Haren, Groningen

Haren (Dutch: [ˈɦaːrə(n)] ; Gronings: Hoaren) is a town and a former municipality in the northeastern Netherlands. It is located in the direct urban area of the City of Groningen and, in January 2019, was merged into municipality of Groningen.[3]

Haren
Hoaren (Gronings)
Town, former municipality
Monumental villa in Haren
Monumental villa in Haren
Flag of Haren
Coat of arms of Haren
Highlighted position of Haren in a municipal map of Groningen
Location in Groningen
Haren is located in Groningen (province)
Haren
Haren
Location in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands
Haren is located in Netherlands
Haren
Haren
Haren (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°10′N 6°36′E / 53.167°N 6.600°E / 53.167; 6.600
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGroningen
MunicipalityGroningen
Merged2019
Area
 • Total17.44 km2 (6.73 sq mi)
Elevation7 m (23 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total12,835
 • Density740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
DemonymHarenaar
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
9751-9751[1]
Area code050
Reformed Church of Nicolaas

Haren is a commuting town with many wealthy inhabitants. It lies on the northern part of a ridge of sand called the Hondsrug. It contains one of two dolmens in the province of Groningen (in the village of Noordlaren) and the largest botanical garden of the Netherlands called Hortus Haren. The municipality comprises a woodland area called Appèlbergen (east of the village of Glimmen) and a lake called Paterswoldsemeer [nl].

The first mention of Haren was in 1249.

On 21 September 2012, riots broke out in Haren when over 5,000 people turned up to a birthday party that was accidentally made public on Facebook. There were over 30 arrests after vandalism and looting caused over a million euros in damage.

Population centres

Map of Haren, June 2015

The town of Haren contains among others the following residential areas:

  • Hemmen
  • Maarwold
  • Molenbuurt
  • Oosterhaar
  • Stationsbuurt
  • Voorveld

Transport

In addition to Haren railway station, there are regular bus services to and from Groningen, Assen and Emmen.

Groningen Airport Eelde is nearby, albeit with a limited number of regular international flight destinations. Leisure flights to different international destinations are scheduled throughout the year.

Politics

The municipal council of Haren had 17 seats. The table below gives political party and seat counts since 1998.

Municipal council seats
Party19982002200620102014
D6621135
Common Sense Haren---23
VVD55442
CDA34322
PvdA43432
GreenLeft23422
ChristianUnion11111
Total1717171717

The last executive board consisted of VVD, PvdA and D66.

There was an election in November 2018 for the council of the newly expanded Groningen municipality that commenced work on 1 January 2019, replacing Haren council.[4]

References