Pulling together

The Council argues that the spatial and economic development of this region must be strengthened to improve the competitiveness of the region and the country as a whole.
Aerial photo Schiphol/Amsterdam Metropolitan Region

The spatial and economic development of the Schiphol/Amsterdam metropolitan region must be strengthened to improve the international competitiveness of the region and the country as a whole. To achieve this all parties concerned – government, businesses and citizens - will have to pull strengths together. A balanced improvement of the region's competitiveness will require a careful combination of regional and supraregional interests. The Council states that this combination should ideally be realized within the region itself. In this advice 'Pulling together ' the Council answers the questions of the State Secretary that arose regarding the national Spatial Strategy for Mainport Amsterdam Schiphol Haarlemmermeer (SMASH).

In his advice the Council formulates recommendations on how to strengthen this cooperation, paying special attention to the role of the national government. National government should focus on the functioning of the governance system as a whole. If the national government sets out clear goals, policy parameters and procedures, the region can draw up a strategy that meets these requirements and at the same time advances its own objectives.