Oosterwold
Oosterwold, located in the district of Almere Hout, shows the latest area development in Almere. The area covers more than 4300 hectares, ...
Oosterwold, located in the district of Almere Hout, showcases the most recent area development in Almere. The area covers over 4300 hectares, originally agricultural land, and historically formed an agricultural enclave between Almere and Zeewolde. This eastern development acts as the rural counterpart to the urban developments in Almere Poort on the west side of the city. New owners and residents have to prepare the farmland for construction themselves There is no underground infrastructure such as electricity and water pipes. Nor is a road network constructed. This leads to a multitude of shapes, variation in size and buildings that can be placed anywhere on the plot. The traditional grid has been abandoned, marking a break with conventional urban planning programmes. The firm MVRDV, led by Winy Maas, is responsible for this urban planning concept, developed in close cooperation with former alderman Adri Duivesteijn. Oosterwold, also called the 'Estate of Initiatives', is reminiscent of a 'free state' where private and collective activities are created with minimal government interference. To preserve the rural character, limits have been set: 18% building, 8% roads, 13% public green spaces, 2% water and 59% urban agriculture. Moreover, everyone in Oosterwold is responsible for energy supply, cycles and wastewater. Within this framework, each individual's creativity flourishes in abundance. Since its launch in 2011, this has resulted in an organic multitude of shapes, colours and materials. Yurts, houses built from sand-filled car tyres, austere bungalows, container houses, a ronddraaiend huis, castle houses and tiny houses alternate with vineyards, sheep pastures, vegetable gardens, a bakery and a pizzeria, all bordered by green passages and bright flower borders. In short, a very varied townscape.
