LOLA

A city without nature is an unpleasant and unliveable place to be. We need nature around us to be healthy and happy. But in cities people live furthest away from nature. Site developer AM is therefore committed to creating more nature in the city. To take this a step forward, AM is publishing the manifesto ‘Geluksvogels’ (Lucky Ones) together with LOLA Landscape Architects, containing ten principles to contribute to the national movement to make cities and villages more natural.

People who live in the nature-based city are seen by AM and LOLA as lucky: they don’t have to choose, because they live in the city and nature. The manifesto describes in ten principles how the city can be nature-based: a new way of designing, developing and financing nature in the city.

The bilingual 64-paged ‘Geluksvogels’ manifesto, designed by Off Grid studio, is both a plea and a promise to add more green, natural space to the city in all AM and LOLA projects, for example by planting more trees, opening the streets for water and planting, by mixing high and low-rise buildings with nature, and using roofs as much as possible as usable space for people, plants and animals.

In site developments it is important to look at the city through the eyes of nature, for example: how do animals use the city, what do they need? By attuning the design of the city to the needs of nature, and by allowing city residents to enjoy nature as much as possible, a better city and more happiness are created.

The Manifesto ‘Geluksvogels’ will be presented at the Rotterdam Rooftop Days on the roof of the Bijenkorf during the Rotterdam Rooftop Walk. The proceeds are donated to charities such as the IVN and the Rotterdamse Dakendagen. Visit www.geluksvogels.info for the full manifesto with all the principles (NL/EN).