Vulnerable neighbourhoods face the greatest lack of green space |
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Major green space shortage in heavily paved districts
Residents of heavily paved neighbourhoods more often face water nuisance, stress, loneliness and health problems. This is shown by new research, 'Waar groen het hardst nodig is. Een analyse van de meest versteende buurten van Nederland', by Natuur & Milieu. In these neighbourhoods, there is on average 93 per cent less public green space than elsewhere. According to the organisation, green space is lacking 'precisely where people need it most'. Natuur & Milieu therefore calls for a national approach focused on the 260 most heavily paved neighbourhoods in the 32 largest municipalities.
| Image for illustration, generated with AI |
In almost all of the neighbourhoods studied, multiple problems occur simultaneously. After heavy rainfall, more than 20 centimetres of water often remains on the streets, making them impassable. On hot summer days, the perceived temperature can rise to as much as 45 degrees. Mental pressure is higher than average: more people experience high levels of stress and more residents feel (very) severely lonely. These neighbourhoods also have a relatively large number of older people with vulnerable health and residents with fewer financial resources to protect themselves against heat.
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Green space is lacking 'precisely where people need it most'.
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Urban challenges are piling up
The biggest challenges occur in, among others, Den Haag, Amsterdam, Tilburg, Arnhem and Dordrecht. These are neighbourhoods with few trees, little shade and limited access to green spaces. 'It is bitter that residents who would benefit most from green space have the least access to it,' says programme leader Groene Stad Wilma Berends. According to her, greening would help prevent the gap from widening further.
Call for national investment
Green space contributes to biodiversity, reduces heat stress, limits water nuisance and stimulates physical activity and social interaction. Even a view of green space can have a positive effect on health. Natuur & Milieu is calling on the new cabinet to adopt a programme-based approach and proposes investing at least 1 billion euros in greening the most heavily paved neighbourhoods during the next cabinet term.
The research is based on public data from, among others, CBS, RIVM, Klimaateffectatlas and BGT. The methodology was reviewed by Wageningen University & Research and consultancy firm Sweco.
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Even a view of green space can have a positive effect on health.
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This article was previously published on 8 December 2025 on the Stad + Groen website.
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| Wageningen University and... | |
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