The week of the green garden started on Monday 3 April. One of the parts is Operation Steenbreak. And the nice thing is: you can also contribute to making The Hague a bit greener. That is very important, but why?
Not only you, but the entire neighborhood can help make the royal city greener. Edwin is project leader of green and water at Sustainable The Hague. He explains why it is so important that more plants should be planted in gardens, public spaces and streets.
The mission
Sustainable The Hague works together with the municipality. What led to Operation Steenbreak? Edwin: “Operation Steenbreak is a national project. It was also noticeable in The Hague that there are more and more tiles and less green. That is not good for humans and animals. That is why we would like to encourage people from the neighborhood to opt for more green.” 
- You can hand in a tile from your (front) garden at a fixed return point and you will receive a plant for free : the plants are biologically grown;
Heat stress
Not only does it look less cozy in a tiled city, it is also very bad for nature and people . “There are many different reasons why it is important to green the city. To start with the heat stress,” explains Edwin. “In a petrified city you suffer much more from heat stress: the heat has nowhere to go. Especially during a heat wave, the temperature can rise up to eight degrees higher than in greener districts. This creates heat stress: people sleep poorly, are less productive and it can even lead to death.”
“More tall greenery, such as trees, provides more shade, more evaporation and therefore also for more cooling.”
Flooding
More green is therefore important for the heat in the summer, but also on wet days it is important to have more plants and soil. Edwin continues: “Due to the paved streets and gardens, the fallen water has nowhere to go. It no longer sinks into the ground, so the water all flows to the sewer. If that is a lot of water, the sewer overflows and you therefore have to deal with flooding. If the water remains in one place for a long time, you will suffer from water damage and it can, for example, affect the foundations of houses.”
More biodiversity
You may not have known this yet: people also become happier with greenery and nature. Trees and other plants provide a pleasant feeling, which reduces stress. So it’s good for your mood anyway. People benefit from more greenery, but this also applies to animals. Edwin: “Biodiversity is decreasing due to the grey, tiled cities. Few animals, such as butterflies, can be found in the city. As a result, useful birds and other animals are also missing: that is part of the
“Green also provides healthier air, so it is also better for the climate.” So win-win-win! On to more green.
What can you do?
You already read it : there are therefore plenty of reasons to plant more trees and plants in the city. You also contribute, don’t you? Here’s how:
Fleur also de front of your house with a garden on the front: remove the strip from the wall to the sidewalk (one and a half tiles) and receive free plants in return;
Get on the battle with the neighbourhood: if you and your neighbors have more than 300 collects tiles to make the street or neighborhood greener, Sustainable The Hague lends a helping hand. They then provide a container where the tiles can be collected: you only have to register the promotion via the website.
Would you also like to help with your organization or school? View the possibilities on the website. The Sustainable The Hague team is happy to think along with you.
Read more under the photo >
Green Friday and Saturday
Attention residents of Scheveningen: Friday 7 April you deliver to the playing field on the Adriaan Coenenstraat between 13.00 and 013.000 put in your tiles and take a plant home. This way it will not only be a good, but also a green Friday. The same applies to residents in the vicinity of garden center Ockenburgh in The Hague on Saturday 8 April. There, too, you hand in your tiles for a beautiful plant that day. So do!
NK Tiling
And the winner is… Join us
Let it be clear: The Hague must be greener. Call up your neighbors and get to work together! Rather a green neighbor than a distant friend. Check the website for more actions by Sustainable The Hague. Go for it! 04102411
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