How do you allow a village to grow without losing its soul? With the adoption of the Area-Based Program for Hoogkarspel South, the Drechterland municipal council provides a clear answer. Following a vote by residents, the new name was also chosen: De Hooge Hout. This lays the foundation for a village-scale expansion that builds on Hoogkarspel’s greatest strength: its strong sense of community. The development reinforces the village character and connects existing and new neighbourhoods into one cohesive whole, with space for meeting, identity, and contemporary, affordable housing. In this way, accelerating the housing challenge goes hand in hand with increasing overall well-being.
The landscape forms the structural backbone of the neighbourhood. Soil and water are the starting points for a green, climate-resilient living environment. From this landscape-based foundation, three distinctive residential areas emerge, each with its own atmosphere and identity: the lively Station Quarter, the water-rich Creeklands, and the greener, quieter Westerwijzend. Water structures and circular waterways connect De Hooge Hout to its surroundings and make it possible to reach key locations by boat. Walking and cycling take centre stage; daily amenities and the railway station are within walking and cycling distance, strengthening cohesion within the neighbourhood.
The development of De Hooge Hout will begin in 2027 with the construction of the first 500 homes. Further development will take place in phases and grow in line with demand, fitting the village scale and the pace of the community. In this way, the area-based program forms a robust and flexible foundation for sustainable village expansion. Together with Gemeente Drechterland, we are building De Hooge Hout, where landscape, economy, and community are inextricably linked.
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With thanks to all collaborations over the past year: residents, Gemeente Drechterland, SED, BPD, VBM, Hoorne vastgoed, Plegt-vos Vastgoedontwikkeling B.V., Rotij Grondontwikkeling West B.V., Stadkwadraat, DWA, Woningstichting Het Grootslag, Sweco Nederland B.V., BREEN Stedenbouw, NS, Prorail, Provincie Noord-Holland, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK), Ministerie van Koninkrijksrelaties en Binnenlandse Zaken, Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat en vele anderen.