Case “Hoge Kempen National Park” - From NIMBY to PIMBY

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The region “Kempen and Maasland” is located in the Province of Limburg in the North-East of Belgium (Flanders). It covers 12 municipalities and is a rather densely populated region, with 300.000 inhabitants in an area of 75.000 ha. Nevertheless, about 30% is officially designated as natural area, with high biodiversity values. After the closing of the coalmines at the end of the 20th century, local economic activity plummeted and unemployment rates increased dramatically. Policy makers came up with a large reconversion plan, emphasising on conventional economic activities.