If you've read my earlier posts, you'll know that the Oosterpolder is a patch of land that's been reclaimed from the inland sea which sits in the heart of the Netherlands. Work to reclaim the land began in the 1990's, but it's only just reached the stage where heavy infrastructure can be placed.

Oosterpolder sits just to the East of the old town of Nieuwezee, which has been awarded special funds to develop itself into 'a city for the 21st century...'

Since the announcement of these funds in the New Year, workers have been laying roads, tram-tracks and utilities across the Polder...

As you can see, the first private commercial development has also begun, with buildings springing up along the two main boulevards through the new district -- the Havenbrugweg at the top of the picture runs directly to the old Harbour Bridge, and the Nieuwe Polderlaan at the bottom of the picture links the old suburbs of Nieuwezee Peninsula, to the future Central Business District which will be the 'jewel in the crown' of the Oosterpolder.

The Oosterpolder development also involves laying around 1.5km of tram track, from a junction at the Central Hospital on the Peninsula, across the Polder and terminating at a new public square (the Oosterpolderplein) in the heart of the Oosterpolder CBD.

An artist's impression of the planned Oosterpolderplein public square. Mixed hard and soft landscaping will give a sense of space and movement to this 24hr heart of the Oosterpolder. The new Tram Line 2 will terminate here just beside a 'sunken mall' featuring boutique shops and eateries. The whole square is surrounded by high-quality office, leisure and entertainment facilities...

The heavy infrastructure works are still ongoing, but these should be completed by the end of the year. By that time, the first commercial and residential developments will be occupied and the Central Business District will begin to take shape.

In the next entry, I'll show you around the Poldermeer lake and country-park. As you'll see, it's just a stone's throw from the planned Oosterpolderplein...