Planning and Design
The administrative decision for the project VeluweRandmeren was taken in 2001. The project includes 36 measures to be implemented between 2002 and 2012. The overall objective of the measures is to conserve and strengthen the balance between recreation, nature and economy in the area, where a good water quality is the key.
During the planning and design phase the governance aspects were seriously considered, as a nature based design solution using sand extraction for land development was not a common approach is the region.
Governance – Stakeholder involvement
19 governmental institutions and 21 societal organisations are working together on the project since 1996. In the planning phase (1996- 2001), these organisations formed the so-called ‘initiative-group’.
The facilitation of the process and the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders is perceived as one of the strong points of the project. Hundreds of citizens, entrepreneurs, stakeholder organizations and decision makers shared their opinion which resulted in a strong focus on the future of the Veluwerandmeren.
Yet, stakeholder involvement in the planning phase of the project turned out to be too wide-ranging. Interactive sessions with decision makers, citizens, stakeholder groups, enterprises, area managers and policy makers led to 1600 ideas which did not all fit within the scope of the project. This made the process difficult to steer.
Governance – Legislation
The following legislation played or still plays a role in the area:
- Natura2000, EU Bird-and Habitat Directive, Nature Conservation Act 1998
- Flora and fauna act
- EU Water Framework Directive, Water Management in the 21st century
- Environmental impact assessments
- Water act
- New Act on Spatial Planning
Information on historic nourishment pilots in a comparable environment are: Workummerbuitenwaard, It Soal and Mirnserklif.