Reconnecting with nature
The Common Garden
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In the heart of Rotterdam, students are transforming an underused square into a vibrant biodiverse garden that fights urban heat, absorbs rainwater, and creates a peaceful green space for all. This student-led initiative reimagines public space, proving that grassroots action can drive real change. In collaboration with the municipality and local community, the project fosters climate resilience while inspiring a wilder, greener future for the city.
Netherlands
Local
Rotterdam
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Prototype level
No
No
As an individual partnership with other persons/organisation(s)
The Erasmus University College (EUC) campus is located in the heavily tiled city center of Rotterdam. Next to our campus is a square that, on most days, is barely used except for the occasional pedestrian passing through. It is a large space bordered by two strips of grass and a few trees, making it the perfect spot for a garden. Two years ago, a group of students and staff from a diverse range of backgrounds started developing an idea to transform this square into a garden that would boost biodiversity, mitigate heat and water stress, and improve the climate resilience of the area. Since then, we have presented the idea to the municipality, who are enthusiastically requesting funding for this project. The municipality will fund the renovation of the space, and the EUC community will collaborate with them to maintain the space over the years. EUC does not own the building nor the space next to it, meaning that the square fell outside of the scope of the Green Campus plan. This project shows how, even though we may not have direct control over a space, with enough collaboration and persistence, we can still create real transformative change.
Climate Resilience
Student-Led Initiative
Urban Greening
Community Engagement
BIodiversity
The key objective of this project was to transform a tiled square into a biodiverse garden. As students who study in the building looking down on the square, we saw how little the space was used. We also realised how much potential it had as a recluse for both humans and more-than-humans. Greening the space has many positive effects: there is more space for wildlife, water can flow into the ground instead of the sewage, heat reduction in the area, and it serves as a recluse for students, residents and people making use of the nearby restaurants and shops. Rotterdam’s city center is heavily tiled so this green space will be unique in the area. This is an initiative that started from students, but now involves many stakeholders in our community such as the business community, resident community, university and municipality.
Rooted in the locality of the site, the design of centers around biodiversity and climate resilience, while creating a space for gathering and contemplation.
The integration of social and environmental concerns is explored through creating small outdoor rooms for seating that are immersed in the garden. This allows for moments of privacy for students in between classes or people to come together. Creating screens of privacy through plants can generate a sense of being surrounded by nature, while being in the city center.
The site is below ground level, surrounded by downward slopes. In the context of the Netherlands, with sealevel and flooding of concern, the design embraces the water runoff and was inferred by water absorption and drainage. Channeling the water runoff into the planting beds allows the garden to act like a sponge. Another component is maximising the removal of excessive hard surfaces, support a rich variety of plant life while mitigating the risk of flooding.
which allows water to replenish the ground and encourages biodiversity.
The integration of social and environmental concerns is explored through creating small outdoor rooms for seating that are immersed in the garden. This allows for moments of privacy for students in between classes or people to come together. Creating screens of privacy through plants can generate a sense of being surrounded by nature, while being in the city center.
The site is below ground level, surrounded by downward slopes. In the context of the Netherlands, with sealevel and flooding of concern, the design embraces the water runoff and was inferred by water absorption and drainage. Channeling the water runoff into the planting beds allows the garden to act like a sponge. Another component is maximising the removal of excessive hard surfaces, support a rich variety of plant life while mitigating the risk of flooding.
which allows water to replenish the ground and encourages biodiversity.
Inclusion was a key consideration in the design process. The square in its current state failed to be inclusive to wildlife and is uninviting to people as well. One of the sole functions of the current square is walking across to get to the other side. We wanted to make sure this function was maintained in the design and additionally, made sure all paths are wheel-chair accessible.
In terms of the location of the square, it is open to everyone who visits the city center. The square borders the monument in which EUC is housed and is a public space, open to everyone. When we discussed our idea with the business community of the area, they explained that they had been requesting more green and more seating-opportunities in the area so that people would feel more like spending time in the area.
