| dc.description.abstract | In the Netherlands, arranging the numerous space claims within the limited space is a considerable challenge. This applies not least in view of the urgent need for housing development. New urban development is inevitable in that context. The ladder for sustainable urbanization is a national legal policy instrument introduced in 2012 to promote efficient land use. However, opinions regarding this policy instrument vary and are often negative. It is argued that the ladder leads to undesirable delays and, particularly for extra-urban housing development, to unnecessarily hinders. This study aims to deepen the understanding of the ladder’s practical implementation by examining its spatial impact on housing developments in the municipality of Amersfoort. Through a qualitative single-case study, data was collected from relevant municipal and provincial policies, as well as interviews with civil servants, project developers, and a spatial planning consultant. Analysis of the data, guided by existing scientific literature, reveals that the location and nature of housing developments are not directly influenced by the ladder but rather are shaped by policy considerations and the feasibility of developers’ business cases. The ladder's principles, such as prioritizing inner-city development, have become common practice in (the implementation of) Amersfoort’s policy. While the ladder primarily functions as a potential punitive measure in legal proceedings, it has not obstructed or canceled housing developments when a thorough pre-process has been followed. Under these conditions, it can be inferred that the ladder indirectly influences the location and nature of housing developments within the municipality of Amersfoort. Although based on a single municipality and limited respondents, this study’s design provides a suitable starting point for comparative research in other municipalities or with a broader range of respondents. Further investigation is needed to position the observed prioritization of inner-city development, particularly in the seemingly contradictory context of the decentralization and deregulation of Dutch national spatial policy over the past decade. | |
