Urban development great bane to Dutch landscape

BILTHOVEN - Urban development spoils the pastoral view of much of the country’s nature. Subdivisions and roads often prevent the creation of larger green zones, not only in the western agglomeration called Randstad, but also in rural Brabant and Limburg. Although only 15 percent of the country is covered with houses, commercial buildings, roads and railways, their impact is much greater, according to a recent report by the Environment and Nature Plan Bureau. In rural areas as well, large farm buildings, greenhouses, horse stables and arenas mar the earlier unspoiled vistas. The bureau fears that it will be impossible to reverse the trend.