INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The aim of the report is the correlation between the offer of infrastructure and the spatial and economic development. The correlation is studied for a limited area, the so called BAS-region, between the cities of Barneveld, Amersfoort and Soest in the central part of the Netherlands. The study has been done to stimulate the thought-process about the relationships between infrastructure and the development of industry. The main conclusion for the total industry gives no clear relationship between the offer of infrastructure and the functioning of the industry. Businesses located near to motorways do not function better than similar businesses on other sites. However, there is a clear correlation between the quality of the infrastructure and the location of industry. Locations with an improved accessibility to the infrastructure can better compete to keep their industry and to attract other industries and business.