Hoogkarspel wants to grow, but also to stay true to itself. On the southern edge of the village, between the railway line and the Slimweg, an area is being developed that will not simply be situated next to the village, but will become part of it: De Hooge Hout.

Karres en Brands drew up the Area-Specific Programme on behalf of Drechterland Municipality, in collaboration with the developers BPD, VBM, Hoorne Vastgoed, Plegt-Vos and Rotij Grondontwikkeling West, and, above all, together with the residents of Hoogkarspel themselves. They contributed their ideas on the growth of their own village through a versatile and accessible participation process: both online and in person, including neighbourhood cafés, street discussions, ‘swipocracy’ surveys, and meetings for young and older residents.

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.

For more information, see the video

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.