The aim of the research is to make a quantitative and qualitative assessment about the future demand for water related industrial estates and terminal activities along the navigable waterways in Flanders. Based on the research, recommendations can be formulated with respect to the policy of supply by the Flemish government in relation to water related estates. The research is concentrated on traffic analysis and forecasts of freight transport via inland waterway transport. As such, the combined research results in an interaction between transport and regional economics. On the one hand, increasing environmental awareness as well s economic efficiency of inland navigation make the latter hinterland transport mode more attractive, which increases demand for water related industrial estates. On the other hand, public policy wants to create sufficient space for economic activities, ensuring optimal spatial and functional allocation, and taking into account future trends and developments. This study tries to assist in this matching process by qualitatively assessing for Flanders the impact of barge transport demand on water related industrial estate demand, and by identifying a number of critical success factors for successful water related land allocation. Two main research hypotheses are put forward. Firstly, it is stated that demand for water related industrial estates can be expectedto further rise, but that demand is conditional upon a large number of market factors. Secondly, it is stated that a limited number of critical elements can be identified which will be crucial for the ability to match demand for and supply of water related industrial estates, especially factorsrelating to logistics chains integration. The methodology is split up in 4 parts. Firstly, an analysis is made of the product and the market. This refers to an overview of the presence and use of the inland navigation waterways and water related industrial estates. Secondly, relevant policy andsociety developments are derived. Micro as well as macro trends are included. Thirdly, a SWOT analysis is made of the current market for water related industrial estates. Based on the foregoing research, critical success and failure factors are derived, which are relevant for the demand for inland navigation and water related industrial estates. Based on this research, recommendations can be formulated with respect to the future supply policy of water related industrial estates, in Flanders as well as more generically. For the covering abstract see ITRD E145999
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