been tested quantitatively, mainly because of the lack of reliable data. A new database on infrastructural investments allows us to confirm the hypothesis for the second half of the nineteenth century. Our main conclusion is that the investments in new infrastructure (mainly railways and waterways), clearly paid off. However, these positive effects lasted only temporarily; the Dutch economy did not switch to a permanently higher growth path. Also, it was some time before entrepreneurs fully reaped the potential benefits of a better infrastructure.

Expressions of Private Mourning in Public Space: The Evolving Structure of Spontaneous and Permanent Roadside Memorials in the Netherlands

A visual content analysis of photos of 216 roadside memorials in the Netherlands was undertaken together with 24 interviews with the people who constructed them to understand how they deal with traumatic death. Friends urgently need to memorialize the deceased and establish spontaneous memorials. They place meaningful objects at the place of death, not necessarily indicating the deceaseds identity. In contrast, permanent memorials identify who died and re-embody that person and are primarily established by parents. By transforming the death site into a place of care, parents continue their role as nurturers. Differences in types of memorials are discussed.

Postmodern crematoria in the Netherlands: a search for a final sense of place

ABSTRACT Since 2002, cremation has been the dominant form of bodily disposal in the Netherlands. Consequently, people are increasingly using crematoria as places to say farewell to their loved ones. However, in contemporary society, with its growing demand for more personalised death rites, many crematoria have been criticised for being technical ‘non-places’ rather than symbolic ones permitting emotional fulfilment. We selected recently-built crematoria in Haarlem, Leusden and Zoetermeer to examine whether they display new postmodern design principles. Although the architects of these crematoria had to incorporate modern principles, in particular for the functional aspects of the buildings, they clearly also invested in their symbolic function. The crematoria are designed as uplifting places to celebrate the life lived in a meaningful and bright environment, and to finalise the ritual procession in the crematory area.

Standard of Living Effects Due to Infrastructure Improvements in the 19th Century

We use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze the relationship between the biological standard of living and the development of the transport network in 90 municipalities located in the rural provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, the Netherlands, in the historical context of the 19th century. By running advanced spatiotemporal models, we find empirical evidence in favor of the so-called antebellum puzzle. This puzzle states that although the 19th-century infrastructure improvements had a positive effect on the standard of living in the long term, the short-term effect is negative.

Using a social-ecological systems perspective to understand tourism and landscape interactions in coastal areas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at the potential synergies between tourism and landscapes and examine the potential contribution of tourism to build social-ecological resilience in the Dutch Wadden. Design/methodology/approach The authors reveal how a social-ecological systems perspective can be used to conceptualize the Wadden as a coupled and dynamic system. This paper is a conceptual analysis that applies this approach to the Dutch Wadden. The data used for the inquiry primarily comes from a literature review. Findings The authors argue that the social-ecological systems perspective is a useful approach and could be used to improve the governance of multi-functional socio-ecological systems in coastal areas. Opportunities for synergies between tourism and landscapes have been overlooked. The authors consider that tourism and nature protection are potentially compatible and that the synergies should be identified. Research limitations/implications This paper is only a conceptual application rather than an empirical case study. Further research to actually apply the methodology is needed. Practical implications Managers of protected areas should consider applying a social-ecological systems approach. Social implications The views of a wide variety of stakeholders should be considered in landscape planning. Originality/value The value of this paper lies in the articulation of the social-ecological systems perspective as a way to identify and understand the complex interactions between tourism and landscape, and the potential synergies between them.