Houten Holland. I stayed at the X. A five minute bike ride from the center of the circle.
Houten is a new town in Holland, less than 10 km south of much larger Utrecht. Some 50 years ago, the national government of Holland told the village of Houten to prepare for 40,000 people. Here is a paragraph from wikipedia -
Houten is internationally known for its urban design. Because of the city structure, people are encouraged to travel by bike and train. Distinctive qualities of Houten include the accessibility of the railway station, green and water zones throughout the whole city, numerous soccer and basketball fields, high standard of accommodation for different groups and the child-friendly bicycle paths. It is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands. Cyclists and cars are able to avoid each other: an extensive network of bicycle tracks connects the different districts of the town, while cars have to go to the city ring road before [in order] they can go to another part of the city.
Houten was constructed to be bike friendly and to offer alternatives to the car. The map above shows Houten, new north and new south. A train line runs through both centers. Both centers are car free. A car wanting to cross from one neighborhood to another needs to go to the ring road. Cars are not allowed in the centers of Houten. See fotos below. Both town centers have train stations. Many people commute to Utrecht, only 5 minutes by train. One can bike to Utrecht by bike way, see below. Center is dense residential in apartments above commercial. Much of Houten is Dutch style suburbia. Row houses, but not American style single detached houses. See below.
I had friends and stayed in a modest sized row house. Much smaller than an average American suburban house. My friends are car free. There are many parks and open spaces. The centers have any business or shop one would find in a similar sized town. Very accessible by bike even from the more distant parts of Houten, not more than a kilometer away. Houten is a remarkable place. It is well know to urban planning professionals.
Houten is internationally known for its urban design. Because of the city structure, people are encouraged to travel by bike and train. Distinctive qualities of Houten include the accessibility of the railway station, green and water zones throughout the whole city, numerous soccer and basketball fields, high standard of accommodation for different groups and the child-friendly bicycle paths. It is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands. Cyclists and cars are able to avoid each other: an extensive network of bicycle tracks connects the different districts of the town, while cars have to go to the city ring road before [in order] they can go to another part of the city.
Houten was constructed to be bike friendly and to offer alternatives to the car. The map above shows Houten, new north and new south. A train line runs through both centers. Both centers are car free. A car wanting to cross from one neighborhood to another needs to go to the ring road. Cars are not allowed in the centers of Houten. See fotos below. Both town centers have train stations. Many people commute to Utrecht, only 5 minutes by train. One can bike to Utrecht by bike way, see below. Center is dense residential in apartments above commercial. Much of Houten is Dutch style suburbia. Row houses, but not American style single detached houses. See below.
I had friends and stayed in a modest sized row house. Much smaller than an average American suburban house. My friends are car free. There are many parks and open spaces. The centers have any business or shop one would find in a similar sized town. Very accessible by bike even from the more distant parts of Houten, not more than a kilometer away. Houten is a remarkable place. It is well know to urban planning professionals.
