De Hooge Hout

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 backbone of the area. Soil and water are the starting point for a green and climate-resilient living environment. The lower-lying areas will become more water-rich, the higher areas greener and more wooded, and the creek ridge will once again become visible in the landscape as a natural elevation. Building on this landscape foundation, three residential environments with their own distinct atmospheres will emerge: the Stationskwartier as the centre, the water-rich Kreeklanden and the green, sheltered Westerwijzend.

The layout encourages social interaction: paths, squares and waterways connect the residential areas with one another and with the surrounding area. Walking and cycling routes bring everyday amenities and the station within walking distance of every home, so that you naturally pass neighbours and acquaintances along the way. The water is also part of this structure: via the waterways, you can sail past the village square, the village park and the other meeting places in the village and the wider region. In this way, walking, cycling and sailing together form a network in which encounters arise naturally, just as they do in the existing village.

De Hooge Hout and its facilities will grow in line with the village’s needs, ensuring that its character is preserved. Village ribbon developments, staggered building lines and a varied streetscape complement the characteristic buildings of Hoogkarspel. The existing productive landscape will also remain on the outskirts and return within the area itself, featuring orchards, vegetable gardens and a care farm at the heart of the village park. In this way, De Hooge Hout retains its recognisable village character, firmly rooted in the wider West Frisian landscape.

Two-thirds of the homes will be affordable, ensuring that first-time buyers, older people and single people from Hoogkarspel who wish to continue living in their own village can actually find a place to live. The first 500 homes will be built from 2027 onwards. After that, De Hooge Hout will continue to grow, step by step, just as the village always has.

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 and many others.