Turning the city’s rooftops into a second ground level, Rotterdam is mitigating tons of CO2, while adapting the city to become a resilient and attractive place to live for Rotterdammers.

In Rotterdam, colored roofs have officially become part of the city’s climate adaptation strategy. Challenges with flooding, air quality, and a lack of green space are all addressed via a multifunctional approach to the development of the roofs. And with 14.5 km2 of unused roof space above the city, the possibilities seem almost endless.

1 million m2 of multifunctional roofs by 2030

Cities100 – 2017

Four colors represent four functions: blue roofs retain water, green roofs add biodiversity, yellow roofs produce renewable energy, and red roofs add social value. This holistic approach offers valuable cross-sector co-benefits. The city aims to create 10,000 m2 of yellow roofs, generating 1.25 MW of renewable energy, and construct another 80,000 m2 of blue roofs, which can retain 2,000 m3 of water.

The challenge

WWII bombardment destroyed the center of Rotterdam in 1940, and flat roofs now dominate the reconstructed areas. Today, facing climate hazards and high urban population density, Rotterdam is using its rooftops to address its climate challenges and add value to the city.

Co-benefits

Economic Green roofs already reduce water treatment costs by $75,000 annually.

Environmental 75,000 m2 of PV panels have been installed so far, preventing roughly 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The 250,000 m2 green roofs can retain 5,000 m3 of water, alleviating flooding.

Social The so-called “lunch room” on a green rooftop has 2,000 weekly guests and uses only fresh produce cultivated on the roof.

Health The Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam has installed 5,000 m2 of green roofs and turned 3,000 m2 into gardens, improving the environment for patients.

About Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a city in the Netherlands. Its history goes back to 1270 when a dam was constructed in the Rotte river by people settled around it for safety. A major logistic and economic centre, Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and has a population of 633,471 (2017), the second-largest in the Netherlands, just behind Amsterdam. The near-complete destruction of the city centre in the World War II Rotterdam Blitz has resulted in a varied architectural landscape, including sky-scrapers, an uncommon sight in other Dutch cities.

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