Already more bees and butterflies
Amsterdam is getting greener. One of the places with extra greenery is the Max Planckstraat in Watergraafsmeer. Since the beginning of August, residents have managed no fewer than 50 containers with plants and fruit trees. Everyone is very happy with it.
Greener street
Two years ago, Ivan Mettrop and his neighbor Vera van de Meeberg contacted the area broker. They wanted their street to be greener. “The sidewalks are very rough here. With all that stone the street became a big oven in the summer. Greenery ensures more flowers, birds and insects in the city and is good for collecting rainwater. We have made a plan with different variants to add greenery to the street.”
Other proposal
The municipality was enthusiastic, but unfortunately there was a kink in the cable. The Max Planckstraat will have to be redesigned in a few years’ time. “That would mean that the greenery would then be picked up again immediately. Really sorry, but nothing can be done about it. Fortunately, the municipality itself came up with a different proposal and that is what these bins have become. We were able to work together in a good way.”
More connection
Since the beginning of August, the Max Planckstraat has been completely filled with green bins. Ivan Mettrop is very happy with it. “The street looks a lot cozier, you no longer see directly against the cars. The bins also provide more connection in the street, because we have all been busy. And you already see more bees and butterflies. I hear a lot of positive reactions from other people in the street.”
management group
The residents have formed a joint to manage the planters. “Especially to ensure that no waste is left in it and that it looks a bit tidy. Everyone has taken a few bins under their wing. The municipality ensures that plants receive water. Just with water from the ditch, so no tap water is used. That is a great solution.”
Beautiful green strips
The only thing the bins don’t do is collect rainwater in the soil. “It would of course be very nice if new plants and trees would eventually just be planted in the ground. And that, after the redevelopment, beautiful green areas will be created in the street in a few years’ time. In this way we can also contribute to collecting rainwater in our street.”