The Green Village, the testing ground for sustainable innovation in the urban environment on the TU Delft Campus has been developed by the HittePlein. Here entrepreneurs and researchers work on sustainable innovations such as Rainroad, which tackle the rising temperature in the city and combat long-term drought by means of water reuse and water buffering. The new testing ground was officially opened today – on an exceptionally warm day for the time of the year – by Commissioner Adri Bom-Lemstra of the province of South Holland.

Less high temperature due to evaporation

Various innovations that can mitigate the effects of extreme heat and drought are being tested and demonstrated at HittePlein, including:

  • Bluebloqs: Bluebloqs makes rainwater available for reuse in urban areas. This innovation collects rainwater, purifies it with a biofilter and stores it. It adds storage capacity for downpours and reduces heat stress in the dry months. Bluebloqs has a beautiful appearance and is very suitable for integration at neighborhood and street level;
  • The Natuurinclusieve Schuurtje: with a green roof and rainwater collection, this shed offers space for insects, butterflies and bats and thus helps nature to regain its place in the often crowded urban environment. Placed en masse by housing corporations, for example, the Natuurinclusieve Schuurtje leads to substantially less heat stress;
  • Rainroad: a collection reservoir under the sidewalk or parking lot that temporarily stores excess rainwater during heavy showers. By letting this water evaporate during periods of heat, the temperature rises less.

Climate adaptation program for the built environment

Two years ago, the WaterStraat was opened at The Green Village, where innovations are tested to make streets and neighborhoods more resistant to extreme rainfall. This testing ground has been well attended from the start: a large number of municipalities have visited and were inspired by the innovations and made contact with the entrepreneurs and researchers. In combination with the HittePlein, The Green Village now has a physical location in which climate-adaptive solutions can be tested and improved at neighborhood, street and building level.

“Everyone sees and feels the urgency of the problem. It is therefore important to take measures so that we as a country can deal with this properly. The HittePlein makes it possible to accelerate the introduction of innovations thanks to the unique concept.” – Marjan Kreijns, director The Green Village

Innovations accelerated to the market

Director Marjan Kreijns: “Everyone sees and feels the urgency of the problem. Last summer we experienced the hottest week ever in the Netherlands and residents were urged to use water sparingly due to the extreme drought. Summer heat and periods of prolonged drought are increasing much faster than expected, and it is causing great damage. It is therefore important to take measures so that we as a country can deal with this properly. The HittePlein makes it possible to introduce innovations faster thanks to its unique concept. I call on everyone – researchers, entrepreneurs with a good idea, companies and governments – to use the HittePlein.”

Towards a circular water system in the city

Mirthe Snoek has been working at Field Factors, the company that developed Bluebloqs, from the very beginning. “By testing variants of our product in a real-life environment, we learn a lot about how it works and we can improve and validate Bluebloqs. In addition, we can use the latest scientific insights through the collaboration with researchers and students from TU Delft. In this way, we can make rainwater suitable for safe and later use, for example for fountains or to provide cooling through plants.”

Accelerated climate-adaptive building

Deputy Adri Bom-Lemstra: “A great many homes will be built in the coming years. Let’s get that right, right away. Climate-proof, so that people can not live alone, but can live healthily and safely. That is a shared responsibility; from builders, governments, designers. And it requires innovative solutions. The HittePlein will help us with this, a place where we can physically try out and show new innovative solutions. This not only yields knowledge, but I hope it also brings parties together. Together we make the difference.”

“A great many homes will be built in the coming years. Let’s get that right, right away. Climate-proof, so that people can not live alone, but can live healthily and safely.” – Adri Bom-Lemstra, Member of the Provincial Executive of South Holland