The Almere City Council announced the finalization of the plan and land development of Almere Hout North last week. The Almere Hout North plan, also entitled “neighbourhood initiatives”, is a masterplan designed by Mecanoo architecten in collaboration with West 8. The plan is a part of Almere Hout, a district that is being developed by the municipality of Almere and the housing corporation Ymere. Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2011.

Almere Hout North is the first major residential and business district on the East side of the new town Almere Hout. The planning area is about 335 hectares and is being developed as a dynamic urban village. There are approximately 4,200 dwellings, of which 30 per cent are privately owned. Mecanoo and West 8 designed a district in which entrepreneurship and other initiatives are encouraged. The Talent House, the Experience Point, the Entrepreneurial house and the Chance premises are situated along the lively axes to stimulate encounters and encourage development. Space is created entrepreneurship at home and within the urban office areas.

Almere Hout North is a sustainable and ecological neighbourhood, the existing forests retain water efficiently for re-use; energy supply is generated by wind turbines. A network of vibrant and stately avenues form the main structure of the district (order), in which neighbourhoods grow in organic and surprising ways (chaos). Mecanoo is currently developing new typologies in which living and working come together.