Train station Almelo

With the Twente region being designated as one of the national areas of interest for strong demographic growth, 100,000 new inhabitants are expected to move in to eastern part of the country. Almelo is one of two railway zones expected to drive this growth and densification, making it important the city anticipate this growth with an improvement of the urban quality around the station, the main entrance to Almelo. Key to addressing this are concerns in the current station’s connections, social safety inside and around, as well as protecting the monumental but ageing station structure.

In this regard, Keizer Koopman conducted a study and provided several scenarios developed alongside the city along multiple time scales.

In the short term, an improved tunnel, expanded common spaces, and extra bicycle parking provide a straightforward answer to some of the current problems.

In the medium term, the study proposes a new inter-neighbourhood bridge connection with access points on both sides of the tracks, removing any barriers previously imposed by the station in the past. Alongside the bridge, a tunnel connects the north and south for cyclists under the tracks, increasing mobility in the area.

The long-term vision sees this bridge becoming a new, contemporary station with expanded platforms, greenery, and compact entrance buildings at the heart of two new developments on both sides of the tracks, revitalizing areas previously isolated by the railway, taking full advantage of the location’s unique proximity to the canal to the north.