oostkant

Oostkant is a Dutch term that literally translates to the eastern side or eastern edge of a place. It is used in geographic and urban contexts to describe the part of a town, city, or region situated on the east side, but it does not denote a fixed, nationwide administrative unit.

In practice, Oostkant can refer to a descriptive area within a municipality or city, and it may appear as a local neighborhood name or planning designation. Because borders and designations are determined by each municipality, the exact extent of an area called Oostkant varies from one place to another and is not standardized across the Netherlands or Belgium.

Historically, the word can also appear in more general discussions of geography or frontier zones, where it denotes the eastern flank of a region. In everyday speech, Oostkant is often a practical label used by residents or officials to reference the eastern portion of an urban or rural area.

The term is related to other directional toponyms such as noordkant (northern side), zuidkant (southern side), and westkant (western side). When encountering Oostkant in maps, documents, or addresses, it is advisable to consult the local context to determine the precise boundary or significance assigned by that municipality.

See also: noordkant, zuidkant, westkant, toponymy, urban planning.