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BLAUWE STAD
DE ZWARTE HOND, 1999-2015, Jaarfkelaan 1, Vuurjuffer e.o., Winschoten
Blauwe Stad / Blauwe Stad ( De Zwarte Hond )
© 2009

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Diverse architecten

URBAN DESIGN:
Zwarte Hond, de
Jan Timmer

BUILDING TYPE:
Urban plans

After the centuries-long struggle with the water - the Netherlands' raison d'être - had been won, the close of the 20th century brought the first ideas of reimmersing large areas of farmland that had become redundant and turning them into leisure zones. In the socioeconomically weak region of Oost-Groningen, a bowl-shaped peaty depression provided a natural underlay for a large lake of 900 hectares. Blauwe Stad (Blue City) boasts a projected 1500 new dwellings, 300 hectares of new natural areas and some 450 hectares of woodland round the lake with tourist and leisure resources. The excavated soil is being used for dykes and for housing site preparation. Dwellings are concentrated in five new residential areas: Dorp (Village), Wei (Meadow), Park, Riet (Reed) and Bos (Wood), each with its own ambience and personality.