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| Creativity is needed when space is scarce |
Oke. Let’s start this research on green in
the city in The Netherlands. The country I’ve lived most of my life and in
which I have some connections in the field.
Holland is known for its organized structure.
This tradition dates a long way back to the period in which water management
was started to guarantee the Dutch dry feet. Thanks to centuries of experience
the country now has quite a clear tax system, takes care of the young the old
and the in between and seems to be able to win economic importance in the fight
with the big ones. The Dutch are a lucky nation not having to worry about anything.
But as all happy people they have found
something to complain about. The country is too organized, governments is to
bureaucratic, things are too slow. So they started to look for ways to obviate
the laws and initiated the things which lacked in their happy lives.
Some years ago the Dutch realized they missed
green in their cities and decided to make a change. Left over places in the
city - which are ample thanks to/ caused by the current economic crisis – were
squattered (also a famous Dutch tradition). In a country as small as the
Netherlands, we cannot leave too much space unplanned. So seeds were spread,
plants were planted and nature did the rest. Well almost.
It took a few years but now the governments
and (big) companies have realized that these Dutch rebels made a point. Next to
the economic crisis, causing many people to find it harder to fill their
plates, we are heading for a social, a climate and a food crisis. And this
spontaneous urban farming on places which were no use before seems to be the
solution for it all!
All these ideas broad-up and executed by
brave citizens have shaken our local governments awake. Thanks to their efforts
many cities now offer subsidies to make green roofs, not only good for
insulation and water intake but also for our hungry stomachs. It even might be
used as a way of city marketing.
Individuals have developed themselves in
specialists dealing
with roof gardening. Artists have created greener, healthier and more social neighborhoods. Multinationals have spent their money. Ideologists have realized their dream.
Now food is hip. Or a hype. I don’t know (yet). At least more and more people realize that it
is not really hard to grow your own food. And that it is important to know
where your food comes from, how it is produced and so on. Many brave citizens
have followed the rebels. And the government did.
Could this happen in other countries too? You
will read it next week.
Next week on Food in the Streets facebook page many examples of Dutch’ with green thumbs.
