In less densely populated areas and cities (like Maastricht) of the Netherlands vacancy is a social issue. Vacancy is caused by a decrease of demand for
shrinkage), creating an excessive offer of, real estate. This ´spatial shrinkage´ is related to the demographic and economic shrinkage that is characteristic of our times; a ´new reality´. Our strategy of spatial development however is still based on speculation of an old reality with self-evident demographical, (thus) economical and spatial growth. The built environment of our times still have cities that grow while their inner cities become vacant.

Vacancy causes damage to the livability of the built environment and undermines the (historical) structures like public space that hold the city (socially and spatially) together. Continuity of the built environment can be restored by filling the gaps and adopting a new strategy of spatial development; flexible
development in small steps affirming a reality of permanent temporality.

Heritage based design is well equipped to address this issue. It endorses the importance of historical structures and their continuity in both time and space. Moreover it´s core business is redeveloping buildings that have lost their usefulness while maintaining and stressing its (cultural) values. These values extend well beyond the economical; an insight that is of the essence to move beyond our contemporary way of spatial development.