As part of our journey through the Netherlands, we visited DakAkker, one of the largest rooftop farms in Europe. Perched high above the streets of Rotterdam on top of the Schieblock building, DakAkker isn’t just a quirky green space—it’s a living, growing example of what urban sustainability can and should look like.
What makes DakAkker stand out isn’t just that it’s a farm on a roof (though that’s impressive enough); it’s that it tackles multiple sustainability challenges at once. This one space is producing local food, supporting biodiversity, managing rainwater, cooling the urban environment, and raising public awareness—all at the same time.
We walked through rows of vegetables and herbs, all grown without synthetic chemicals, using organic and permaculture techniques. There’s something deeply inspiring about seeing kale and beets thriving where you’d normally expect only HVAC units and gravel. This space is productive, beautiful, and functional—a complete reimagining of what a city rooftop can be.
DakAkker also houses several beehives, whose buzzing residents not only pollinate the crops but also contribute to the urban ecosystem. With bee populations under threat globally, creating protected spaces like this in the heart of a city is a subtle but powerful act of environmental stewardship.
One of the most innovative elements of DakAkker is its rainwater retention system. Rotterdam, like much of the Netherlands, is prone to flooding. Instead of letting rain rush into already strained sewer systems, DakAkker uses a smart roof that absorbs and holds water during storms, slowly releasing it later. This kind of green infrastructure is essential in cities facing the dual challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure.
What I found especially powerful about DakAkker was how it brings the idea of sustainability into daily life. We often talk about climate issues as if they’re distant—polar ice caps melting or forests being cut down somewhere far away. But this farm makes it tangible. It’s right there, visible to workers in the building, students on field trips, and anyone walking through central Rotterdam. It’s a reminder that climate action doesn’t always have to be big and abstract—it can be local, edible, and rooted in community.
DakAkker also plays an educational role, hosting workshops, school groups, and volunteers. It turns sustainability into something hands-on, accessible, and even joyful. And in a world where environmental issues often feel overwhelming, that joy is important.
Visiting DakAkker showed me how urban design, public health, and sustainability are deeply connected. It’s not just about growing food—it’s about growing solutions, awareness, and hope in the most unexpected places. As cities everywhere face the pressures of climate change, I hope more rooftops take a cue from this one.