What would happen if we redistributed the space currently allocated to cars? This question lies at the heart of the Development Vision for Nieuw Brandevoort, one of the largest housing development sites in the Netherlands. The vision prioritises walking and cycling, and aims to restore the street as a place for socialising, playing and enjoying nature.
Nieuw Brandevoort is a new neighbourhood in the southwest of Helmond, with plans for between 3,800 and 5,000 homes. A development of this size involves many aspects, including 4,000 homes (70% of which are affordable), a Beekdal park, car-free streets, and space for facilities and workplaces. Commissioned by the municipality of Helmond, PosadMaxwan collaborated with Buiting Advies and Rod'or Advies on the Urban Development Vision.
We have become accustomed to streets that are primarily designed for cars. With an average of one car per household, little space is left for anything else. We hear more and more about dry and wet spikes, heat stress, and disappearing insects. This is related to how our cities are designed: lots of paving and little space for nature. What would happen if we redistributed that space? What if we organised parking more efficiently and redesigned the streets with wide sidewalks, a car-free lane, and – just as importantly – space for trees, water, and gathering?
In Nieuw Brandevoort, we are aiming to do things differently, guided by ten ambitions.
Nieuw Brandevoort will be a neighbourhood for everyone, with mixed-use areas and a variety of housing types. The compact centre will be within walking distance of the station. The buildings will vary slightly in density, with taller buildings around the station. Water and greenery will play a central role, with approximately 10,000 new trees, numerous wadis (green ditches that collect rainwater), playgrounds, and neighbourhood squares. The district will connect optimally to the surrounding landscape with walking and cycling paths leading to the Stiphoutse Bossen, the Gulbergen estate, and the Coovels Bos, among others.
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The City Council adopted the Urban Development Vision, the participation plan, and the financial framework. Assuming all goes according to plan, construction will begin in 2027. The project is expected to be completed within ten years.
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