Model garden in climate-proof new housing development
Within the framework of the “Design Thinking for Spatial Adaptation” project, social designers Sjaak Langenberg and Rosé de Beer have designed an inspirational garden for a new housing development in Boxmeer. The “De Kwekerij” [Market Garden] garden served as an example to encourage future residents of the neighbourhood to construct green, climate-proof gardens at their new houses.
The garden was a green oasis in the middle of the construction site. It not only served as a source of inspiration, but also as a meeting place where future residents could get to know one another before moving into the neighbourhood.
All the plants in the model garden were available for adoption. Future residents could reserve plants by marking them with a card showing their name and future home address. During a festive event, the plants and trees from the inspiration garden were distributed to their new owners. Before that, the garden was open to visitors free of charge, seven days a week.
In this project, designers Langenberg and De Beer are collaborating with Nicolette Peters, a project leader from the municipality of Boxmeer. The aim was to make new residents aware of the importance of green gardens. Green gardens boost the climate resilience of the environment. Greenery has a cooling effect, allows rainwater to drain into the soil, and enhances biodiversity. The municipality of Boxmeer is pursuing a sustainable living environment; hence, it is participating in the “Design Thinking” project. This project paired local governments in the provinces of Brabant and Limburg with designers in order to adopt a fresh approach to tackling climate adaptation issues.
Sjaak Langenberg and Rosé de Beer have worked in concert with local partners: Michel Hermens of MH Hoveniers, Olieslagers Garden Centre, and Fruitpark Groenz have helped to realise the model garden. The intellectually disabled residents of the Thomashuis across the street will be watering the plants, thus also getting to know their new neighbours.
Result
According to Langenberg, residents adopted plants and expressed a desire to preserve the garden after the neighbourhood was completed. The neighbourhood was completed at the end of 2019.
Lessons to be learned
Whereas many municipalities are pursuing climate adaptation and making an effort to convince residents of its importance, the designers working on this project are attempting to avoid this term. They are emphasising the fun aspect of a green garden and the pleasure of meeting one’s future neighbours in beautiful surroundings.
Contact person
Nicolette Peters
Gemeente Boxmeer
N.Peters@boxmeer.nl