Dutch housing market scenarios

The Directorate-General Housing, Building and Integration (WBI) asked De Ruijter Strategy to create different future scenarios for economic development and to outline the housing market policy issues that arise from them.

What gave rise to this assignment was the growing awareness that the situation of the financial markets is of increasing importance for the realization of the objectives of WBI’s policy – affordability and availability of sufficient housing – and that the funding of the housing stock can influence financial stability. The objectives of the assignment were to obtain further insight into the current developments of the financial markets, create a set of future scenarios for the benefit of the policy agenda of WBI, and improve contacts WBI has with players in the financial sector

Ten experts from the financial sector and the housing sector were interviewed and two workshops were conducted. The results of the workshops and the input from the interviews were incorporated in the report below.

“Bad scenario’s don’t exist, only bad preperation.”

Paul de Ruijter

“By using language and visuals, we can create the future today.”

Jolanda van Heijningen

“The future cannot be forecasted, but it can be foreseen.”

Renate Kenter

“History shows us how unpredictable the future can be.”

Friso van Nimwegen

“The complexity of the future requires multidimensional thinking, anticipating and acting.”

Sharda Tewari

“Being well prepared is better than hoping that things will work out.”

Reinier Hattink

“Conducting research about the future is the greatest thing there is.”

Femke Pennink

“Without having a clear strategic goal, you are the puppet of circumstances.”

Kwint Kramer

“To be able to think about the future, you need to have the figures in order.”

Jannie Pruimers-Lanenga

“Discovering connections between data and trends remains fascinating.”

Iris Lijkendijk

“”One cannot drive with just the rearview mirror; look ahead and overtake! That’s the essence of scenario planning.””

Aryzo Arrindell