IntroductionWith the constantly declining relevance of national borders and the expansion of Europe, competition between urban regions is rising. How is the Randstad Region performing? In the eight Randstad Monitor, the Randstad Region is compared with 19 other metropolitan regions in Europe. This is a short version of the monitor. Download the short version and the full report via randstadregion.eu.

3 airports

2 seaports

40,961 km of roads

1,077 km railways

8,287 km2 surface area

7,8 million inhabitants

4,3 million working population

FAC

TS

Report structureThis short version takes the following form.

Several general infographics are �rst presented

together with the key conclusions from the

Randstad Monitor. The most eye-catching facts

about rural areas under urban pressure,

knowledge and innovation and the sustainable

living environment are presented. Conclusions

and challenges are then linked to these subjects.

SummaryThe growth of GRP in the Randstad Region is

slowing down. In the period 2005-2009, GRP

grew relatively fast, placing the Randstad Region

in the upper echelons of metropolitan region

rankings. Between 2009 and 2011, the Randstad

Region has developed moderately. Disappointing

growth in the Randstad Region has been

attributed to domestic factors: stagnation

of the housing and real estate market, supple-

mented by problems in the �nancial sector. If the

Randstad Region wishes to remain competitive,

action will have to be taken in these areas.

Randstad RegionThe Randstad Region comprises the Provinces

Flevoland, Noord-Holland, Utrecht and

Zuid-Holland. The term Randstad Holland

broadly refers to the area of the �ve major cities

around the Green Heart.

Randstad Region

GeneralRandstad Region stands for strengthening the competitive position of the region in an integrated Europe and improving the quality of life of the Randstad Region. The competitiveness (wealth) and quality of life (welfare) of and in the region are central points of constant focus.

GRP 1995-2000

Ruhr +1.3%

Frankfurt/Main +2.4%

Berlin +0.7%

Hamburg +2.3%

Stockholm +6.0%

Munich +4.4%

Randstad Holland +4.2%

EU average +3.0%

GRP 2009-2011

Ruhr +4.1%

Frankfurt/Main +3.2%

Berlin +4.4%

Hamburg +2.9%

Stockholm +6.4%

Munich +2.3%

Randstad Holland +1.7%

EU average +1.9%

Gross Regional ProductIn 2011, Randstad Holland generated earnings

of more than € 241 billion, almost half of Dutch

GDP. The Randstad Region has a clear lead on

the rest of the Netherlands. In comparison to

Europe, another picture emerges. The GRP of

Stockholm, Berlin, Prague, the Ruhr conurbation

and Paris are growing faster. They have less

dif�culty with a stagnating housing market and

high mortgage debt or have implemented

restructuring programmes (Germany). The 20

European regions together generate a GRP of

€ 3.5 billion, or 30.6% of the EU27 total (€ 11.3

billion). The obvious conclusion is that Europe is

becoming urbanised.

The Randstad Region is lagging behind related to national stagnation on the labour market and housing market.

Employment in the Randstad Region is

shrinking, more rapidly than the GRP and

in relation to other European regions.

Employment development within the

Randstad Region is still intact, leading to

slower growth in labour productivity.

The Randstad Region appears to be

suffering from a correction of excess

lending. As a consequence, the Netherlands

is subject to reticent consumers and

uncertainty on the housing market.

Labour market stagnation

Housing market stagnation Water

28,125 jobs1.1% growth

Agro & Food344,172 jobs

2.8% growth

Logistics139,073 jobs

0.8% growth

Life Sciences & Health6,700 jobs

4.5% growth

Creative Industry 153,988 jobs

3.5% growth

Agriculture30,588 jobs

2.8% growth

Gro

wth

(199

6 -

2011

)

Energy12,648 jobs

0.4% growth

Hightech201,511 jobs

1% growth

Research & innovationEuropean policy through to 2020 is hallmarked by innovation focused on research and development. Research and innovation are priorities for the Randstad Region. The Randstad Monitor reveals that conditions are not favourable.

