City of Almelo

With 72,000 residents, Almelo is a medium-sized municipality in the Twente region, the most eastern part of the Netherlands, near the German border. Neighbouring towns are Hengelo and Enschede.

Almelo is atown full of character offering a diversity of shops, schools and businesses. The pleasant city centre and the green surroundings make Almelo an attractive town to live and visit.

The Almelo project 'Northern Park' builds on the outcome of the URBAL Interreg project finalised in 2007. In this the development potential was investigated and further research areas were identified.

The Northern Park project is a pilot that aims to connect the urban area and the rural fringe. The park will be part of a 480 ha new development, "Water Realm" including 4,000 houses and 85 ha of green area. It is an interesting test case where the traditional distinction between urban and rural development is to be replaced by integral planning. Of particular relevance is the development of tourist and leisure infrastructure in the area.

The Northern Park is one of the four green lungs in the inner city area. It needs redevelopment in view to its future use as connecting zone to the new living area 'Water Realm'. On the south side the Northern Park borders a mostly industrial area which is under plans to create a large scale living area.

The Northern Park lacks identity and is not equipped for future use. The potential it offers in terms of landscape and functional use is underdeveloped and needs to be addressed urgently. Since 1997 the Northern Park has been subject of many investigations within the frame of national and European programmes.

The project aims to:

Connect two large green areas and use the potential of an unused canal which will substantially increase the attractiveness of the area.The project will look at the potential of making a city centre the recreational focal point, with an impact that goes beyond the city fringes and in turn will support the centre function of the inner city.

Concrete outcomes are cycling tracks and long distance walking courses to valuable nature reserves. Through these connections, these reserves become accessible and reachable, unlocking valuable recreational and tourist potential for the inner city and reducing car traffic from and to the city fringes for present and future inhabitants.

This will be done through:

• Design of improved traffic connections.
• Establish a city fringe along the green lungs.
• Fitting in an important traffic artery (Noordallee).
• Keeping open vulnerable over crossing which connect the city with surrounding landscape.
• Fitting in existing residences/farms as crucial elements of the green lungs.
• Fitting in recreational facilities.