Cities in the Northern Netherlands actively stimulate their residents to start community vegetable plots. City gardens counteract the effect of bricks and tiles (and the associated heat stress and flooding), contribute to a pleasant living climate and raise awareness of and involve people in climate adaptation. About seventy community garden initiatives are active in Groningen, and about forty in Leeuwarden. …

A triple helix approach was used, with governmental agencies, knowledge institutions and companies collaborating. The consequences of heavy rainfall and high temperatures in various cities and provinces in the Northern Netherlands were visualised. Possible solutions to problems at specific locations were also proposed and analysed. The results and experience gained were subsequently disseminated to governmental agencies and other stakeholders through …

Groningen municipality organises sessions to encourage green facades as part of its climate policy. The municipality and major employers in the city of Groningen commit themselves to making building facades in the city greener. Brick and concrete walls are transformed into green vertical gardens. These provide more green in the city, contributing to cleaner air and less heat stress and …

The Groningen municipality will initiate a green compensation scheme starting 1 September 2017. The essence of the scheme is that new trees must replace any that are cut down, preferably close to the original location. This is intended to prevent the endangering of important green structures and ensure the existing amount of green is retained. If direct green compensation isn’t …

Facade gardens exist on the border of private property and public space. The municipality of Groningen will install facade gardens in streets where residents express an interest. Operation Stone Crusher provides the plants in exchange for a coffee and press event. The municipality supports the project with materials, technical knowledge and expertise.

The oft-unused spaces on top of city roofs can be transformed into vibrant, verdant gardens. A green roof retains water, filters particulate matter and offers space for butterflies, birds and insects. A green roof contributes to a cool house in the summer and ensures lower energy use during winter. Considering the large total roof surface area, green roofs can contribute …

These days many people have their outdoor areas paved. Paving over gardens leads to an increase in the ‘heat island effect’, less biodiversity, more flooding and air pollution. In order to raise awareness of the advantages of a green garden, the largest cities in the Northern Netherlands, Groningen and Leeuwarden, have joined Operation Stone Crusher. Residents are encouraged to make …

There is a good relationship with the UN World Health Organisation concerning (research into) infectious diseases. The Northern Netherlands are active at a global level on issues relating to a changing climate and the associated effects in this area as well. UMCG and the University of Groningen are carrying out research on the development of innovative products and technologies to …

The Northern Netherlands take an integral approach to climate adaptation. We regard the physical environment, health and behaviour as intersecting factors reinforcing one another. Healthy Ageing (a healthy life) has been a priority in the Northern Netherlands for many years now. Since 2009, knowledge institutions, northern governmental agencies and businesses have been collaborating in the Healthy Ageing Network Northern Netherlands …