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Rotterdam goes green by swapping tiles for plants
Rotterdam is inviting residents, companies and schools to replace outdoor tiles with greenery.
Headed by Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb, city authorities pointed out that this is the fourth year of the initiative.
Residents, companies and municipal institutions exchanged more than 135,000 outdoor tiles for shrubs, trees and other greenery last year. Since the launch of the project in 2020, more than 4.3 million tiles were removed.
City authorities pointed out that collection of unwanted tiles will be free of charge in the period from 21 March to 30 October this year, noting that the service can be ordered online.
Rotterdam stressed the importance of making the city greener and more climate-resistant, pointing out that Europe experienced the warmest summer on record last year.
City authorities reminded that planting more trees in gardens and streets mitigates some negative effects of urbanisation including the heat island effect and issues with management of surface runoff, among other.
Making the city greener also improves air quality and has positive effects on biodiversity by expanding the area available to wildlife.
More than 150 Dutch local government units will compete this year to replace as many outdoor tiles with greenery and improve quality of life of their residents, with Rotterdam pointing out that Belgium will join the initiative this year for the first time.
(Photo credit: Michelle Urbiztondo / Rotterdam)
