As we approached the end of our trip to the Netherlands, we spent Day 11 exploring the history of Rotterdam’s architecture and how it is being used to make the city safer and more sustainable. Rotterdam is noticeably much more modern than the city of Amsterdam due to the bombings that occurred during WWII. These bombings left Rotterdam in ruins, with only 4 buildings surviving until today: the city hall, the Het Witte Huis, the Laurenskerk tower, and the Schielandshuis.
Throughout the day, we were shown how the city’s modern architecture was being used to make the city more sustainable. Some towers have made their roofs their own personal garden that can grow native plants, flowers, and even some vegetables and fruits. These plants are then harvested and sold to businesses and restaurants around the city. Some of these roofs have also introduced animals to their gardens, such as chickens and bees. The most impressive display of this “green roof” practice is at an abandoned train station that now serves as a public orchard. Various fruit trees are planted around this station, which is free for public picking.
Other buildings have committed to being completely carbon-free, even during construction. The company known as Edge Buildings has made it its mission to ensure that its buildings are built with a minimal carbon footprint by using carbon-friendly transportation and materials.
We were also able to tour some of the more historical parts of Rotterdam, including their famous White House and several of the city’s medieval ports that made the city a powerful trade destination. We ended our tour at the Markthal, which was a building full of apartments and various international restaurants. I spent the rest of the day exploring the city, ranging from shopping districts to live jazz performances!