Problems in enforcing Dutch building regulations
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to define the nature of the policy problems in Dutch building control.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use Dunn's four‐phase methodology for public policy analysis, consisting of problem sensing, problem search, problem definition, and problem specification. Both a literature review and a field study into the operation of local building control authorities were undertaken. The field study incorporates characteristics of a survey, with methodology developed by Fowler.
Findings
Dutch building control legislation has been subject to many changes over the 100 years or so that it has been in force as it has responded to society's changing priorities. Throughout this period building regulation has become more detailed and more uniform across the country. Nevertheless, almost no legal changes have been made to the enforcement system. Responsibility for building control still lies with the municipalities and implementation is still not established by national legislation or policy document. Ongoing attempts to deregulate and standardise the legislative framework should therefore not stop at changing the regulations. Changes in the supervision system might offer an alternative route to improving the quality of the (technical) building control and clarifying the tasks and responsibilities of building control staff.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis focuses on problems in building control and does not consider design and construction problems.
Practical implications
The field study contains important lessons for building control practitioners and policymakers regarding current deficiencies in the implementation of building control legislation.
Originality/value
The paper provides a model for the analysis, and comparative study, of building control systems in other jurisdictions.
Keywords
Citation
van der Heijden, J., Visscher, H. and Meijer, F. (2007), "Problems in enforcing Dutch building regulations", Structural Survey, Vol. 25 No. 3/4, pp. 319-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630800710772881
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited