Houten is a municipality in the Netherlands.
It is located in the province of Utrecht.
As of January 1, 2020, Houten had a population of 50,177 inhabitants. The built-up area covered 5.08 km² (1.96 sq mi) and contained 20,010 residences in 2018. The slightly larger statistical district of Houten had a population of around 39,100 in 2004.
History of Houten
Remains of a Roman villa were discovered in the old center of Houten in the 1950s, and these remnants are still visible in the street layout today. During the Dark Ages, Houten developed as a rural center. The municipality was divided into districts known as gerechten, some of which still exist today: Schonauwen, Wulven, Waijen, and Heemstede.
Many aspects of present-day Houten reflect its historical roots. The earliest references to the older place date back to the ninth century, with the oldest parts of the current place likely dating from the eleventh century. Another historic landmark is the restaurant-café De Engel, which was first mentioned as a tavern in the 16th century.
Old access roads to the town center, such as the Odijkseweg and Loerikseweg, can still be recognized by their names. Houten was once known for its many orchards, although only a few remain today.
The Expanding City: 1966–1998
Modern Houten began to take shape in the late 20th century (1966–1998). It was initially designated as a Groeikern (growth center) by the Wissing-Derks office to accommodate the expanding city of Utrecht. Urban planner Robert Derks played a key role in the development of New Town Houten. In 1979, construction began on 10,000 new homes, and the population grew from 4,000 to over 30,000 by the end of the century.
Second Phase of Growth: 1992–2015
By 2015, around 7,000 new homes had been built in Houten-Zuid, following similar urban design principles as the northern part of the town, with a few differences. Notably, the body of water to the east is larger than those in the older parts of Houten. The green zone in Houten-Zuid, which embraces the center in a pentagonal shape, contrasts with the linear green zone in Houten-Noord, which stretches through the entire city, connecting parks at both ends.
Transport
Rail:
Houten has two railway stations: Houten, which opened in 1868, closed in 1934, and was re-opened in 1982 at a new location, and Houten Castellum, which opened in 2010. Both stations are served by local commuter trains to Utrecht (north) and Geldermalsen (south), with connections to Tiel and Breda. The railway tracks have been expanded from two to four to accommodate additional stops, with four trains per hour in each direction.
Bus:
Buses connect Houten to regional destinations such as Nieuwegein and Utrecht.
Bike:
Houten is known for it's exceptional bike infrastructure, with a system that separates cycling and walking from car traffic. This design ensures maximum comfort and safety for cyclists, making it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the Netherlands. Houten was named Fietsstad (BikeCity) in both 2008 and 2018, winning the title as the best cycling city in the country.
Car:
Houten is well-connected by road, with its own exit from the A27 motorway to the west. The N409 road, with a bus lane, connects Houten to Nieuwegein. To the east and south, the town has only local roads, designed to limit through traffic. The N421 connects Houten to the A12 motorway to the north.
Sustainable Urban Design
Houten is internationally recognized for its innovative urban design, which promotes cycling and train travel. The city's layout encourages sustainable transportation, with an extensive network of bicycle paths that connect the various districts while keeping cyclists and cars separated.
The city features well-planned green spaces, water zones, and recreational areas, including numerous soccer and basketball fields. Houten is also known for it's high-quality accommodations for diverse groups and its child-friendly infrastructure. As one of the safest cities in the Netherlands, it offers a highly accessible railway station and a well-organized ring road for car traffic.