A wide range of people were consulted while developing this project: landscape architects, urban ecologists, biologists, restaurateurs, shop-keepers, students, residents, city planners, city management and city gardeners. Each had their own point of view on the project and each of their voices can be read in the details of the project. For example, when visiting the square with someone from city management, a discussion about drainage points led to their current location in the design.
Affordability was also a key consideration in the design of the square. The design focuses on the removal of parts of the tiling, rather than taking everything out. Some of the original tiles are kept in place to serve as pathways through the garden. The planting plan keeps weekly student maintenance and half-yearly municipal maintenance in mind. Gardening moments will be open to residents of the area but will be organized from the study-association of the university. The main cost of the project is the renovation itself, after which costs can be kept low as a result of the enthusiastic involvement of the community.
In terms of the location of the square, it is open to everyone who visits the city center. The square borders the monument in which EUC is housed and is a public space, open to everyone. When we discussed our idea with the business community of the area, they explained that they had been requesting more green and more seating-opportunities in the area so that people would feel more like spending time in the area.
A wide range of people were consulted while developing this project: landscape architects, urban ecologists, biologists, restaurateurs, shop-keepers, students, residents, city planners, city management and city gardeners. Each had their own point of view on the project and each of their voices can be read in the details of the project. For example, when visiting the square with someone from city management, a discussion about drainage points led to their current location in the design.
Affordability was also a key consideration in the design of the square. The design focuses on the removal of parts of the tiling, rather than taking everything out. Some of the original tiles are kept in place to serve as pathways through the garden. The planting plan keeps weekly student maintenance and half-yearly municipal maintenance in mind. Gardening moments will be open to residents of the area but will be organized from the study-association of the university. The main cost of the project is the renovation itself, after which costs can be kept low as a result of the enthusiastic involvement of the community.
The primary beneficiaries of this project are the students and staff of EUC, along with the local community and wider public who use the space. Transforming this underutilized, paved area into a green, biodiverse garden will create a healthier and more inviting environment for relaxation, study, and social interaction. It will also enhance climate resilience and support urban greening efforts by providing shade, improving air quality, and managing water runoff.
As a student-led initiative, we have been involved in every stage—from conceptualizing the idea and conducting site analysis to engaging with stakeholders and advocating for municipal support. Our hands-on participation ensures that the design meets the needs of students and local residents while promoting a culture of sustainability. This process highlights how grassroots initiatives can successfully drive urban transformation.
The local business community (MaHO) has also contributed through discussions where we gathered feedback and explored the project's impact on the neighborhood. These conversations helped shape a collaborative approach that balances environmental goals with local interests.
The Gemeente (municipality) of Rotterdam has played a key role in the project’s development. Since the square is public space, it falls under their jurisdiction rather than the university’s. Our initial presentation led to an ongoing dialogue, requiring us to submit multiple documents in line with urban planning guidelines. This process included refining the design, specifying planting beds and materials, and creating a detailed planting plan to ensure ecological benefits. As of now, we have submitted all required documents and are awaiting further updates on the project's construction timeline.
Finally, EUC has provided institutional backing, supporting long-term involvement. While the university does not own the land, its commitment to sustainability and student engagement has helped propel the project forward.
As a student-led initiative, we have been involved in every stage—from conceptualizing the idea and conducting site analysis to engaging with stakeholders and advocating for municipal support. Our hands-on participation ensures that the design meets the needs of students and local residents while promoting a culture of sustainability. This process highlights how grassroots initiatives can successfully drive urban transformation.
The local business community (MaHO) has also contributed through discussions where we gathered feedback and explored the project's impact on the neighborhood. These conversations helped shape a collaborative approach that balances environmental goals with local interests.
The Gemeente (municipality) of Rotterdam has played a key role in the project’s development. Since the square is public space, it falls under their jurisdiction rather than the university’s. Our initial presentation led to an ongoing dialogue, requiring us to submit multiple documents in line with urban planning guidelines. This process included refining the design, specifying planting beds and materials, and creating a detailed planting plan to ensure ecological benefits. As of now, we have submitted all required documents and are awaiting further updates on the project's construction timeline.
Finally, EUC has provided institutional backing, supporting long-term involvement. While the university does not own the land, its commitment to sustainability and student engagement has helped propel the project forward.
The project engaged with stakeholders at increasingly more macro levels as the plans were developed. At first it started as a brainstorm between students. Professors were then involved to give valuable advice. We then presented the idea to the management of EUC who were ready to give us their support. After working on a project proposal for several months, we presented the garden to the municipal planners in charge of the city center. They helped put us in contact with the business and the neighbour communities of the area who were also enthusiastic about the idea.
What stood out to us each time we presented the idea to others familiar with the area was that they had already been thinking along similar lines about repurposing the square. There are many people in the area who think the square should be used for much more than it currently is. It was great to hear about their visions for the future of the square (as well as their concerns) and to be able to develop an idea that we feel really represents the community.
The people we are in contact with from the municipality have been unwavering in their support for the project and have been helping us get through the bureaucratic obstacles that will take this project from an idea to reality.
What stood out to us each time we presented the idea to others familiar with the area was that they had already been thinking along similar lines about repurposing the square. There are many people in the area who think the square should be used for much more than it currently is. It was great to hear about their visions for the future of the square (as well as their concerns) and to be able to develop an idea that we feel really represents the community.
The people we are in contact with from the municipality have been unwavering in their support for the project and have been helping us get through the bureaucratic obstacles that will take this project from an idea to reality.
At the core of the project was landscape architecture, which is a very multidisciplinary, integrating knowledge from urban planning, environmental science, and sociology to create resilient and people-centered outdoor spaces. Emma Kibel is studying a double degree in Sustainablity and Spatial design and these two disciplines were very present in the design process. After a student-led surveying and site analysis, she consulted Tarna Klitzner, a Landscape Architect who provided feedback for the sketch design process, and spatial planning, ensuring that the project responded effectively to both ecological and social needs.
Plant biology and ecology played a crucial role in shaping the planting plan. By selecting diverse, climate-adaptive species, the design aimed to enhance biodiversity, support pollinators, and improve soil health. This ecological approach ensured that the garden would thrive within the urban environment while contributing to local green infrastructure.
The project was also informed by climate resilience research, particularly insights from Rotterdam’s Weerwoord initiative. This research highlighted the growing challenges of urban heat stress and water management, reinforcing the necessity of transforming the square into a sponge garden—a landscape designed to absorb and retain rainwater. By embracing water runoff, the design mitigates flooding while creating a thriving ecosystem.
The nature of this project, being initiated by students, also brought in a unique and valuable form of local knowledge—the lived experience of those who see and use the space daily. As members of the EUC community, students and staff had firsthand insight into how the square functioned (or failed to function) in its current state. This place-based knowledge allowed the design process to be more responsive to the actual needs of its users, ensuring that the space was not only ecologically resilient but also socially meaningful.
Plant biology and ecology played a crucial role in shaping the planting plan. By selecting diverse, climate-adaptive species, the design aimed to enhance biodiversity, support pollinators, and improve soil health. This ecological approach ensured that the garden would thrive within the urban environment while contributing to local green infrastructure.
The project was also informed by climate resilience research, particularly insights from Rotterdam’s Weerwoord initiative. This research highlighted the growing challenges of urban heat stress and water management, reinforcing the necessity of transforming the square into a sponge garden—a landscape designed to absorb and retain rainwater. By embracing water runoff, the design mitigates flooding while creating a thriving ecosystem.
The nature of this project, being initiated by students, also brought in a unique and valuable form of local knowledge—the lived experience of those who see and use the space daily. As members of the EUC community, students and staff had firsthand insight into how the square functioned (or failed to function) in its current state. This place-based knowledge allowed the design process to be more responsive to the actual needs of its users, ensuring that the space was not only ecologically resilient but also socially meaningful.
