Parkstad Limburg | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | Limburg |
Area | 178.48 km2 |
- Land | 177.5 km2 |
- Water | 0.95 km2 |
Population (2005) | 244,181 |
- Density | 1,385/km2 |
Parkstad Limburg is a collaboration between seven municipalities (Heerlen, Kerkrade, Landgraaf, Brunssum, Simpelveld, Voerendaal and Onderbanken). They work together to improve public services, transport and housing on a regional level. This collaboration started in 1999.
The name Parkstad, meaning Park City, is derived from the relative greenness of the towns, 94,17 km2 (53%) of its area used for non-urban purposes. However, only 10% of the area (roughly 17.8 km2) is forest and nature, 42% (roughly 74.96 km2) is used for agriculture. Previously, the area had been known as Oostelijke Mijnstreek or Eastern Mining District, as it was one of the primary coal mining areas of the Netherlands.