Knowledge Mile Park in The Netherlands

Knowledge Mile Park in The Netherlands
A major aim of Knowledge Mile is to reduce air pollution

A mile-long park is being constructed along a highly polluted street in Amsterdam, incorporating multiple nature-based solutions. The project was launched in 2015 by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and is being created through collaboration of 100 companies, 30 thousand residents and 60 thousand students.

The Knowledge Mile will include two parks, 1600 square metres of green roof, and green walls and vegetated areas designed for improving water drainage. Hundreds of cars drive down the street every day, so a major aim of the park is to reduce air pollution by growing vegetation. The greening process of the Mile is being monitored by applied mathematics students from the university. Other students have installed ‘smart beehives’ on rooftops, for plant pollination and to provide honey. Meanwhile, the Amsterdam Fashion Institute has grown environmentally friendly dyes in a rooftop garden, whilst a reservoir on an office block roof collects rainwater for brewing beer. Overall, the project is trialing a number of innovative initiatives that engage the local community whilst providing benefits like reduced air pollution, and food and water provisioning.