In the coming years, the area around Haarlem Spaarnwoude Station will be transformed into Hart voor Oostpoort: a vibrant new urban neighborhood on the east side of Haarlem. Developed in collaboration with the municipality, the master plan forms the spatial foundation for this transformation. With the station as its anchor, the area will become a gateway between Haarlem and Amsterdam where living, working, and the landscape come together.
Since 2019, the city of Haarlem has been exploring how Oostpoort can be transformed into a safe, healthy, and future-proof new urban neighborhood. Since 2023, PosadMaxwan has been working on the development of the master plan, exploring various scenarios for mobility, program, infrastructure, and landscape. On May 28, 2026, the master plan was unanimously approved by the city council. Precisely because of the complexity of the challenge, the result demonstrates how design can contribute to bringing together, balancing, and integrating diverse ambitions within a single spatial vision.
The area around Spaarnwoude Station is currently characterized by wide infrastructure, viaducts, railroad tracks, and temporary housing. The public space is fragmented, and the quality of the environment is limited. At the same time, the location is one of Haarlem’s most important development areas for housing and mixed-use urban functions. In the master plan, the Haarlem Spaarnwoude station serves as the spatial and urban anchor of the development. A new structure is taking shape around the station that better connects with the existing city and the surrounding landscape.
The ownership situation within the area is complex. In addition to the municipality, entities such as NS and ProRail are responsible for the rail infrastructure, Rijkswaterstaat for national infrastructure, and various private parties for real estate and land within the planning area. The management and maintenance of the area also require careful coordination. For example, various spatial solutions—such as bicycle parking—can have direct consequences for the ownership, operation, and management of the facilities. The same applies to public space, which must serve both the future residents of Oostpoort and the many visitors to the station.
To bring the various challenges together into a cohesive whole, the master plan is structured around four main spatial components:
From Barrier to Connected Hub
The station is transforming from an infrastructural barrier into a connected and accessible hub. An attractive, low-traffic station environment is being created on both sides of the tracks. New connections for cyclists and pedestrians will ensure that the north and south sides of the area are better connected. A new bicycle bridge over the tracks will link up with regional bicycle routes and strengthen the station’s role as a mobility hub.
Gateway Between City and Landscape
The area is developing into a new city gateway for Haarlem, with a strong connection between the city and the landscape. New station plazas will be created on the north and south sides of the station, each with its own character and function. Together, they form the entrance to Haarlem. Along the north side of the station, a rail park will be created that follows the existing waterways and serves as a green corridor connecting the city to the landscape of Spaarnwoude.
Human Scale and a Healthy Living Environment
The design centers on the human scale. The new residential neighborhoods consist of urban blocks and slender towers that have been carefully designed to create healthy, comfortable, and future-proof living environments. Active ground-floor spaces, front yards, and terraces contribute to greening, encourage social interaction, and create a vibrant street scene.
Vibrant Urban Space
Housing, work, and amenities are deliberately interwoven to create a mixed-use and attractive urban neighborhood. Social and commercial functions in the ground-floor spaces ensure an active and inclusive public space and contribute to a vibrant urban environment.
These key components prioritize the various spatial claims and interests within the area. The existing ownership structure served as an important starting point for a feasible and adaptive development strategy. The interests of individual landowners were carefully taken into account, while at the same time working toward a single, recognizable, and cohesive area. In the final design, property boundaries have been made as invisible as possible, so that the quality of the public space and the identity of the area take center stage.
Station areas like Oostpoort provide an opportunity to create lively, sustainable neighborhoods through densification and mixed-use development. These neighborhoods have everyday amenities within walking distance. The station area is ultimately a place where everyone becomes a pedestrian. This is why improving the environment, creating accessible routes, and designing attractive public spaces are central to the project.
Over the coming years, the Haarlem City Council will continue to finalize the design and construction plan for Hart voor Oostpoort. If all goes according to plan, construction will begin in 2029.
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