Gardening the Poles

Transforming 'grey' lamppost infrastructures into a micro “green” nexus, city can evolve into a healthier habitat for people, fauna and flora.

Rotterdam is home to nearly 100,000 lampposts. Yet, the city is proactively transitioning to LED technology for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Partnering with Valmont, 95% of the lampposts' steel is now recycled and powered by renewable energy, underscoring Rotterdam's dedication to sustainability. Over their 40-year lifespan, the carbon emissions throughout the lampposts' value chain are noteworthy.To counteract this, a forest as large as Kralingse Plas would be required.

Why confine lampposts to only illumination?

Why limit lampposts to just basic functions? Their potential is vast, especially in Rotterdam where adding greenery is crucial, but space for new trees is limited due to complex street usages and underground cabling. Using plants that climb and have shallow roots can turn these "grey" infrastructure into a vibrant micro green network.

By "gardening" these posts, we can cool the city, clean the air, and help manage rainwater, lowering the risk of floods, while making the city a more beautiful and healthier living environment for people, fauna and flora. Can we add a new green Kralingse Plas to the city by greening the lampposts? into vibrant community green spaces?

Rotterdammers dream big when it comes to restoring nature in the city. Yet, to reach these ambitions, we must start with humble beginnings and progressively scale up. By intertwining various localised green projects, we aim to create a robust green network. The "Gardening the Poles" project provides a perfect starting point, and it's been strategized with a dual-pronged approach.

The urban-scale studies and lampposts design toolbox will be developed to ensure its measurable impacts in terms of biodiversity, temperature, and the promotion of a healthy environment. This reservoir of knowledge and tools will be disseminated via an online platform, uniting green enthusiasts and innovators. Together, we'll exchange green ideas, heightening awareness of the vast potential embedded within our infrastructural network.