Noordstad

Noordstad is a fictional city and municipality in the Netherlands. It is presented as a mid-sized urban center in the northern part of the country, located along a network of rivers and canals that historically supported trade.

Founded in the 12th century as a port, Noordstad grew through the Dutch Golden Age, emphasizing shipbuilding and trade. In the late 20th century it reoriented toward logistics, services, and urban renewal after industrial decline.

The city features a central waterfront with a historic canal belt, urban parks, and surrounding polders and woodlands.

Noordstad is governed by a municipal council and a mayor; the council has 33 seats and various parties. It belongs to a fictional province and participates in regional planning and transit coordination.

Key sectors include logistics, maritime services, and high-tech manufacturing. Transportation infrastructure includes Noordstad Central Station, a ring road, river port facilities, and bicycle-friendly streets; district heating serves the city.

The population is about 110,000 and is diverse, with multiple immigrant communities. Dutch is the official language, with other languages commonly spoken in everyday life.

Cultural and educational institutions include a university of applied sciences, multiple museums, theaters, and a historic Old Town with canal houses. Public libraries and regular cultural festivals are common.

Notable features include Noordstad Tower and the Old Town Hall, while the Harbor Quarter shows ongoing redevelopment and mixed-use zoning aimed at sustainability.