At a glance
Rotterdam in the Netherlands is vulnerable to the impacts of a worsening climate. It has been reported that many parts of the city lie seven metres below sea level and thus is prone to flooding risks from the sea and surrounding rivers.
In 1940, the city was obliterated by aerial bombardment during the German invasion of the Netherlands and throughout the Second World War, subsequently having to undergo rigorous reconstruction, not always to the most sustainable of standards.
Fast forward to 2024, through a coalition of policymakers, city planners, architects, designers, businesses and communities, Rotterdam is making a name for itself on the global stage as a leader in climate adaptive urbanism.
As a member of the C40 Cities initiative, Rotterdam leads the Connecting Delta Cities Network which brings together delta cities to address sea-level rise, discuss coastal flooding and water management issues and exchange knowledge and best practice to support cities in implementing solutions.
In May, I was invited by Rotterdam Partners to learn about how the Dutch municipality and its partners are working to regenerate the city and adapt to climate risks through the seven city projects and beyond.
This article provides an overview of my learnings, thoughts and highlights from my trip. You will find a collection of photographs showing how the city will look in the future, as well as tokens of my own memories.
Lessons from Rotterdam’s climate adaptation: A model for sustainable urban development
Rijnhaven – Making ports great again
Rijnhaven, one of Rotterdam’s oldest ports, is being transformed into a bustling, sustainable urban area. With plans for 3,000 homes, skyscrapers, shops, and a floating office, Rijnhaven is setting a high standard for future developments. The area will include an 18-hectare park and a 3-hectare floating jetty, designed to collect water and prevent heat stress. Impressively, 50% of the residential units will be affordable, ensuring inclusivity. I really praise this element of the project, underlining the importance of social issues within climate adaptive efforts too.
It was brilliant to hear from programme manager Peter Spakman and urban planner Emiel Arends running us through the project from start to completion. We also touched on how the city will need to adapt again in 2070 and 2100, Arends assured that all future scenarios are accounted for.
Floating Office Rotterdam – My dream workspace
The Floating Office Rotterdam (FOR), designed by Powerhouse Company, is home to the Global Centre on Adaptation. This off-grid, carbon-neutral building showcases cutting-edge sustainable design, with its solar energy source and water-based heat-exchange system. The floating structure adapts to the tides, providing an ever-changing view, and is made of sustainably sourced German pinewood. FOR is a testament to the potential of floating architecture in urban environments. The office has a BREEAM Outstanding Sustainability certification – the highest level of certification in the world and the PV panels supply 109% of the annual energy required to run the building. I loved walking around this building, they also have a cute bar and restaurant called Putaine in case you are visiting.
Fenix Museum – Spotlights stories of migration
On our rainy afternoon stroll, we got to stop to admire the space which will be home to the Fenix Museum which will highlight the harsh and gritty realities of migration. Opening in 2025, the Fenix Museum will tell stories of global migration through art, including a suitcase maze. Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, this museum will feature green roof thermal heating and reused materials.
Hofbogenpark – The longest roof park in the Netherlands
Imagine New York’s High Line but in Rotterdam. Hofbogenpark, set to be the longest roof park in the Netherlands, exemplifies bio-inclusive design. Spanning 2 km and connecting four neighbourhoods, this park will support native vegetation and effective rainwater management, enhancing biodiversity. It promises to be an accessible and inclusive space, complete with sound installations and recycled blue carpets to guide visitors. In some areas, sensors are going to be used to predict rainfall. Developers are hoping that this project in particular will have a halo effect to encourage commerce and community in every part it touches. During the week we visited, the community was busy setting up for a rooftop festival.
BlueCity – Repurposing water in a derelict swimming pool
BlueCity, housed in a former public swimming pool, is a hub for circular economy entrepreneurs. The Circular Water Project, initiated here, efficiently recycles water and extracts valuable materials like compost and fertilizers. We got to take a sneak peak behind the scenes to look at the process and machinery that helps to make this happen. This project demonstrates how cities can turn waste into resources, contributing to water neutrality and sustainable urban living. Peter Scheer, who showed us around and detailed the project, also works with SEMiLLA Sanitation Hubs which produces off-grid working modular solutions including sanitation, wastewater treatment systems, and food production facilities.
