About Oosterwold
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Unique piece of Almere
Urban agriculture paradise Oosterwold
Oosterwold is also one of the most special places in the Netherlands. A green area where 15,000 homes will eventually be pulled out of the ground organically. Here you will find the ultimate form of 'do-it-yourself' area development. The residents of Oosterwold choose the location and size of their plot in the area themselves and also decide what will be built. Not the government, therefore, but the initiators are the creators of the area. They determine what Oosterwold will look like.
Just a few ground rules
There are a number of ground rules that the government provides but the starting point remains that the residents themselves 'make' Oosterwold. Rules of play include water management, energy supply, environmental standards and roads in the area. Based on this principle, initiators in Oosterwold are given the space to shape the development of the area according to their own wishes.
Green development
Future residents will not only determine their own homes, but will also be in charge of construction and management of their roads, paths, greenery, water and public space. They have to realise all this themselves, together with other residents. Development is done organically, as sustainable, green and self-sufficient as possible and with maximum freedom. Some 3,500 people are now registered as residents in the current Oosterwold on Almere territory (October 2022). Oosterwold extends over the territory of Almere and soon Zeewolde as well, and will continue to grow steadily for a long time, eventually reaching some 15,000 homes with a population of over 30,000.
Urban agriculture
At least 50% of each plot is reserved for urban agriculture: local, sustainably produced food. Every resident, initiative or company is therefore not only a developer, but also an urban farmer. In this way, residents contribute on a large scale to the development of a new, green city. In practice, this ultimately means some 1800 hectares of urban farmland. This will bring food production and consumption closer together; fruit and vegetables are seasonal products and simply produced on one's own land or in the neighbourhood. Fresh strawberries in June, blueberries in August or beautiful winter vegetables in winter. You taste the difference immediately. The goal is to fill 10% of Almere's food basket. This is how we in Almere bring Growing Green Cities to life and Feeding the City into practice.
