Nieuwegein and Houten shape future of Laagraven with public input
Residents, entrepreneurs, and farmers in Laagraven can now help shape the area’s future as Nieuwegein and Houten develop a vision for a landscape park. The plan aims to balance nature, agriculture, and recreation amid growing urbanization, ensuring the region remains green and accessible for all.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | Laagraven (between Nieuwegein, Houten, and Utrecht) |
| Collaboration Program | Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap |
| Stakeholders Involved | Residents, entrepreneurs, farmers, recreational users |
| Key Focus Areas | Landscape/heritage experience, future-proof agriculture, accessibility, nature/biodiversity, water storage |
| Public Meeting | Before summer 2026 (invitation via municipal websites) |
| Potential Outcome | Landscape park combining nature, agriculture, housing, and recreation |
| Partners | Province of Utrecht, municipalities of Bunnik, Houten, Nieuwegein, Utrecht, Zeist, Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden |
| Timeline | Development Perspective 2040 (pilot area within Groen Groeit Mee) |
The municipalities of Nieuwegein and Houten, alongside regional partners, are responsible for spatial planning and sustainable development in the Utrecht province. Their role includes balancing urban growth with the preservation of green spaces, agriculture, and recreational areas like Laagraven. The Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap program reflects their commitment to collaborative, future-proof planning.
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Working together on the future of Laagraven
The municipalities of Nieuwegein and Houten are starting work on a future vision for Laagraven. This will be done as part of the Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap collaboration programme. Residents, entrepreneurs, farmers and other stakeholders in the area are invited to actively contribute their ideas on how the area can develop in the future and how its landscape can remain strong and attractive.
Why a future vision for Laagraven?
Laagraven lies between Nieuwegein, Houten and Utrecht. It is an open and green area with farmland and special historical sites, such as the Dutch Water Lines. Due to the rapid growth in the number of homes in the surrounding cities, Laagraven is becoming increasingly important as a place to walk, cycle and recreate close to home, while also providing space for agriculture and nature. For example, consider the plans for the proposed housing development in Groot Merwede. This means choices need to be made to preserve and strengthen the cohesion and character of the area. The municipalities are working within the Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap to develop a joint future vision for Laagraven that will guide the area's development.
Possible direction: landscape park
In the Development Perspective 2040 of the Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap, Laagraven is mentioned as a possible location for a landscape park. This is an area where nature, agriculture, housing and recreation can coexist harmoniously. What this will mean in concrete terms for Laagraven has yet to be determined. We will explore this together with the people who live, work and relax in the area.
We will be looking at, among other things:
- How visitors can better experience the landscape and heritage.
- Future-proof agriculture.
- Improved accessibility for walkers and cyclists.
- More nature and biodiversity.
- Space for water storage and water quality.
Contributing to the future
Residents, entrepreneurs, farmers, recreational users and other stakeholders are invited to contribute their ideas about the future of Laagraven. Before the summer, the municipalities of Nieuwegein and Houten will organise a public meeting. At this meeting, we will explain more about the plans, outline the process and discuss opportunities and points for attention. After this meeting, a group of stakeholders can continue to contribute their ideas in a working group.
Stakeholders in the area will receive an invitation to the meeting. More information will also be published on the municipal websites. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
The Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap
Laagraven is part of the Kromme Rijn Linie Landschap, which is a pilot area within Groen Groeit Mee. In this partnership, the Province of Utrecht, the municipalities of Bunnik, Houten, Nieuwegein, Utrecht and Zeist, and the Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden are working together to ensure that recreational green spaces, nature, water, agriculture and landscape grow in tandem with housing development in the province.
In 2025, they established the Development Perspective 2040 for this purpose. Laagraven is one of four sub-areas where a future vision and concrete projects are being developed. More information can be found on the Groen groeit mee website.