ABSTRACT
The term 'planning agency' is used to refer to a body of the public administration which has the statutory task and responsibility for preparing and executing land-use policy for its area, and which has been given statutory powers to do just that. This chapter is about the Dutch planning agencies and the plans that they make. Organising more active public participation taking the plan to the people, inviting citizens to contribute their own ideas is not required, but many planning agencies do that nevertheless. Planning practice in urban municipalities is the part of Dutch land-use planning that deserves most special attention. Moreover, the differences between the Dutch regions are increasing, so it has become less appropriate for the national government to impose one policy throughout the country. Much of Dutch environmental policy is strongly influenced by EU regulations: and the Dutch environmental law does not connect well with the European union (EU) procedures.
