Meerstad is a
planned town in the
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
province of
Groningen
Groningen (; gos, Grunn or ) is the capital city and main municipality of Groningen province in the Netherlands. The ''capital of the north'', Groningen is the largest place as well as the economic and cultural centre of the northern part of t ...
. It started in 2007 as part of the municipality of
Slochteren
Slochteren () is a village and former municipality with a population of 15,546 in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. On 1 January 2018, Slochteren merged with Hoogezand-Sappemeer and Menterwolde, forming the municipal ...
, but was transferred to the
city of Groningen in 2017. The original plan was to built 10,000 houses for 30,000 people by 2026, but has been revised to 6,000 houses by 2035.
History
In March 2005, the municipal council of
Slochteren
Slochteren () is a village and former municipality with a population of 15,546 in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. On 1 January 2018, Slochteren merged with Hoogezand-Sappemeer and Menterwolde, forming the municipal ...
approved the master plan of Meerstad. The name is a combination of meer (lake) and stad (city), and was planned to become a suburban
planned town with 10,000 houses for 30,000 people by 2026. The town would be built on a area,
and would cater to middle income families. In 2006, the construction of the central lake started, and in 2008, the first houses were built.
Slochteren would be responsible, however it would be built in corporation with the
city of Groningen.
The initial plans were too optimistic. In 2010, there were supposed to be 3,000 houses in Meerstad, but in 2014, less than 200 had been built.
The numbers were revised down to 6,000 houses by 2035.
In 2011, there were rumours that Slochteren wanted to transfer ownership to the city of Groningen, however both municipalities neither confirmed nor denied the rumours. In 2015, it was announced that Meerstad would be transferred to the city of Groningen effective 1 January 2017. The villages of
Harkstede
Harkstede (), also known as Haarkstee () in Gronings, is a small village in the northeastern Netherlands. It is located in Midden-Groningen, Groningen. Harkstede is located near the " Meerstad Project" of the municipality of Groningen, however it ...
and which were located within the Meerstad project would remain in Slochteren.
In 2021, the losses on the Meerstad project were in excess of €100 million,
and the population was 2,595 people.
Gallery
File:Kpn roeibaan Meerstad Harkstede Breakout GrunoPark 20 48 21 295000.jpeg, Gruno Park (2021)
File:Woningen aan het meer tussen de Driemerenweg en Meeroever.jpg, Buildings on the lake
Notes
References
Bibliography
*
External links
Official website(in Dutch)
{{Authority control
Populated places in Groningen (province)
Groningen (city)
Planned cities
2007 establishments in the Netherlands