Providing sufficient physical space for diverse, innovative, and productive companies is essential for a future-proof economy. With the REV, the cabinet aims to strengthen the earning capacity of the economy, create and maintain an attractive business climate, protect national interests, and increase the resilience of the economy. The REV was announced in the Coalition Agreement and also serves as a building block for the overarching Spatial Planning Note of the cabinet that will follow later this year.

Minister Karremans: “The cabinet is sending an important signal to entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. Together with municipalities and provinces, we will work to give companies the space they need to continue growing, now and in the future. This is essential for the Netherlands: for our jobs and income, but also to avoid dependence on countries outside Europe.”

Based on 3 guiding principles, the cabinet aims to ensure sufficient physical economic space:

• A coherent spatial system at national and international levels will be ensured. This means that areas with economic activity that are of national or regional importance will be protected, such as (international) seaports and knowledge regions. Sufficient space for economic activities will be retained in these areas.
• Sufficient and diverse space for economic activities will remain throughout the Netherlands. This means that the total space for the economy must not decrease. When a business park disappears, this space must be compensated elsewhere. It is also ensured that there is sufficient space for different types of businesses, from ports and industry to knowledge clusters and offices. Existing space will be better utilized and strategically expanded.
• The strength of the different regions will be leading. The unique contribution of the regions to the Dutch economy will be utilized. There will be alignment with the local identity of a region and focus on the opportunities that local characteristics offer, such as existing businesses and location.

The cabinet will present the Spatial Planning Note later this year, which will contain the long-term vision for the spatial arrangement of the Netherlands. The REV is one of the building blocks for this note. Additionally, together with provinces, municipalities, and the business community, work will be done in the coming time on an implementation agenda to bring the Spatial Economic Vision into practice.