Leidsche Rijn - De Meern, De Woerd

De Woerd is an extension of the village of De Meern, a sub-plan of nearly 500 homes at the Leidsche Rijn Vinex site (government-designated residential development area). The development of the district adhered to a concession model: the municipality turned over responsibility for all land development to Bouwfonds. Bouwfonds was then responsible for the total plan development, from land development and the urban development plan to the realisation of the homes and the design and construction of public space. The design and architecture of this garden town, inspired by the Dutch architects Berlage and Dudok, blends seamlessly with the existing town centre of De Meern. Not modernity but traditionalism, with new buildings in the ambience of the past and the comfort of the present. With gabled roofs, dormer windows, shutters and window frames in old Holland blue. With the use of different types of window frames and different coloured facades and roofs, each home has its own identity. Although the homes are unique, together they form a unit. Small streets interspersed with wide thoroughfares or squares. Cars have almost disappeared from the street scene because the residents park them behind their houses. In short, a residential neighbourhood with an authentic village atmosphere.