Today I learned a lot more about sustainability as we visited a tulip farm, floating houses and sustainable buildings. First, we visited a family-owned tulip farm that has been running for three generations. The farm is called De Tulperij and is located in South Holland. Tulips play a huge role in the Dutch economy and are exported all over Europe and other parts of the world. This farm focuses on growing the bulbs which customers then purchase and grow themselves. The tour from the farm’s owner provided insights on Dutch agricultural practices. Canals are used throughout the farm which prevents rainwater from flooding the land. The canals then continuously ensure the ground does not get too dry by supplying water. The climate of the Netherlands is well suited for tulip growth, which allows the country to export over 2 billion tulip bulbs annually.

We then visited a neighborhood of floating houses which was incredible to see. This neighborhood is named Schoonschip and is located in the North of Amsterdam. The neighborhood started with a small group of friends with an innovative idea which resulted in a beautiful neighborhood of houses that float on water. The houses are sustainable as they use water for heating and cooling. Furthermore, solar panels are used to help power the homes. One sustainability issue that a resident discussed was how nearby construction polluted the water while also being very loud. This is unfortunate to hear because the company that is making the building did not consult with the nearby residents before doing so. Something I learned about Dutch culture was their strong sense of community. Most of the homes have families living inside and I saw lots of people helping eachother and children playing.

After the floating houses we went to the EDGE building. The EDGE building is one of the pioneers for sustainable and innovative office buildings. We first were educated on the history of the company and the buildings. After this we were given a tour. The building prioritized having lots of sunlight, plants and smart systems to keep the work environment comfortable and healthy for the workers. The coolest sustainable aspect I learned about is how the building produces more energy than it consumes, making it eco-friendly and sustainable.