Study Trip to the Netherlands

About this blog

The purpose of the visit is to give a first hand experience of a wide rangeof examples in the development of sustainable communities and infrastructure in the Netherlands, as well as a greater understanding of how these projects became reality. Both the Netherlands and the UK face similar challenges, including: - densely populated areas and a shortage of land; - pressures to improve the housing stock; - demographic trends - a rising population and high levels of immigration from abroad into the main cities; and - the challenges of climate change. The study visit to the Netherlands will provide the opportunity to meet the planners, officers, politicians and residents who are working together to tackle a variety of environmental and social issues; many of those similar to the ones facing communities here in the UK. The Dutch Ten Year Housing Programme (1996-2005) called VINEX has similar objectives to the British Sustainable Communities Plan, giving considerable scope for drawing lessons. Delegates will visit inspiring examples of good practice in a range of situations, with an emphasis on places that have undergone regeneration with similarities in the UK. The itinerary includes frequent opportunities to discuss and share knowledge with each other and our hosts in the Netherlands.