In this respect, the province has taken up the gauntlet to ensure that the countryside remains lovely, or becomes even more attractive. For instance, it designates space for new wildlife areas, while also ensuring – together with partners – that villages remain habitable. This ‘redevelopment of Brabant’s rural areas’ helps keep the countryside both vigorous and attractive.
Sandy soil
Although Brabant’s terrain does comprise minor amounts of fertile river and sea clay, it consists largely of sandy soil which is difficult to till. Reclamation was therefore simply not feasible in numerous areas of the province – forests and moors, pools and sand drifts (dunes). The water and wind, flora and fauna have nevertheless succeeded (where man failed) in reclaiming its some 300 remaining nature reserves.
Man-made
Elsewhere, Brabant’s farmers have long endeavoured to create a typical man-made landscape, which features rows of trees, fields, pastureland and small village centres. Although the human dimensions of this previous landscape still exist, they are currently combined with modern large-scale cattle breeding enterprises, new infrastructure and industrial areas.