Brandevoort
The district of Brandevoort lies south-west 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 completed or full build-out scheduled for 2017. In total around 18,000 people will find their home in Brandevoort in 6,000 houses and apartments. Currently (2011) there are living 8.500 people living in 3.000 houses and apartments (Source; Municipality Helmond).
The district is built around a central “fortress” which is referred to as “De Veste” (“The stronghold”). It is built 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 built to have an atmosphere referred as "Brabantse gezelligheid" ("Brabantse" (province of The Netherlands) cosiness). Although fitting together in the master plan, like in organically grown cities, these small villages have their own urban identity.
In the center of Brandevoort there is a small scale commercial area with several shops and a fairly large supermarket. There are a health care center, a community center, children day care and 2 primary schools. The Brandevoort district also has its own uniquely designed railway station (in style of the district) which brings you to Helmond and Eindhoven city centres within 10 minutes.
Brandevoort is being built according to a master plan designed and guarded by the project-architects: Paul van Beek (Paul van Beek landschappen BNT Amsterdam), Rob Krier · Christoph Kohl (K · K Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, Berlin) and Maarten Ouwens (Wissing Stedenbouw bv Barendrecht) in collaboration with Grontmij (with Jan Nijhof and Mariëlle Kok).
