Houten is on the threshold of a major development challenge. With around 30 locations in a contiguous area – and soon also Houten Oost – the municipality is deliberately choosing parallel planning: an approach in which plan-making and collaboration with developers take place simultaneously and intensively. This enables Houten to maintain momentum with limited capacity, working with initiators and housing associations to create strong neighbourhoods with a coherent residential programme and an attractive, multifunctional public realm.
Parallel planning must become the new norm. The shortened process cuts the plan cycle by as much as four years, prevents everyone, amid capacity constraints, from having to keep reinventing the wheel, and also ensures a pleasant, equitable collaboration. But how does that work in practice, and what should you watch out for?
Eveline Herben (councillor Houten), Barbara Wassenaar (area development regisseur Houten) and Evelyn Rademakers (Fakton) take you through the Houten approach: the lessons, the pitfalls and, above all, the opportunities to truly accelerate area development.
PROVADA winner Michel Baars: 'MOOS will become the ASML of housing construction'
Not a man of one company, but a man of movements. His strength? Not shouting from the sidelines, but starting new companies himself that set the market in motion and challenge existing systems. That's how the jury of the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 describes winner Michel Baars. 'Michel gives direction to our entire construction and real estate sector.'
PROVADA 2026: It's a wrap!
For three days, the real estate sector stood shoulder to shoulder at RAI Amsterdam. With a record number of visitors, a packed programme and plenty of energy, PROVADA 2026 was an edition to remember. Below, we look back at the highlights — and at the end you'll find the photos and aftermovie to relive it all.
PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 for Michel Baars
At PROVADA 2026, the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 was presented to Michel Baars. The award is presented annually to an individual who realises sustainable change within the built environment through vision, courage and decisiveness. This year's presentation marks the award's fifth edition.