[ECO]Oosterwold Urban Agriculture: A Dutch Urban Experiment That’s Changing City Planning

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Oosterwold is a Dutch suburb where residents must grow food on at least half of their property.

Just east of Amsterdam, a unique urban

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is taking place in the community of Oosterwold. It is challenging traditional city planning by combining self-sufficiency with mandatory urban agriculture. 

Covering 4,300 hectares (10,625 acres) in Almere, a suburb of Amsterdam, this initiative gives residents the freedom to design their own homes and infrastructure, with one key rule: 50% of each plot must be dedicated to

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, as part of a growing food law.

Since its establishment in 2017, Oosterwold has grown to about 5,000 residents, with a waiting list for new arrivals. The community is designed around a collaborative approach to development, where residents take responsibility for building roads, schools, waste systems, and even naming streets. What makes Oosterwold stand out is its non-negotiable emphasis on urban agriculture, which integrates food production directly into urban living.

Marco de Kat, a local councillor and Oosterwold resident, has fully embraced the community’s sustainable ethos. Since moving in 2017, de Kat has transformed his 800-square-meter garden into a source of fresh produce, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs like apples, peppers, and basil. In the winter, he and his wife rely on preserved foods stored in freezers to maintain their supply.

“Yesterday, I forgot to think about what to eat,” de Kat shared. “You just walk through your garden, find something, and that’s what you eat.”

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By growing their own food, residents save on grocery costs and contribute to the local economy. Licensed under the Unsplash+ License.

While some residents like de Kat focus on personal consumption, others have ******* ambitions. Take Jalil Bekkour, for example. He turned his garden into a testing ground for ingredients used in his restaurant, Atelier Feddan. Since opening three years ago, 80% of the food served at the restaurant comes from Oosterwold, showing the potential for urban agriculture to drive local food economies.

Unlike typical urban areas, Oosterwold offers residents great flexibility in how they manage their plots. Agricultural techniques vary widely, from orchards to greenhouses to

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. This freedom has led to a diverse range of approaches to farming, with each resident contributing their own ideas to the overall system.

“This rule – the requirement to produce food on at least 50% of your property – is unique,” said Jan Eelco Jansma, a researcher at Wageningen University & Research. He was instrumental in promoting the idea of integrating urban agriculture into Oosterwold’s development.

Despite its flexibility, the project hasn’t been without challenges. Many residents lack farming expertise, and early on, there wasn’t much guidance available. Jansma described the planning process as “a bit laissez-faire,” leaving many to figure things out on their own. To address these challenges, the Oosterwold Food Hub was created.

Managed by the Almere local authority and the Oosterwold food cooperative, the hub provides resources, workshops, and knowledge-sharing to help residents improve their agricultural practices.

“Some people do it very well, but others don’t,” said Yolanda Sikking, Oosterwold’s participation manager. “We decided we need to encourage more people to improve.”

Oosterwold’s focus on urban agriculture has several economic benefits. By growing their own food, residents save on grocery costs and contribute to the local economy. Businesses like Atelier Feddan show that urban agriculture can also drive job creation and reduce food transportation expenses.

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in Oosterwold have been rising as the area becomes known for its sustainability. Many potential homebuyers are attracted not just by the homes themselves, but by the lifestyle and values associated with eco-conscious living. The community also provides opportunities for local entrepreneurs to experiment with agricultural innovations and get immediate feedback from consumers.

The environmental impact of Oosterwold’s urban agriculture is also significant. Research indicates that small-scale urban farms in the area are helping to improve soil quality and biodiversity, reducing the ecological damage caused by urban sprawl. Residents use methods like composting, rainwater harvesting, and natural pest control to minimize their environmental footprints.

However, a 2024 study by Jason Hawes raised concerns about the carbon emissions generated during the initial infrastructure development. Hawes pointed out that the early stages of urban farming can produce higher emissions compared to traditional farming methods. To address this, residents are encouraged to use reclaimed materials and design their plots for long-term sustainability.

“Making the right infrastructure choices early on is key to long-term sustainability,” Hawes said, urging planners to prioritize low-carbon strategies.

Oosterwold has set an ambitious goal to supply 10% of Almere’s food, a target that many believe is achievable. But the community’s influence could extend beyond its own borders. Oosterwold could serve as a model for urban development worldwide, particularly as cities face

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related to food security and environmental sustainability.

Rositsa T. Ilieva, director of policy at the City University of New York’s Urban Food Policy Institute, believes Oosterwold’s model is replicable. “By making agriculture a central part of land use planning, cities can transform suburban areas into vibrant, multifunctional spaces that support ecological, social, and economic goals.”

Jansma agrees, emphasizing that urban planners often separate agriculture from urbanization, but Oosterwold shows that integrating the two can lead to a more sustainable future.

Oosterwold’s scale may seem intimidating, but residents advise newcomers to start small. “You don’t have to go big right away,” said Bekkour. “Focus on growing a few basic crops and expand from there.”

“You can make it work with a strong vision and the right mindset,” added de Kat.

Oosterwold is challenging long-held ideas about urban living and food production. As cities around the world deal with environmental challenges and food security issues, the lessons learned from Oosterwold could inspire a new wave of resilient, sustainable urban communities.

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