economist Jan Tinbergen thought that
i vestment in a large scale recovery program
vfould in the long run prove profitable. The
elta project thus became the lever which put
I eeland back on the map. Around 1970 it was
c enerally thought that seaport development
end heavy industry would be the magic wand,
l ater on, the disadvantages of such a devel
opment were seen more clearly.
I nder the influence of the Delta project
employment in Zeeland developed more
favourably than in the country as a whole.
From recent research it is clear that
ferneuzen and Vlissingen score highly as
favourable spots for industry and harbours. At
present the best prospects are in recreation
and in industrial activities. Provincial policy
a (SO aims to stimulate agriculture and fishery.
I i every respect Zeeland now profits from the
improved accessability of the former islands.
"The Delta project has given Zeeland an
excellent springboard with which to maintain
i s share in the national welfare.
I R. M. Th. Adriaansens
I ievelopments in planning the southwestern
I art of Holland
[luring the time of the Republic, Zeeland was
a commercial and shipping area. In the 19th
century, however, it lost its momentum, and
fall back into rural insignificance, isolated
f om the rest of the country.
The disaster of 1953 shocked the people into
action and the Delta projet, initiated soon
after, greatly altered the spatial structure of
ieeland. For some time massive land recla
mation was considered, as well as large scale
I arbour developments; but these plans were
I iter abondoned. Nature and landscape
preservation have gradually gained higher
esteem.
A debate of many years on the spatial
structure and its development has been held,
in which the future of the Oosterschelde was
tantamount: Should it be closed, or left open?
[luring this debate an important planning
principle emerged, namely to keep open as
many options as possible.
The most recent sketch for the physical
planning of Zeeland therefore offers only
tentative suggestions for the future of the
f rea.
