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Moving towards a greener Dordrecht
Since 2023, Advier, together with the municipality of Dordrecht, Bende, Iventors and Marco Stout, has been working on creating a walking forest through the streets of Dordrecht. Parts of the city will be temporarily transformed into a lively and green landscape, which will serve as an inspiring starting point for conversations about public space design. With the help of the residents, the project team ensures that ’the walk’ leaves a lasting impression of greener, more beautiful and livelier streets.
An excellent example of this can be seen at the Bagijnhof in the centre of Dordrecht, where trees were planted on former parking lots during the first pilot. By connecting these to existing maintenance plans, the impact is increased. In many locations, extra trees have even been added in the redesigns. Check www.bewegendbos.nl for http://www.bewegendbos.nl/more information about the places that have already been visited.
Our approach aims to create mutual understanding between government and society and increase awareness of the value of the immediate living environment. We invite residents to experience that their street is more than just a row of parking spaces; it is a place where greenery and encounters are central.
"To achieve a green and vibrant city, we make choices together."
After the successful first year, the project expanded further. The experience of the walking forest has now been enhanced with a picnic table that moves with it and by organising neighbourhood activities that promote meetings and interaction. Residents indicate that since the arrival of the forest, they have had more contact with each other and feel more involved in their neighbourhood.
Heat measurements are being carried out to map the impact better, and a sensor has been developed that measures both temperature and air quality. This helps to make the benefits of greening even clearer.
In addition, there is more emphasis on promoting alternative mobility choices, such as shared transport and electric bicycles. By promoting this, the project team hopes to encourage residents to make a more conscious choice for sustainable transport options.
Being actively present at events reaches a broader audience and increases project awareness. By engaging with residents at an early stage, support can already be created for successful greening.