At 9:15, we started our day with a short walk to the Schielblock building, which is home to offices of different companies and a rooftop garden. Before we explored the garden, we visited some sites in the nearby area that showcased Rotterdam’s drainage systems. One of my favorite examples was a basketball court that serves as a basin during heavy rain. We saw an art display that collected rain in containers behind it. Also, we visited a nice neighborhood, where water was collected through channels in a playground. When we went up to the rooftop, we met a variety of different plants, trees, and animals that form a small ecosystem in the city. Specifically, we heard that the garden grows edible flowers that local farms use in their dishes. The roof was also home to a colony of bees, five chickens, and three buckets of composting worms. Not only did the roof have a lot of ecological value, but it was also pretty and provided a great view of Rotterdam.

Following our seven-story descent from the top of the Schielblock building, we began on a walking tour of Rotterdam that focused on important historical and cultural areas. Rotterdam was almost completely bombed flat in WWII, except for four buildings. We got to see some of them today, including city hall and the Rotterdam Post. The four-day bombing was tragic for Rotterdam, but allowed the city to build back stronger and serves as a point of pride for its inhabitants today. We got to see modern architecture that is much different than the historical homes you would find in Amsterdam and the other major cities in the Netherlands.

I have enjoyed our time spent in Rotterdam so far. It has been much quieter and less touristy than Amsterdam, while still holding the appeal of being an international city. I like how art and nature were clearly central to the design of the city. There are frequent art installations and greenery sprouts out of every corner. I learned today that Rotterdam was rebuilt with a lot of inspiration from American cities and architecture. However, they still have us beat with the incredible cycling infrastructure. Despite being a more car-centric city than Amsterdam, bicycles are still a widely used form of transportation.

Wednesday 5/21/2025