+4%

+3%

+2%

+1%

0%

-1%

-2%

Limited industry & knowledge There is industry in the Randstad. However,

innovative industry is shrinking and lagging

behind. In Randstad Holland, this sector

represents 4% as compared to an average of

10.5% in all EU regions, with 36% in

Copenhagen and 17% in Paris. High-end

industrial employment opportunities are also

shrinking and the share of knowledge-intensive

services at 5.2% is below the 6% average.

The level of knowledge of the Randstad

population is in line with the average for the

European regions: 0.24 low, 0.33 middle and

0.36 high educated making up the total of 1.0

in 2011.

Fact In December 2012, the European Parliament

approved a European patent.

Patent applications Patents are an indicator for the results generated

by efforts in innovation. Patent numbers in the

EU are falling.

Munich

Flemish Diamond

Randstad Holland

Lisbon

1,611

642

Ruhr conurbation 404

EU 20 regions 320

223

17

1.83% Randstad Holland

2.42% Average EU regions

3%EURO norm

Top sectors The Netherlands has identi�ed nine

top sectors. A number of top

sectors are overconcentrated in the

Randstad Region: logistics, creative

industry, life sciences & health,

water and head of�ces. These top

Chemistry25,510 jobs

1.7% growth

Investment in research & development The European standard for investment in knowledge

and innovation is 3% of GDP. In the 20 European

regions, the percentage is 2.42% of GRP, as

compared to 1.83% in the Randstad Region.

In effect, seen in the light of the major downturn in

GRP over the past few years, this means less

investment in the Randstad Region.

sectors depend on the urban environment

(agglomeration advantages, establishment

environment) and a good infrastructure (ports,

airports) in the Randstad Region. The creative

industry and life sciences & health are showing

fastest growth in long-term employment.

Sustainable living environmentThe Randstad Region aims to be a good living environment for its residents. A good, sustainable environment contributes to regional welfare. It also helps make the region sustainably competitive. Many sustainability issues are decided in Europe. The Randstad Region includes sustainability in decisions and initia-tives on economic developments in the region for boosting wealth.

CausesParticulates and nitrogen are sources of air

pollution emitted by traf�c and fuels from cars,

ships and industry.

SolutionsTackling pollution at source by promoting

cleaning fuels for cars and ships, electricity-

based mobility and cleaner industries. This is a

Randstad Region project in collaboration with

11 other European regions.

41 μg/m3

38 μg/m3

47 μg/m3 43 μg/m3

40 μg/m3

49 μg/m3

Flemish DiamondBelgium

BarcelonaSpain

Frankfurt MainGermany

LondonEngland

MilanItaly

RandstadHolland

Average EU Regions

61 μg/m3

Nitrogen dioxide NO2 Air pollution by nitrogen oxides in Randstad

Holland is in line with the European average fall

of 0.5% per year, in terms of both concentration

and volume.

31 μg/m3

23 μg/m3

Flemish DiamondBelgium

BarcelonaSpain

Frankfurt MainGermany

23 μg/m3

LondonEngland

MilanItaly

RandstadHolland

Average EU Regions

Particulate matter PM10 The PM concentration in Randstad Holland fell

in the period 2001-2010 slightly more than the

average of the 20 metropolitan regions (1.7%).

In 2010, however, the trend suddenly reversed,

as compared to a further fall in the other twenty

regions.

27 μg/m3

27 μg/m3

40 μg/m3

27 μg/m3

Onshore power for inland shipping

Seagoing ships with fuel oil

Clean energyIndustrial emission

< Euro5 engines > Euro6 engines

ConclusionPolicy at source delivers the

best results, for example,

implementing the polluter pays

principle, and cleaner fuels and

engines, as well as promoting

clean regional, national and

international transport.

Conclusion About usThe Randstad Region has little industry and few high tech establishments compared to other EU regions. Investments in knowledge and innovation are lagging behind. As a result, the Randstad Region has insuf�cient valorisation capacity, making it dif�cult to market knowledge and innovation. The Randstad Region above all deploys European investments in knowledge and innovation (future structural funds) for developments that contribute to a sustainable living environment.

What can we do about it?Improve the environmental quality of the Randstad Region as a contributor to wealth and welfare. The Randstad Region must continue to exercise in�uence in the Netherlands and Europe to improve its competitive position in Europe.