Atelier Van Lieshout – Statues aplenty
Atelier Van Lieshout is a studio founded by sculptor Joep van Lieshout, known for projects that blend design and non-functional art. Before lunch, we wandered through the studio’s garden which featured sculptures and installations that explore themes of systems, power, and sustainability
Voedseltuin Rotterdam – We need more food gardens like this
The Voedseltuin Rotterdam is a food garden producing healthy fruits and vegetables for the city’s Food Bank and other social projects. Too often, food banks can only provide canned foods so this is super important to help those in need access fresh produce. The garden also serves as an employment project for those distanced from the labour market. The garden emphasizes social, individual, cultural, and ecological values, making it a vital community hub.
De Urbanisten – Climate-Sensitive urban design
A talk from Dirk Van Peijpe of De Urbanisten highlighted the importance of merging water storage with public spaces. Rotterdam’s water squares, for example, are a model now being used in cities like Copenhagen. The transformation into a ‘sponge city’ aims to make the urban environment more resilient to climate change.
Keilehaven Tidal Park – Making ripples
We also got to see the future Keilehaven Tidal Park with Dirk Van Peijpe which will transform into a green public space and natural estuary system. This project aims to create conditions for wildlife to thrive, fostering a circle of life where fish attract birds, enhancing urban biodiversity.
Seven City Projects – Creating the green lungs of Rotterdam
It was a pleasure to spend time with Rotterdam’s Vice Mayors, Chantal Zeegers and Vincent Karremans, who outlined the city’s seven major projects aimed at creating green public spaces. These ‘green lungs’ will offer areas for recreation, exercise, and socialising, while also addressing climate resilience. From the bustling Alexanderplein to the tranquil Rijnhavenpark, these projects will ensure every resident has access to green spaces within a 15-minute walk, enhancing the city’s liveability.
I love that these projects have are united by the green city axis with 3 important pillars:
- Iconic imagery
- Integral approach: looking at the combined economy, construction, traffic, climate, social cohesion, employment, culture and health
- Broad exposure of each project to nearby districts and the city as a whole
Natural History Museum – Urban nature as a National Park
This was one of my favourite parts of the trip. Niels de Zwarte, Head of Rotterdam Urban Ecology showed us around the Museum’s exhibition on the National Park Rotterdam, showcasing how urban nature can be integrated into city life. The museum highlights the resilience of plants and animals in urban settings and promotes biodiversity. Rotterdam’s goal is to maximise biodiversity in all city developments, making the city more nature-inclusive. I was not expecting to see so many taxidermies lining the halls and inside the rooms.
Rebel Flora & Fauna – Making the business case for nature
Mark Bode, Founder of Rebel Flora & Fauna, discussed the economic impact of ecological measures. By improving biodiversity and climate adaptation, these measures can lead to monetizable benefits that outweigh the costs. Rotterdam is exploring new business models to fund ecological restoration, demonstrating the financial viability of sustainability. The Rebel team have worked with both the public and private sector including the likes of CBRE and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in the Netherlands as well as various municipalities. I think we need more people like Mark and his team to push forward the field of ‘economology’!
SAWA: A Circular Wooden Building
Last but by no means least, over sandwiches and coffee we heard from Robert Winkel and Mark Compeer, developers at NICE and founder of mei Architects to learn about the SAWA project. This circular wooden building, aimed to be one of the healthiest in the Netherlands, is constructed entirely of cross-laminated timber. SAWA is set to be energy-neutral, using solar panels and sustainable district heating. Like other developments being undertaken across the city, there is a focus on offering affordable housing, making sustainable living accessible to all income groups. The apartments are modular and can be purchased in a way that would allow you to buy two and sell one, if you wanted to downsize. I loved donning my high vis and protective gear to walk around the development.
Final thoughts
Each time I visit the Netherlands, I am struck by how proactive, progressive, resourceful and collaborative the people are when thinking about how best to tackle climate challenges. My trip to Rotterdam only solidified that further. We have so much to learn from city communities like this.
Watch my vlog on the trip here.
A very special thank you to Kim Heinen, the team at Rotterdam Partners and all of the brilliant people who lent their time to share their expertise with us. I look forward to my next visit, immersing myself in the city’s nature that is currently growing and tracing the progress across the several projects.
You can read more of my work on enhancing climate resilience for cities below for Reuters Events Sustainable Business.
–How AI is arming cities in the battle for climate resilience
–People over parking: The US cities that are reclaiming their streets
Here’s an old piece from the S&S archives covering sustainable cities and the built environment.
