ReGen Villages Oosterwold
Net-positive energy residential community producing more than it consumes
ReGen Villages Oosterwold is a masterplan for a self-sustained neighborhood of 203 homes on a 25-hectare site in Oosterwold, 20 minutes from Amsterdam. Except developed the circularity plan, urban metabolism analysis, masterplan, architectural typologies, and landscape design. The neighborhood is mainly car-free, integrates permaculture and agroforestry food systems, and provides community centers for work, education, and social life. It is among the most comprehensively regenerative residential developments built in the Netherlands.
The Problem
Conventional housing development in the Netherlands consumes land, energy, and resources without returning value to local ecosystems or communities. The Oosterwold region offered progressive planning regulations, but a rule preventing connectivity between separate housing blocks created a significant barrier to integrated sustainable design. Except worked directly with the municipality of Almere to navigate these constraints, ensuring the advanced, integrated neighborhood systems could be implemented within the legal framework.Process
Circularity and urban metabolism analysis
Except developed the data research and circularity plan underpinning the neighborhood, modeling how energy, water, food, and waste flows could be closed within the site boundary.Integrated food and landscape design
Permaculture and agroforestry systems were integrated throughout the landscape. Greenhouses provide hydroponic growing and vertical farming for vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The design enhances biodiversity and stormwater management simultaneously.Planning alignment with municipality
Except worked directly with the municipality to ensure planning rules were respected while achieving the ambition for an interconnected, resource-sharing neighborhood.Outcomes
- Homes
- 203
- Self-sustained residential neighborhood
- Site area
- 25 ha
- In Oosterwold, Almere
- Distance to Amsterdam
- 20 min
- By public transport
- Energy performance
- Net-positive
- Design target
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