Urban densification cannot exist without greening. De Groene Kaap is a prime example of large-scale inner-city housing development where maximum effort has been made for nature inclusivity. In doing so, De Groene Kaap combines extreme greening with a unique experience in Katendrecht. Landscape architect Eric-Jan Pleijster (LOLA landscape architects) brought his vision to life in this project. With great enthusiasm, he explains the underlying ideas, the green connections, and the lessons learned along the way. Download the full interview alongside this article.
A Green Urban Mountain Walk in Katendrecht
At De Groene Kaap, you feel as though you’re walking on solid ground—even though all the greenery is on rooftops. “This requires extreme greening, not just small touches to make the project look nice,” says Eric-Jan. “The greenery is lush, abundant, and everywhere. It is open to the public and offers the city a walking route. A circular path leads you up from street level via stairs and gardens. Just like a mountain hike, you pass through different landscapes at different heights: wooded at the bottom, more open higher up. You experience those transitions.”
De Groene Kaap is part of a larger green zone in the Maashaven. It is open to the public, but also home to residents. “Two worlds—private and public—had to be connected while also kept apart. For this, we designed a clear main path, guided by a turquoise blue ribbon. In addition, the greenery was designed so that residents enjoy plenty of private green space while passersby don’t directly overlook their terraces.” Public access proved a challenge in practice, where a caretaker and camera system help provide solutions.
Water for the Future
When designing De Groene Kaap, biodiversity and landscape experience were the main focus. In the future, however, water management will play a far greater role. Eric-Jan explains: “It’s becoming increasingly important for a garden to provide for its own water needs and for planting schemes to be aligned with that. With climate change, we face longer and more frequent droughts. Drinking water is too precious for irrigation. That’s why it’s vital to capture and retain the rainfall of autumn and winter.”
Other innovations, such as smart meters that allow planting schemes to be fine-tuned to physical conditions or biodiversity to be monitored, fit seamlessly into Eric-Jan’s future vision and mission: engaging people with nature.
