Urban Green-Blue Grids

With Christmas fast approaching, we’re entering a time of endings and new beginnings. As we are waving off a – by all standards – peculiar year, we are, alas, also saying farewell to each other and to our loyal enthusiasts. Read more: mailchi.mp/4a0ada94e4a8/n…

"Take a closer look at how an intensive, multi-layered participation approach helped the Leiden municipality tackle the challenge of frequent flooding in the Noorderkwartier-Oost neighbourhood." urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/pilots/…

Some years ago, London started working intensively to become climate-adaptive. In 2007 150 Wimbledon matches were cancelled because of heavy rain and instances of the Thames flooding. What projects did they develop? urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/urban…

The Somerset Pilot is creating a network of community co-created Sustainable Drainage Systems (#SuDS) across Somerset’s largest town, Taunton (Engeland). The pilot is led by @SomersetCouncil and @WestcountryRT. Read more: urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/pilots/… #SPONGE2020

Here is the november Sponge newsletter: mailchi.mp/7eeaddc69e5f/n…

Example Projects: Andernach has created something new with the “edible city” concept. Andernach motivates its citizens to help plant and maintain urban vegetation, for example by planting fruits and vegetables that anyone can harvest. urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/the-b…

In the ECF Urban farming project in Berlin fresh water fish (perch) is cultivated in collected rainwater in an old factory building. The advantage of this system is that it is almost a closed water cycle! Read more about this project: urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/ecf-u…

Urban green-blue grids for sustainable and cities' is a visionary, practical and inspiring book. Useful for developers, urban planners, landscape architects, ecologists, and all those interested in making cities more sustainable and liveable. bit.ly/36tYYo5

Currently the area is characterised as a functional, asphalt, public transport area. It will transform into an urban entrance with allure: a lively, functional area where you can live, work and comfortably stay. urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/pilots/…

The area around Leiden central station will undergo major changes the coming years. The municipality will collaborate with real estate owners and developers to transform the area. (1/2)

Given the large proportion of privately owned green areas in the total urban area, more than half of the urban area is privately owned, it would be advisable to develop instruments for this purpose! urbangreenbluegrids.com/measures/green…

Very nice example! #Sponge2020

Establishing partnerships between governments, businesses and local stakeholders can speed up projects and drive sustainable development as well. Following our 5 step-by-step guide can lead to successful shared value creation! urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/guide/

In times of sea-borne storms, Dordrecht is threatened by high riverwater levels. Because it lies on an island, the possibility of evacuating the city in the case of a breach in the dike is extremely limited. What did they do: urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/islan…

Private gardens greatly influence the urban micro-climate, the perceived temperature, and the control of the water mission! urbangreenbluegrids.com/measures/green…

The use of big data is becoming increasingly inportant in environmental policy-making. An effective way of presenting those data in an accesible and workable manner, is by making use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Read all about it! urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/strateg…

British, Dutch and Belgian cities are working together to involve local stakeholders in battling climate change. This is what they learned from the process. urbangreenbluegrids.com/uploads/Lesson… youtube.com/watch?v=rVbae6…

Take a closer look at how an intensive, multi-layered participation approach helped the Leiden municipality tackle the challenge of frequent flooding in the Noorderkwartier-Oost neighbourhood.urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/pilots/…

"Working on climate adaptation is often quite high-brow in nature. Learn more on how endorsement by a celebrity ambassador is an effective way of establishing a new outlook on complex themes that people do not easily relate to." urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/strateg…

Sponge2020 is an international collaboration between Dutch, British and Flemish governments. Collectively we work towards measurement that help to deal with the impacts of climate change, specially in urban areas! urbangreenbluegrids.com/sponge/about/