English

Sturdy windmills, a clear blue sky, and fields full of cows. What could be more Dutch? Visitors from abroad are often pleasantly surprised by this charming sight, so close to the city. Living and working in the Haaglanden region mostly relates to urban developments. The municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg is about to change all that: by investing in green areas to do justice to the unique character of the Netherlands.

The city’s green lungs
That interest is gradually extending into tourism and recreation. The northern zone of Haaglanden is a fabulous open area, to which hardly any attention is paid. “Whereas the typical Dutch windmill scenery is so authentic compared to the densely built-up area of the city,” Van Haersma Buma thinks. “It only takes a short cycling trip to enter an oasis of calm. Workers from abroad find this particularly surprising about the Netherlands. We should be taking more advantage of this proximity. By investing in the unique green lungs of the city. The image of windmills against a clear blue sky is an invincible one.”

Rowing and canoeing
The area around Leidschendam/Voorburg is being adapted to accommodate tourism and recreation, so that when you’re cycling along the fields there’s more on offer than just a pretty view. By 2015, this part of the countryside should have its own characteristic image. The aim is to make the countryside more accessible, with nature as the primary focus. The large polder is to serve as a storage of water for various activities. Ditches will be linked up, for instance, to allow for rowing and canoeing. The activities will mean an added value for this natural area, which is why there will be canoes, but no speedboats. Catering facilities and other businesses will not play a major role, but tourist accommodation on farms will be allowed. The basic principle for the entire project is to permanently divide urban areas from natural areas. “Hustle and bustle is great for a city and seaside resorts, but let’s keep it there. Instead of all that action, here you can enjoy the natural peace and quiet, all year round. That’s what makes this area so unique,” says the mayor. “These are character locations in a green environment, gaining more and more interest”.

For more information:
Within The Netherlands - Tel.  14 070
From abroad - Tel. +31 70 3009000

Source:
Global Dutch july 2005

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