The Hague has an estimated roof surface sixteen times the size of Zuiderpark, but only 35% of that space is currently used for solar panels, greenery, or water collection.
Living Lab Binckhaven is pushing to change that by turning the rooftop terrace of the Caballero Fabriek in the Binckhorst into a demonstration space for plant life.
The terrace was one of six locations participating in the Uit je Dak festival on Saturday 12 September, giving residents a closer look at what can be grown overhead.
Project leaders Kim van Loon and Bjørn Jansen launched the living lab a year ago, installing most of the greenery just before the summer. The terrace features tree planters made with 3D printers, sedum planted on cork bases, a flower garden, and discarded nitrous oxide tanks repurposed as decor.
Rooftops as urban sponges
Green rooftops absorb rainwater, dampen noise, and keep buildings significantly cooler than traditional dark surfaces, which can reach 70 to 80 degrees Celsius. Tamara from advisory group ‘t Groene Loket notes that The Hague still lags behind Amsterdam when it comes to rooftop gardens.
Her organisation works alongside the municipality to simplify subsidy applications for residents who want to install greenery on their homes. Alderwoman for outdoor space Isabelle Broeders supports the effort, arguing that urban rooftops remain heavily underutilised.
The city is also adding over 5,200 square metres of green roofs to its own property. That work covers the City Hall, the Central Library, and the Forum building.