Randstad Region must focus on:

The Randstad Region conurbation has a great deal to offer Europe. Since 1993, the Randstad provinces (Flevoland, Noord-Holland, Utrecht and Zuid-Holland) have been cooperating closely, in Brussels. This cooperation was initiated following the recognition that each of the provinces has shared goals in Europe. The provinces have ef�ciently and structurally joined forces in order to achieve greater effectiveness and a clearer pro�le. The work approach of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union after all offer numerous opportunities for in�uencing and lobbying. At the same time, the huge numbers of parties participating in this process make the joining of forces essential, in order to make one’s voice heard.

For the purposes of the cooperation, the commissioning party is the administrative consultative committee Randstad cooperation in Europe. This administrative consultative committee consists of the four members of the Provincial Executive responsible for European affairs. Europe, as such, however, is not a separate policy area. European policy after all affects many substantive portfolios; as a consequence, the members of the Provincial Executive with responsibility for European affairs are in favour of an integrated approach to Europe. Responsibility in terms of content is shared with the specialist Provincial Executive members in four priority �elds: future regional policy, research & innovation, sustainable living environment and rural areas under urban pressure.

Labourmarket

Housingmarket

Research &innovation

Nature16,000 ha

Urban22,000 ha

Agriculture6,200 ha

Rural areas under urban pressure

Population growth Population growth in the Randstad Region is

relatively high as compared to other metropolitan

regions.

This growth is dif�cult to explain. The population

is growing (7 million), unemployment is low as

is mobility. As a result, the growth in labour

productivity is lagging behind.

People are ‘fleeing’

the countrysidepopulation decrease

1.7%

averageEU Regions

+0.5%

averageNetherlands

averageRandstad

averageEU Regions

averageNetherlands

averageRandstad

+0.5%+0.8%

averageEU Regions

averageNetherlands

averageRandstad

+2.3% +1.2% +1.3%

Labour participation Growth in labour participation in the Randstad

Region has slowed down as compared to

previous years and other European regions, but

is still high.

AccessibilityAccessibility is essential to the vitality of the

region and rural surroundings. Mobility links work

and home. The Randstad Region offers excellent

access. Within �ve hours, 184 million people can

Points for improvement The environmental quality of the Randstad

Region must be improved as a key contributor to

wealth and welfare in the region. Good welfare

means a good quality of life for residents, and

enough ‘green space’ helps improve the urban

establishment climate.

Although agriculture is important, in 2011, trade

and transport were the economic drivers in the

Randstad Region.

101.2 million

46.8 million

36.2 million

Economic value of sectors Economic development in the Randstad Region

is mainly in the tertiary sector. As the world’s

third exporter of agricultural goods, the primary

sector is vital to the Netherlands.

78.3% 78.4%70%

Labour productivity Labour productivity is an indicator for wealth now

and in the future. Because the labour market is

locked up tight, there is little employee mobility.

As a result, growth in labour productivity in the

Randstad Region is lagging behind.

Non-profit services

Trade and Transport

Industry

Construction

Agriculture

Commercial services

Serious shrinkage in rural areas

The rural environment must remain open, for example

via economically-viable agriculture, to ensure the vitality

of rural areas in the Randstad Region. Pressure on rural

areas must be reduced because ‘green space’

contributes to the quality of life of local residents and

makes the region more attractive and competitive.

Typical of the Randstad Region is the continuous interaction between urbanagglomerations and their rural surroundings. Vitality of rural areas in an urban environment, the peri-urban areas, is essential for maintaining economically-viable agriculture and upholding a good quality of life for people living in the region.

40,961 km road network1,077 km railway network 12,300 km cycle paths 2,749 km waterways of which 2,030 km of economic importance

FORSALE

36%

24%

21%

11%

6%

2%

be reached from the region by road, rail and air.

Only the Ruhr conurbation, the Flemish Diamond

and Frankfurt/Main are more accessible.

1995 2012

115%

97% 38,5%

House Price Index (2005 = 100%)

In 2005, 206,629 houses were sold.

In 2011, 120,737.