The innovative character of this project lies in its student-led, bottom-up approach, which sets it apart from mainstream urban development initiatives. Unlike typical municipal projects that are top-down and institutionally driven, this transformation was initiated by students and staff who recognized the potential of an underutilized space and took action. By engaging directly with the municipality, the EUC students demonstrated how grassroots efforts can influence urban planning and advocate for greener, more climate-resilient environments.
The planting plan embraces a wilder and more biodiverse approach than what is typically seen in Rotterdam’s urban spaces. While the municipality is gradually shifting towards a more biodiverse and ‘wild’ street aesthetic, it is still not the norm.Mainstream landscaping in the city often favors neatly trimmed greenery and limited plant variety, whereas this project introduces a richer, more ecologically dynamic planting scheme. By prioritizing native and climate-adaptive species, the garden fosters greater biodiversity and resilience, setting an example for future green infrastructure.
The planting plan embraces a wilder and more biodiverse approach than what is typically seen in Rotterdam’s urban spaces. While the municipality is gradually shifting towards a more biodiverse and ‘wild’ street aesthetic, it is still not the norm.Mainstream landscaping in the city often favors neatly trimmed greenery and limited plant variety, whereas this project introduces a richer, more ecologically dynamic planting scheme. By prioritizing native and climate-adaptive species, the garden fosters greater biodiversity and resilience, setting an example for future green infrastructure.
If we had to describe our approach to this project in one word, it would be persistence. The idea arose in early 2023 when we pitched to EUC management, urging them to transform the underutilized, tiled square next to the building. However, as renters, they explained that the space was public property, falling outside their influence.
Undeterred, we submitted a request through the municipality’s website, explaining our vision for a green transformation. We never expected a response, but weeks later, a city planner called, asking about our plan. That conversation kickstarted the project. Over the next few months, we collaborated with students, professors, landscape architects, urban ecologists, biologists, and EUC management to refine our vision and build support. When we presented our detailed proposal to the city planners, they were impressed and pledged their support in making it a reality.
Now in 2025, the project is still moving through municipal departments, but our engagement with the municipality remains strong. We have held numerous meetings with stakeholders, each contributing insights and adjustments, leading to a realistic and actionable plan.
We have pursued this project entirely voluntarily, balancing it alongside full-time studies and part-time jobs. It has required long nights, relentless follow-ups, and unwavering dedication to keep momentum. Getting more people on board and securing ongoing support has been essential to ensuring its future.
Even now, persistence remains key. We are focused on long-term sustainability and are prepared to commit further to maintaining this space for years to come—a commitment we are more than happy to make.
Undeterred, we submitted a request through the municipality’s website, explaining our vision for a green transformation. We never expected a response, but weeks later, a city planner called, asking about our plan. That conversation kickstarted the project. Over the next few months, we collaborated with students, professors, landscape architects, urban ecologists, biologists, and EUC management to refine our vision and build support. When we presented our detailed proposal to the city planners, they were impressed and pledged their support in making it a reality.
Now in 2025, the project is still moving through municipal departments, but our engagement with the municipality remains strong. We have held numerous meetings with stakeholders, each contributing insights and adjustments, leading to a realistic and actionable plan.
We have pursued this project entirely voluntarily, balancing it alongside full-time studies and part-time jobs. It has required long nights, relentless follow-ups, and unwavering dedication to keep momentum. Getting more people on board and securing ongoing support has been essential to ensuring its future.
Even now, persistence remains key. We are focused on long-term sustainability and are prepared to commit further to maintaining this space for years to come—a commitment we are more than happy to make.
Through this project, we learned valuable lessons across many areas. One of the most empowering and replicable aspects is that anyone can submit a request to the Gemeente to transform an underutilized public space. This shows that similar projects can be initiated by students, community members, or organizations elsewhere, as long as they are willing to engage with local authorities and advocate for change. The concept of biodiverse, climate-resilient gardens is highly transferable and could be adapted to different urban environments facing similar environmental challenges.
