karréblokker

Karréblokker is a term used in Dutch architecture and urban planning to describe a type of urban housing block commonly found in Dutch cities. A karréblokker consists of rows or terraces of houses that enclose a shared inner courtyard, forming a roughly square or rectangular karré (block). The block is typically bounded by continuous façades on all four sides, with access to the courtyard via narrow passageways or stairwells along the inner edges. The central courtyard provides light and air to the inner units and often contains gardens or open space.

The design emphasizes dense urban living while preserving light access. Facades are usually uniform in height and rhythm, with alignments of windows facing both the street and the courtyard. Interiors commonly organize around a vertical circulation core, such as stairwells. In many cases, karréblokker were built in the 17th through 19th centuries in expanding Dutch towns, as a means to maximize housing density while providing a sheltered communal space.

Over time, some karréblokker blocks were subdivided into smaller apartments or converted for modern residential use, and many have undergone restoration to preserve historic façades. Today, surviving examples are valued as part of cultural heritage and urban planning history, illustrating historical approaches to land use and social life in Dutch cities.