Brabant approach leads to Van Gogh National Park

Van Gogh NP: the first new-style National Park in the Netherlands

On 30 March, Vincent van Gogh’s birthday, partners from government, civil society organisations and the business sector will submit a masterplan to Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) to designate an area in the centre of Brabant, extending into the cities, as the Van Gogh National Park (Van Gogh NP).

It will be the first ‘new-style’ National Park in the Netherlands, bringing added value to nature, the people and the regional economy in Brabant. This status will put the area firmly on the map and act as a powerful driver for further regional development. The formal application is being submitted by the Province of North Brabant.

A calling card for the Netherlands

The Van Gogh National Park is a beautiful area where people can enjoy nature and the countryside. It is also a unique concept in which partners work together to shape the landscape of the future, extending into the towns, with added value for nature, the regional economy and the people. “Thanks to these qualities and this approach, the Van Gogh NP is the first example of a ‘new-style’ national park, as envisaged by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality,” said Provincial Executive Member Rik Grashoff. “This is not just about the nature reserves but also about the surrounding agricultural cultural landscapes, extending right into the villages and towns.” The ‘new-style’ national parks are a calling card for the Netherlands. The combination of leading nature reserves within an attractive agricultural cultural landscape, a thriving economy with 1.5 million people, and Van Gogh’s tangible legacy make the Van Gogh National Park unique.

A boost to quality and new opportunities for entrepreneurs

“The partners are proud of this area and wish to enhance it. They are convinced that Van Gogh NP, as a strong brand, provides a significant boost to quality by enhancing nature and the landscape whilst maintaining opportunities for businesses, thereby ensuring a healthy and beautiful living environment,” says Yvo Kortmann, chair of the Van Gogh NP steering group. “The current coronavirus crisis has highlighted just how important this is.” Van Gogh NP enhances the business climate in this economic region, puts Brabant on the (inter)national map for sustainable cultural tourism, and offers prospects to farmers and other entrepreneurs who wish to earn a living here and contribute to the landscape. Because partners are joining forces and working together, funds are being made available and more organisations, community initiatives and volunteers are being inspired to collaborate and take pride in their local area. Jan Baan, director of Brabants Landschap: “This broad-based collaboration is typical of Brabant. We are certainly not starting from scratch. There are already many wonderful initiatives underway in this area, with great commitment from volunteers and engaged local residents. Van Gogh NP’s development-oriented approach is essential: we need agricultural entrepreneurs to develop the landscape whilst ensuring sound business practices.”

Van Gogh: guide and source of inspiration

Vincent van Gogh is the most famous Brabant native internationally. He was born here, produced a quarter of his work here, and there are nearly 40 heritage sites to be found here, such as watermills, vicarages and church towers that he painted; the landscape he depicted can also still be experienced here. Above all, Van Gogh is a source of inspiration for developing the landscape of the future here. Bart de Boer, Chair of the Van Gogh Sites Foundation: “A unique collaboration and opportunity to make nature and the landscape even more beautiful, whilst preserving the heritage of Brabant’s icon Van Gogh, and to put sustainable tourism in Brabant even more firmly on the map.”

Urgency and opportunities

The partners are committed to addressing social challenges that are also relevant to this area – such as housing development, the transition of agriculture, the energy challenge and climate adaptation – whilst ensuring these initiatives also enhance the quality of the area. This does not mean that nothing more can be done here, but rather that careful consideration is given to how and where certain developments can best take place. Mario Jacobs, Tilburg City Councillor: “With this ‘compass’, we are working together to shape the landscape of the future, with Van Gogh as our source of inspiration. Not in a historical sense, but in a contemporary way, with innovative solutions and the involvement of today’s designers, planners and artists.”