However, a bottom-up approach requires persistence. Driving meaningful change in public space demanded continuous effort, patience, and advocacy. While rewarding, it was difficult to sustain over time. Looking back, involving a larger group from the start would have distributed the workload, reduced stress, and made the process more manageable.
Looking back on the process, there are key lessons to consider for future replication. One of the biggest challenges was the nature of our work being unpaid. While professors and stakeholders appreciated our efforts, the lack of financial support made it difficult to balance studies, part-time jobs, and project responsibilities. Though we were never motivated by money, the absence of formal recognition from the municipality affected the sustainability of our involvement. The Gemeente stated that while they could fund construction, they could not allocate funding for our work. This experience taught us the importance of establishing a work contract upfront, especially for bottom-up initiatives, to ensure fair compensation and recognition.
Future initiatives can learn from both our successes and challenges—by leveraging local government support, ensuring financial sustainability, and involving a broader team to maintain momentum and drive lasting change.
However, a bottom-up approach requires persistence. Driving meaningful change in public space demanded continuous effort, patience, and advocacy. While rewarding, it was difficult to sustain over time. Looking back, involving a larger group from the start would have distributed the workload, reduced stress, and made the process more manageable.
Looking back on the process, there are key lessons to consider for future replication. One of the biggest challenges was the nature of our work being unpaid. While professors and stakeholders appreciated our efforts, the lack of financial support made it difficult to balance studies, part-time jobs, and project responsibilities. Though we were never motivated by money, the absence of formal recognition from the municipality affected the sustainability of our involvement. The Gemeente stated that while they could fund construction, they could not allocate funding for our work. This experience taught us the importance of establishing a work contract upfront, especially for bottom-up initiatives, to ensure fair compensation and recognition.
Future initiatives can learn from both our successes and challenges—by leveraging local government support, ensuring financial sustainability, and involving a broader team to maintain momentum and drive lasting change.
We both study Sustainability at EUC and have many lectures about the state of the climate and biodiversity crises. Learning about topics like these often feels overwhelming, especially because it feels like nothing you do will ever be enough. However, we both believe you must still always try to incite change where you do have influence. Working on this project to transform the square in our university neighbourhood gave us something tangible to keep applying ourselves to. Transforming this square touches on so many global issues such as biodiversity, heat-island, water management, climate resilience, and nature contact. This project by no means has the capacity to solve any of these global challenges, but is a real, tangible, local response to what we have learned. We strongly believe in the value of these projects because, even on a small scale, the combined ideas create something greater than the sum of their parts.
The next steps for implementing the project focus on ensuring its long-term success and sustainability. We have now submitted all the documents from our side for the construction of the garden to take place. In the coming year, we hope that the renovation of the square will begin.
To maintain the space effectively, we have planned the establishment of a dedicated maintenance group composed of students and local residents. This will foster a sense of shared responsibility while ensuring that the garden remains a healthy and well-cared-for environment over time. Engaging both the EUC community and neighbourhood residents will also strengthen community ties and promote awareness of urban greening efforts.
If we received this award, we would use the money towards the longevity and maintenance of the project alongside compensating the past unpaid labour. Beyond the initial renovation, financial support will be necessary to cover ongoing maintenance, improvements, and educational initiatives related to the space. While much of the work was driven by passion and commitment, recognizing and addressing the unpaid labor that went into the project will help set a precedent for fair compensation in future grassroots sustainability initiatives.
To maintain the space effectively, we have planned the establishment of a dedicated maintenance group composed of students and local residents. This will foster a sense of shared responsibility while ensuring that the garden remains a healthy and well-cared-for environment over time. Engaging both the EUC community and neighbourhood residents will also strengthen community ties and promote awareness of urban greening efforts.
If we received this award, we would use the money towards the longevity and maintenance of the project alongside compensating the past unpaid labour. Beyond the initial renovation, financial support will be necessary to cover ongoing maintenance, improvements, and educational initiatives related to the space. While much of the work was driven by passion and commitment, recognizing and addressing the unpaid labor that went into the project will help set a precedent for fair compensation in future grassroots sustainability initiatives.
