Spatial memo: Coordination of new greenhouse horticulture sites

If it were up to the national government, new clusters of greenhouse horticulture could have been developed near new sustainable heat sources.

This is clear from him Initial draft of the spatial memorandum From the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The future spatial planning of the Netherlands (2050) is discussed in the spatial policy note, although much of the decision-making in the previous spatial planning policy was transferred to the municipalities and provinces. However, the spatial planning policy refers to the choices to be made in the field of greenhouse horticulture.

Sustainability

In this way, the future of greenhouse gardening is linked to sustainability. The report notes that new combinations of greenhouse horticulture could be developed in locations close to electrolyzers (hydrogen) and industrial centers and where geothermal heat is available. In addition, connecting thermal networks to the built environment and greenhouse horticulture can provide added value. Placement near residential buildings. “It makes sense to place the greenhouse gardening between the heat source and the residential area.”

Organizing groups in a way that adapts to the climate

The Ministry believes that greenhouse horticulture clustering is an important path to climate-neutral agriculture in 2040. These clusters must be designed in a way that adapts to the climate with green spaces and water to maintain the spongy effect of the soil. However, the Ministry leaves open the possibility that individual companies can become more sustainable by linking up with regional or local sources. There has to be room for that too.

The limits of greenhouse horticulture in the coming years will be determined by employment, according to the spatial planning policy document. The Ministry stresses the importance of digitization, automation and robotics to make the sector more efficient and sustainable and reduce dependence on labor.