Brabant approach leads to Van Gogh National Park

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

On March 30, Vincent van Gogh's birthday, partners from governments, civil society organizations and the business community are submitting a master plan to Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) to designate an area central in Brabant to the cities as a Van Gogh National Park (Van Gogh NP).

It will be the first 'new style' National Park in the Netherlands, with added value for nature, people and the regional economy in Brabant. This status will put the area on the map and become a powerful engine for further area development. The formal application will be submitted by the Province of North Brabant.

Business card for the Netherlands

The Van Gogh NP is a beautiful area where people can enjoy nature and landscape. It is also a special concept in which partners work together to create the landscape of the future right into the cities with added value for nature, the regional economy and people. "Because of these qualities and the approach, the Van Gogh NP is the first example of a national park 'new style', as envisioned by the Ministry of LNV," said deputy Rik Grashoff. "This involves not only the nature reserves but also the agricultural cultural landscapes around them, right into the villages and towns." The new-style National Parks are a calling card for the Netherlands. The combination of leading natural areas in an attractive agricultural cultural landscape, a top economy with 1.5 million people and the tangible legacy of Van Gogh make the Van Gogh NP unique.

Quality impulse and perspective for entrepreneurs

"The partners are proud of this area and want to strengthen it. They are convinced that Van Gogh NP, as a strong brand, delivers an important quality impulse for strengthening nature and landscape in balance with perspective for entrepreneurs and thereby ensures a healthy and beautiful living environment," says Yvo Kortmann, chairman of the Van Gogh NP steering committee. "Particularly during the current Corona crisis, it becomes even more apparent how important that is." The Van Gogh NP strengthens the business climate in this economic region, puts Brabant (inter)nationally on the map for sustainable cultural tourism and gives perspective to farmers and other entrepreneurs who want to earn a living here and contribute to the landscape. Because partners join forces and work together, budgets are freed up and more parties, social initiatives and volunteers are inspired to work together and be proud of their area. Jan Baan, director of Brabants Landschap: "This broad cooperation is typically Brabants. We are certainly not starting from scratch. There are already many wonderful initiatives running in this area with great commitment from volunteers and involved residents. Van Gogh NP's development-oriented approach is essential: we need the agricultural entrepreneurs to develop the landscape in combination with healthy business management."

Van Gogh guide and inspiration

Vincent van Gogh is internationally the best known Brabander. He was born here, a quarter of his work was created here, nearly 40 heritage sites can be found, such as water mills, parsonages and church towers that he painted, and the landscape he painted can still be experienced here as well. Above all, Van Gogh is also an inspiration to develop the landscape of the future here. Bart de Boer, Chairman Van Gogh Sites Foundation: "A unique collaboration and opportunity, while preserving the heritage of the Brabant icon Van Gogh, to make nature and landscape even more beautiful and to put sustainable tourism in Brabant even more on the map."

Urgency and opportunities

The partners are committed to realizing social tasks that also play a role in this area - such as housing, transition of agriculture, the energy task and climate adaptation - and also to benefit the quality of the area. This does not mean that nothing more can be done here, but that careful consideration is given to how and where certain developments can best take place. Mario Jacobs, alderman of Tilburg: "With this 'compass' we are building together the landscape of the future, with Van Gogh as a source of inspiration. Not historicizing but in a contemporary way, with innovative solutions, and deployment of contemporary designers, creators and artists."