Almere New Town Grows Up

Founded in the 1970s as a solution for housing shortages around Amsterdam and Schiphol, Almere has grown into one of the largest "new" cities in Europe.

1 minute read

February 25, 2003, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The key to Almere's original success, according to Dirk Frieling, head of the project group responsible for planning and developing the new town in 1973... was very simple -- the government owned all of the land being developed. This important fact enabled rapid growth and allowed for plenty of green spaces and low-density development, neither of which would have been possible if the land was privately owned. These two characteristics are still the most impressive features of the city."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Read the full story: Coming of age: Almere New Town grows up

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 in Shared Spaces

Community / Economic Development Europe

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