Urban green spaces shrink in major Dutch cities, study finds
Public green space in the Netherlands' largest municipalities has decreased by 24 percent per household over the past five years, according to a study released Monday by environmental group Natuur & Milieu in collaboration with Sweco, an architecture and engineering consultancy. The findings, presented ahead of the December 11 Housing Summit hosted by Housing Minister Mona Keijzer, reveal significant urban greening challenges in the face of increasing residential development.
The study analyzed the 30 largest Dutch municipalities, finding a net loss of 658 hectares (2.5 percent) of public green space over five years. Of these municipalities, 21 experienced a decline in green areas as urbanization expanded. The most severe reductions were observed in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague, where seven out of ten neighborhoods are now classified as "paved" due to insufficient greenery.
“A neighborhood is considered paved when there is less than 75 square meters of public green space per household or when there is no contiguous green area of at least one hectare,” the report stated. The number of paved neighborhoods increased by nearly 8 percent during the study period.
“Almost everyone acknowledges the importance of green cities and the joy of having a nearby park or beautiful trees,” said Rob van Tilburg, Director of Programs at Natuur & Milieu. “Yet, more and more people are living in neighborhoods dominated by concrete, stone, and asphalt.”
Natuur & Milieu called on the national government and local municipalities to reverse the trend, criticizing the lack of prioritization for green spaces in urban planning. “Green visions often remain a paper reality. Without national policies and regulations to ensure a minimum amount of green space, urban greenery will continue to lose out in decision-making,” Van Tilburg said. He emphasized that investing in greenery contributes to public health and mitigates risks such as urban heat islands and flooding.
The organization recommended implementing a nationwide green standard in the Environment and Planning Act, requiring municipalities to meet minimum greening requirements. Additionally, it urged the national government to allocate funding for local greening initiatives.
To support municipalities, the report outlined specific strategies to increase urban greenery, including converting unnecessary paved areas into green spaces, creating vertical gardens on building facades, greening parking lots, and planting additional trees.
The study also highlighted the health benefits of urban greenery. Trees, shrubs, and parks improve air quality, reduce heat during warmer summers, and help prevent flooding during heavy rainfall. Natuur & Milieu cited earlier calculations by Sweco showing that greening one-third of Dutch urban neighborhoods could reduce the number of patients suffering from physical and mental health issues by more than 62,000 annually.
“Green urban spaces are vital for both human health and biodiversity,” the study noted, adding that even common species like blackbirds and hedgehogs are struggling to survive in increasingly paved environments.
Natuur & Milieu has long advocated for effective urban greening policies. Earlier this year, the organization launched the “Building for Nature” manifesto alongside developers and banks, calling for better integration of nature in urban development. It also collaborated with the ANWB, Vogelbescherming Nederland, and Staatsbosbeheer to propose a national green standard, which is currently under consideration by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
To raise public awareness, Natuur & Milieu announced plans to host the inaugural “24 Hours for Urban Nature” event on June 14, 2025. The event aims to engage residents, businesses, and policymakers in promoting urban biodiversity.
