The municipal executive is taking an important step towards renewing the area around the three apartment blocks Fort Prins Willem, De Engstoep and Hoogveld. The municipality is working closely with housing corporation JOOST, the owner of the homes.
Pieter-Paul Slikker, alderman for Housing and Care: “We are now taking a big step towards a new Hintham-South. We are not only building new homes, we are building a strong community. Together with housing corporation JOOST and the residents, we are creating an open, green and connected neighborhood where people feel at home and can meet each other. I am proud of how we, with attention to current residents and the many people seeking housing in our municipality, are working towards a future where affordable housing, quality and a park-like living environment go hand in hand.”
More homes in an accessible neighborhood
On the site where three large and outdated apartment blocks currently stand, 320 to 400 homes will be built in the coming years, mainly apartments for 1- and 2-person households. There will be at least 320 affordable and social rental homes offered by housing corporation JOOST. In addition, there will also be affordable and expensive owner-occupied homes.
This gives more people the chance to have a nice home in the neighborhood. At the same time, the area will get a large, green zone where residents can walk, play, meet and relax. The new buildings will better connect to the existing neighborhood and will no longer form a hard boundary, but will instead be part of an open and accessible neighborhood. Thanks to the new layout, there will soon be a logical and pleasant connection with the surrounding streets and paths, so that the area is no longer a closed-off section, but really comes together with the rest of the neighborhood.
Marieke Vossen, director-manager at JOOST: “We are very happy that we can continue with this development. Many people have already moved in Herman Moerkerklaan. We are impressed by the resilience in the neighborhood. The faster we can build new homes again, the more people will have a home.”
What is in the development framework?
The municipal executive has adopted a draft development framework. This describes how the area may develop in the coming years. The document includes frameworks about the type of housing, the buildings, greenery, the design of public space and the connection with the neighborhood. It is not yet a final design, but a framework to which future construction plans must comply. This ensures the quality of the area.
Residents and stakeholders contributed
During the creation of the development framework, residents, neighbors and other interested parties were actively involved. They could participate via a survey and during two well-attended walk-in evenings they could ask questions and provide input. The municipality and JOOST also held talks with interest groups and socio-cultural organizations. The many ideas, comments and concerns that emerged were carefully weighed and included in the draft development framework.
Four weeks for inspection
The draft development framework will be available for inspection for four weeks from March 9, 2026. Everyone can view the plan, both online and at the city office. Residents and stakeholders can respond in writing during this period. We collect all responses and assess if and how these will be incorporated into the final development framework. The municipal council will ultimately decide whether the final development framework is approved.