Rural area
Integrated and area-based approach
essential for rural areas
How do we find the balance between caring for nature and a healthy (agricultural) economy. The development of rural areas is an essential component in this. Witteveen+Bos believes that systems analysis, stakeholder participation and tailor-made solutions are the crucial building blocks for achieving a supported transition.
Rural areas are currently facing numerous challenges. The restoration of biodiversity, , soil quality, water quality (WFD), the ongoing nitrogen issue and the transition of the agricultural sector.
Pressure on rural areas is further increased by the spatial problems in urban areas. The housing challenge finds its way into the space between city and country. This also applies to spatial claims driven by the energy transition and increasing recreation.
Soil and water system as foundation
Witteveen+Bos is committed to an integrated and area-based approach. This starts with an understanding of the system: how are the different ecological and socio-technical systems built up, and how do they interact? The foundation for this is a robust and sustainable soil and water system. Water and soil serve as a starting point for spatial developments.
Area-based approach
We believe in an integrated systems analysis and an area-based approach to make rural areas more sustainable. The variety of the challenges requires tailor-made solutions. Witteveen+Bos has the knowledge of and vision for the transition process required to enable area parties to take steps towards developing appropriate sustainability measures.
From everyone’s position, responsibility and interest in the area, we can consider the various tasks holistically and formulate the conditions that lead to sustainable integrated solutions. Our experts from different fields of expertise provide the necessary insights into the complex systems. This combination of tailor-made solutions, process approach and technical knowledge provides a shared and factual picture of what works and what does not, as well as what the strategic choices are.
Multi-level contributions
The experts at Witteveen+Bos are keen to contribute to a sustainable transition of rural areas. Based on the soil, the networks and land occupation (layer approach), but also based on the process. This includes transition processes, policy programmes for rural areas, design study and landscape design. Click on the tiles below to learn more about our vision and areas of expertise concerning the major challenges facing our rural areas.reas.