Landingsplaats

Landingsplaats is a Dutch term meaning a place designated for landing. It refers to any location where landing of people or goods is intended or allowed, and it is used in several contexts where transport or transfer takes place. The concept is mainly geographical and infrastructural, rather than a specific object.

In maritime contexts, a landingsplaats denotes a place on a shore, quay, or riverbank where boats or ships can disembark or load passengers and cargo. It can be a formal harbor facility such as a quay or a specialized landing stage, or an informal, open area along a river or canal used by ferries, fishing boats, or recreational craft. The designation is often recorded on nautical charts and governed by local regulations regarding safety, access, and mooring rights.

In aviation, a landingsplaats refers to any designated area where aircraft can land, such as a runway, helipad, or improvised landing area. While the word is not commonly used to describe an entire airport in everyday Dutch, it is appropriate for describing a specific landing point, for example in mission planning or emergency response contexts.

Recreationally and in emergency services, landingsplaatsen include landing sites for canoes or kayaks along waterways and, crucially, zones where helicopters may land for medical evacuations or disaster response. These sites must be suitable in terms of surface, clearance, and accessibility.

Historically and in military contexts, landingsplaats can describe points of entry for amphibious landings or invasions, where forces or supplies first reach land from sea. Overall, landingsplaats denotes a designated point of landing, with practical implications for safety, access, and infrastructure.