Voluntary re-allotment in the Netherlands A case study about the processes of voluntary re-allotment in Heusden, Epe-Vaassen and Kempen-Broek Voluntary re-allotment Voluntary re-allotment in the Netherlands A case study about the processes of voluntary re-allotment in Heusden, Epe-Vaassen and Kempen-Broek. This thesis is written as a final assignment for the master Landscape Architecture and Planning, specialization: Spatial Planning at Wageningen University (Reg. No. LUP-80436) Droevendaalsesteeg 3 6708 PB Wageningen The Netherlands Supervisor: Raoul Beunen, Land Use Planning group Author: Sabine Kool (Reg. No. 871208-462-020) Wageningen, May 2013 Voluntary re-allotment Voluntary re-allotment IV Abstract This research focuses on processes of voluntary re-allotment. The research draws on three cases, which are three areas wherein voluntary re-allotment takes place; In Heusden, Epe-Vaassen and Kempen-Broek. The research shows that trust as well as institutions are relevant in the processes of voluntary re-allotment to guide behavior of actors and to deal with uncertainties about the behavior of other land owners. In the core of the activities to arrange exchanges, trust is important and the (formal) intuitions (to guide behavior) are more on the background. At the end of the processes formal institutions also play a big a role. Most costs for a voluntary re-allotment are costs for the process towards exchanges, like consulting and negotiating. Although these costs are perceived as high, the costs are also accepted because of the way a process is arranged; participation on a voluntary basis and the individual approach. Besides, it is also accepted because through processes of voluntary re-allotment, more resources become available and more goals of actors can be achieved. Keywords: voluntary re-allotment, uncertainties, trust, institutions, transaction costs Voluntary re-allotment V Voluntary re-allotment VI Preface This report is the result of a research into processes of voluntary re-allotment. With the completion of this thesis, I almost completed the master program Spatial Planning at Wageningen University. I experienced doing this research as a valuable and interesting process, in which I learned a lot. I went through ups and downs during the research. Especially at the beginning of the process I experienced some problems. Nevertheless I am very satisfied with the final results. I hope that after reading the thesis, you share this opinion with me. First, I would like to thank my supervisior, Raoul Beunen, of the Land Use Planning Group, for sharing his knowledge with me, his flexible attitude, the interesting conversations we had and providing me with new insights for the reserach many times. I would also like to thank Stan Gloudemans, the directior of Optifield, for inspring me to do a research into voluntary re-allotment and for provinding a lot of detailed and interesting information. Besides this, I would like to thank all the interveewees for spending their time and providing me interesting information for this reserach. Finally, I would like to thank my friends who supported me during the reserach. I hope you enjoy reading the thesis, Sabine Kool Wageningen, May 2013 Voluntary re-allotment VII Voluntary re-allotment VIII Table of contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................. V Preface ............................................................................................................................................ VII Summary .......................................................................................................................................... XI Samenvatting ................................................................................................................................... XIII 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................1 1.1. In brief, 100 years of land consolidation in The Netherlands ....................................................1 1.2. Scientific relevance ..................................................................................................................4 1.3. Objective and main research question .....................................................................................5 1.4. Guide to the reader .................................................................................................................6 2. Theoretical Framework ...............................................................................................................7 2.1. Governance, interdependence and networks ..........................................................................7 2.1.1. Interdependence .................................................................................................................8 2.1.2. Interaction in networks .......................................................................................................9 2.1.3. Network management ....................................................................................................... 10 2.2. Uncertainties, expectations and conflict ................................................................................ 11 2.3. Institutions ............................................................................................................................ 13 2.4. Trust...................................................................................................................................... 14 2.5. Transaction- and process costs .............................................................................................. 16 2.6. Conclusions and sub-research questions ............................................................................... 19 3. Research Design ........................................................................................................................ 23 3.1. Framing ................................................................................................................................. 23 3.2. The approach of the research ................................................................................................ 24 3.2.1. Case study ......................................................................................................................... 24 3.2.2. Document study and interviews ........................................................................................ 25 4. Results ...................................................................................................................................... 27 4.1. Voluntary re-allotment in the Netherlands ............................................................................ 27 4.2. Heusden ................................................................................................................................ 30 4.2.1. Reasons to start the process and results ............................................................................ 30 4.2.2. The area ............................................................................................................................ 32 4.2.3. Voluntary re-allotment in Heusden .................................................................................... 34 4.2.4. Actors ................................................................................................................................ 39 Voluntary re-allotment IX 4.2.5. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 46 4.3. Epe-Vaassen .......................................................................................................................... 47 4.3.1. Reasons to start the process and results ............................................................................ 47 4.3.2. The area ............................................................................................................................ 48 4.3.3. Voluntary re-allotment in Epe-Vaassen .............................................................................. 49 4.3.4. Actors ................................................................................................................................ 52 4.3.5. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 57 4.4. Kempen-Broek ...................................................................................................................... 57 4.4.1. Reasons to start the process and results ............................................................................ 58 4.4.2. The area ............................................................................................................................ 59 4.4.3. Voluntary re-allotment in Kempen-Broek .......................................................................... 60 4.4.4. Actors ................................................................................................................................ 62 4.4.5. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 66 5. Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 67 5.1. Comparing the three