ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to explain the relationship between the planning system and the property market in the Netherlands in general, in Amsterdam in particular, and to describe how that relationship affects the physical development of the city. In the Netherlands there is general agreement that development should be initiated by the public sector and should take place along lines specified by that sector. The ‘shape of Amsterdam has therefore been determined by public planning. However, as most building is undertaken by the private sector, planning can exert its influence only by steering the private sector.
