Houten, A Modern Town Built for People
Houten, A Planned, Historic & Colorful Town
We went for a walk around the block in Houten, a modern, planned town and suburb of Utrecht. Designed by urban planners and architects, Houten was designated as a growth center for Utrecht in the 1960s to house the city’s increasing population. As a result, it grew from just 8,500 residents in 1979 to over 50,000 today.
Despite its size, Houten is a surprisingly quiet town. We learned that the Ronde Toren (Round Tower) is a unique historic remnant of what was once Castle Schoonauwen, dating back to 1375.
We also checked out the famous rainbow houses at the Rietplas. These colorful homes are a must-visit for photographers, as highlighted by the Smithsonian Magazine. It was easy to get there, thanks to the numerous walking and biking paths that led right to them.
The Cycling City
The innercity walking and biking paths make Houten unique: cyclists and pedestrians have priority in the residential areas. The main bypass road, known as the “Rondweg,” helps keep car traffic outside the city center. This design makes Houten a fantastic place to stroll or ride your bike.
It’s therefore no surprise that Houten was named ‘Fietsstad 2018′ (Cycling City 2018) by the Dutch Cyclists’ Union.