Deventer’s garden city of the 21st century

Karres en Brands is proud to present the masterplan for Wechelerhoek, a new residential district on the northern edge of Deventer. The plan lays the foundation for more than 1,500 new homes in a landscape-driven, socially inclusive, and climate-adaptive urban area: a future-proof garden city for the 21st century. The design has been developed in close collaboration with the Municipality of Deventer.

A contemporary answer to the timeless balance between city and nature
Wechelerhoek is designed according to the logic of the landscape. It offers a contemporary response to the ongoing question of how urban living and nature can coexist and strengthen one another. The district combines Deventer’s recognizable urban character with a rich variety of housing types and living environments inspired by the surrounding landscape. By using the site’s natural structures, soil composition, and height differences, a living environment emerges in which city and nature complement rather than oppose each other. Each residential cluster is anchored in its own landscape identity, resulting in a district with diversity and a strong sense of place.

A neighbourhood for living, working, and meeting
Wechelerhoek is being developed as a mixed and vibrant urban district where living is balanced with daily amenities, social spaces, and opportunities to work close to home. The masterplan provides a diverse and balanced housing supply—from social rental to mid-market and owner-occupied homes—supplemented with higher-end residences. The design accommodates all generations and lifestyles, offering space for starters, single households, families, seniors, and collective living forms (with 70% affordable).

Across the district, key facilities are integrated, including schools, hospitality, a community centre, health facilities, a convenience store, as well as spaces for home-based businesses and neighbourhood rooms. Together, these functions create a lively, multifunctional neighbourhood where daily life unfolds within walking and cycling distance, fostering convenience, connection, and a strong sense of community.

Landscape as DNA: a modern garden city
Landscape forms the core of the design: Wechelerhoek is conceived as a district emerging directly from its natural setting. The urban layout follows the existing soil and height differences, with lower areas dedicated to water, ecology, and climate adaptation, and higher areas designated for housing. Green corridors and parks weave through the district, ensuring continuous contact with nature and a pleasant microclimate. Within this structure, compact residential clusters create small-scale living environments with diverse housing types.

Public spaces prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, with parking positioned as much as possible along the edges and out of sight. This reduces car pressure and frees space for greenery and social interaction. The robust landscape structure supports a resilient, biodiverse, and attractive living environment: an urban district rooted in nature while strongly connected to the city.

Future-proof and co-created
The development of Wechelerhoek follows an ambitious sustainability agenda. The plan encourages the use of biobased and recycled materials, reduces CO₂ emissions during construction and use, and integrates circular strategies into both design and execution. Broad participation was a key component of the design process. Residents and local organisations shared their ideas and concerns through surveys, workshops, and community sessions, resulting in a neighbourhood that reflects local identity and shared values.

Next steps toward realization
The Municipality of Deventer is currently working on the next phase: the environmental plan, the urban development plan, and the detailed design of the public space. If politically approved and funded, construction is expected to start in 2028.