Delta Commissioner opens National Garden Week

‘One of the goals of the Delta Plan for the 21st century, which was presented last year on Prinsjesdag [the state opening of Parliament in September], is to render our cities and villages climate-proof. For many municipalities, flooding due to heavy rain is the most urgent climate issue. For that reason, spatial adaptation is vitally important. We need to be flexible in order to adapt to changing circumstances. We do so by taking a whole range of measures pertaining to water safety, flooding, drought and heat. For example, introducing more greenery in the cities is highly effective. And it works in a variety of ways: it reduces heat stress, improves the quality of the living environment, enhances the appeal of the city, is conducive to the fauna in the cities, it retains water and boosts the perceived value. This is not just a matter of thinking big; when implemented on a sufficient scale, “Tiles out, plants in” will have a major effect at little cost,’ Mr Kuijken commented. 

From 13 up to and including 20 June 2015, Garden Society Groei & Bloei organises the second National Garden Week, focusing on the theme of “Water in and around the garden”. This initiative is intended to enthuse more people to actively take up gardening flowers and plants. Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken, mayor Elly Blanksma and TV gardener Lodewijk Hoekstra kicked off the Garden Week to an original start. They pressed home the motto of “Tiles out, plants in” by completing a new wall garden in the Brandevoort district.