Dutch town mandates half-acre food production for new residents

Oosterwold, a low-density neighbourhood built on reclaimed soil east of Amsterdam, requires each plot owner to dedicate at least half of the area to food production, a condition set by local planners to preserve the region’s agricultural character. The development, covering 4,300 hectares within the city of Almere, limits construction to 18% of the land, with the rest allocated to roads, public green, water and 59% urban agriculture.

Residents may design any house they wish, but must also provide infrastructure such as roads, energy and waste services, either individually or collectively. To assist newcomers without farming skills, a city-farmer matching platform and the Oosterwold Food Hub, run by the municipality and a cooperative, offer guidance and resources. Early participants like Marco de Kat and chef Jalil Bekkour have turned their gardens into personal food sources and restaurant supplies, illustrating the model’s potential.

Researchers such as Jan Eelco Jansma and Jason Hawes note both the environmental benefits and the need for careful infrastructure planning to keep the carbon footprint low. The long-term goal is to contribute about 10% of Almere’s overall food consumption.