Stadspark Verticaal wants radical greening in the ‘Randstad’

Petrified neighbourhoods and solid concrete characterise the image of the Randstad (the agglomeration of cities in the Netherlands). Greening is high on the policy agenda, but is slow to take off. Today, Stadspark Verticaal launched a grassroots activation, to let city residents take matters into their own hands. The campaign calls on people to help build a greener Randstad, by transforming balconies and roof terraces into green outdoor spaces, according to initiator Upperbloom in a press release.

First vertical city park in the Netherlands

The potential is amazing: in the four largest cities of the Netherlands, there are one million balconies and roof terraces. That doesn’t even include outdoor spaces of entrepreneurs, such as hotel entrances and facades. This is a starting point for a joint park and an excellent opportunity to give cities a green impulse in a quick and efficient manner. That is why Stadspark Verticaal is inviting city dwellers to jointly open up twenty km² of plants and flowers and thus form the first vertical city park in the Netherlands.

Strong together, green together

Initiator Upperbloom hopes to plant a positive seed with this campaign. “A little green does wonders. Not only for yourself, but also for your neighbours and the biodiversity in the neighbourhood,” says co-founder Sam van der Zanden. Lowering the threshold for taking action is important to the initiator. “Gardeners help everyone with free tips and tricks to make your balcony green. Online, but also via WhatsApp and in the city.”

Want to participate? You can apply here!