Replication Data for: Open-space preservation in the Netherlands: Planning, practice and prospects

We analysed the contribution of Dutch policies to open-space preservation by comparing actual land-use developments within different restrictive planning regimes. The Green Heart is the central open space within the ring of cities in the western part of the country.

Protection of this area aimed at providing residents from the surrounding cities with opportunities for outdoor recreation at a short distance. The Buffer zones were designated in areas with a considerable urbanisation pressure and were intended to prevent specific cities from growing together into a solid urbanised belt, thus keeping separate cities recognisable as such in the landscape. In total, 10 Buffer zones have been designated, in size ranging from very small (3 hectares) to considerable (8700 hectares).