Brandevoort
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The district of Brandevoort lies south-east of the city centre of Helmond, between Helmond, Mierlo, Geldrop and Nuenen. This area has been designated by the government as a growth area (Vinex-location). Building on this former farm land started around 1997 and will continue until 2017. In total around 18.000 people will find their home in Brandevoort in 6.000 houses and apartments.
The district is build around its own central “fortress” which is referred to as “De Veste” (“The stronghold”). It is build in the style of the old cities like Amsterdam and other cities that started as a fortress (see maps of Brandevoort). Around this central core a number of small quarters are located like small villages. These are build to have an atmosphere referred as "Brabantse gezelligheid" ("Brabantse" (province of The Netherlands) cosiness). Although fitting together in the master plan, like in modern cities with organical growth these small villages have their own urban identity.
In the center of Brandevoort there is room for small scale shops and a fairly large supermarket is planned. There is a health care center, a community center and 2 schools. The Brandevoort district also has its own uniquely designed railway station which brings you to Helmond and Eindhoven city centres with 10 minutes.
Brandevoort is being built according a master plan designed and guarded by Rob Krier a well known sculptor and architect from Luxembourg, who was commissioned by the local authorities of the city of Helmond. Rob Krier did some of the earlier specific designing of parts of Brandevoort and he defined the overall master plan. The outer "villages" have been designed by other architects but always within the master plan of Rob Krier.
Although accused as being a creator of “Disneyland’s” the Brandevoort district breathes Rob Krier's philosophy of organically, small-scale, human measured living to the fullest. The most beautiful evidence for this is the popularity of the district among its inhabitants and also the visitors (of which many internationally know) whatever modern architects may think about this.
