PZH

Province of Zuid-Holland is the provincial government for South Holland, the most populous province in the Netherlands. It operates as a middle tier of government, handling issues that are too large for the 50 municipalities in the province and too small for the national government. The organization works on behalf of residents, businesses, municipalities, water boards, knowledge institutions, and other public partners. Its role is to coordinate, regulate, and support long-term development across the province, with a focus on a strong, sustainable, and liveable South Holland. Its policy scope is broad and includes economy, energy, circularity, agriculture, food, water, housing, mobility, spatial planning, environment, and governance. The province positions itself as a regional regisseur, connector, and implementation partner that brings together interests and helps turn long-term ambitions into practical action. Core Values Connecting : The province emphasizes bringing people, interests, and organizations together to achieve results that no single party can deliver alone. Innovating : It encourages new approaches, learning by doing, and practical experimentation to address complex regional challenges. Trust : The organization presents trust as a core value in how it works with residents, partners, and its own employees. Sustainability : Across its policies, the province aims for solutions that are durable, circular, climate-resilient, and future-oriented. Unique Aspects Broad regional mandate : Zuid-Holland combines responsibilities for economy, energy, water, agriculture, housing, mobility, and spatial planning in one provincial authority. Most populous Dutch province : The province explicitly notes that more people live here than in any other province in the Netherlands, which gives it a central role in national development. Strong coordination role : It describes itself as the upper-regional regisseur of Zuid-Holland and a connector between European, national, and local policy levels. Large infrastructure footprint : The province manages about 550 kilometers of provincial roads, 130 kilometers of provincial waterways, and nearly 700 bridges, locks, viaducts, tunnels, and culverts. Energy and circular transition focus : Its public agenda includes major transition themes such as renewable energy, circular economy, green hydrogen, and biobased building.