Construction of the largest car-free city district in the Netherlands has started!

The construction of Merwede, the largest car-free city district in the Netherlands, officially started today. 6,000 homes will be built in this sustainable new housing estate in Utrecht. Merwede, which is a stone’s throw from the historic center of Utrecht, is a modern, urban area that has all amenities. The district offers a mix of living, working and recreation – all within walking distance of each other. In addition to homes, there will be offices, schools, shops and restaurants, among other things. There is a wide variety of homes within the district, from social housing to luxury penthouses. With this milestone, Merwede is making an important contribution to solving the housing shortage and the development of future-proof, green residential areas. The first homes will be completed in 2027.

The start construction of Merwede marks a special moment for BURA. After all, we have been intensively involved in the planning of this innovative and sustainable city district in Utrecht for many years; from the first sketches and vision for the area in 2016, the adoption of the Urban Development Plan and Image Quality Plan in 2021 to the work that Supervisor Marco Broekman and his team are now doing. We are very proud of what we have achieved together with the Owners’ Collective and all advisors and stakeholders. Compliments also to the municipality of Utrecht, its board, alderman Eelco Eerenberg (and his predecessors) and city council!

The project was commissioned by the Merwede Owners’ Collective, and consists of: AM, Boelens de Gruyter, BPD | Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling, Greystar, G&S Vastgoed, Janssen de Jong Projectontwikkeling, Lingotto, Synchroon, 3T Vastgoed and the Gemeente Utrecht. As leader of the design team, BURA is working together with the municipality of Utrecht, LOLA Landscape Architects, Mark Rabbie, Merwede LAB, Mirjam Schmüll, Stadkwadraat BV, various consultants and the Merwede Quality Team led by Marc Reniers, on the creation of this new city district. For more information about Merwede, visit www.merwede.nl

Credits images: Juri Hiensch and BURA+LOLA