Isn’t it interesting that a place called De Bongerd, which means “orchard,” rose from an industrial site? This Amsterdam Noord neighborhood, part of Tuindorp Oostzaan, tells a story of transformation. De Bongerd emerged from a former industrial area and community gardens.
Picture this: it’s the late 1990s. Amsterdam needs more housing. Planners envision a garden city, a familiar concept in this part of the city. Rudy Uytenhaak, an urban planner and architect, was tasked with designing the area. Architects like Paul de Ruiter and Hans Been also contributed. De Bongerd gradually took shape. City villas and luxury townhouses began to appear. The credit crisis slowed progress temporarily.
The streets here bear names of fruit trees grown in the Netherlands. You will notice Boomgaardlaan, Kwekerijlaan, and Moestuinlaan. These names connect De Bongerd to its “orchard” namesake.
But there’s something else here. It is a striking monument to the past: the Paard van Noord. This old crane stands as a reminder of the area’s industrial heritage. Built in Koog aan de Zaan between 1956 and 1959, the crane originally served a concrete factory in Velsen. It was later moved to Zijkanaal I around 1969. Here, it unloaded sand and gravel from ships. It also aided in the construction of the neighborhood itself.
When the Mebin concrete factory closed, the crane nearly disappeared. The residents of the new De Bongerd neighborhood formed a group to save it. They even sought advice from former workers. That’s how it got its name: Paard van Noord, meaning “Horse of the North”.
De Bongerd is designed with green spaces. Narrow residential streets maximize land for houses with gardens. Each house has a small footprint. Living and private rooms are located on the upper floors to maximize garden space.
Built in phases over five years, De Bongerd includes about 1,300 homes. Hurks built around 400 of them. The neighborhood has four sections or districts. Each one maintains a garden village feel but with a distinct character. It is nestled between green meadows and waterways. This creates a peaceful living environment.
The location is quite convenient. You can quickly reach Amsterdam Central Station by taking one of the many ferries. The Klaprozenweg makes it easy to access the A10 highway by car. De Bongerd strives to be family-friendly. Car-free zones, green spaces around apartment buildings, and playgrounds abound. IKC Noordrijk provides a local elementary school and daycare.
So, as you explore De Bongerd, remember its journey. It is a transition from industry to a thriving residential area, from concrete to a green oasis, from an industrial area to a child-friendly place. This is a modern garden city with a nod to its past.