Throughout history, the Dutch have encouraged innovation, development, and creativity in many arenas.

In fact, the Netherlands is world-renowned for being progressive! So, naturally, I’ve compiled a list of the most forward-thinking things Dutchies do.  

1. Ban single-use plastics

This is a big one! As of July 2021, The Netherlands banned the production, import, and sale of almost all single-use plastics in line with the EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) guidelines. 

From cutlery and Q-tips to balloons, these items were all outlawed (although stores are allowed to sell their current stocks). Want to know what makes things even better?

There’s also a 90% collection target in sight for plastic bottles to be tackled next by 2029!

2. Power transport hubs with the sun

The Netherlands may not see a lot of sunny days — even in the summer — but the Dutch sure are fans of solar-powering their methods of transportation!

READ MORE | Lightyear One: Dutch solar-powered car can drive 710km on a single charge

Tilburg built a super slick solar-powered bus station while Delft Zuid and ProRail are building the Netherlands’ first fully solar-powered train station.

3. Rehabilitate criminals rather than imprisoning them

Ter beschikking stelling (TBS) which translates into “detention under hospital orders,” is a system that ensures criminals in the Netherlands are rehabilitated in order to reintegrate into society instead of being locked up for their entire sentence. 

READ MORE | How the Dutch deal with mentally-ill criminals: the TBS system

The Dutch prison system aims at resolving criminals’ psychiatric problems as part of the sentence, rather than focusing on punishment methods only.

The result? Far more forward-looking verdicts overall.

4. Lead the way for same-sex marriage

In the spirit of Dutch tolerance, let’s not forget that the biggest gesture of all! That’s when the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage on April 1, 2001.

This step has led to Amsterdam having the biggest share of same-sex marriages, with 45 in every 1,000 married couples being gay.

5. Offer an at-home nurse to new mothers

Kraamzorg is a postnatal benefit for mothers in the Netherlands, where a nurse will be available to new mothers for up to a week after their baby’s arrival.

READ MORE | Everything you need to know about maternity leave in the Netherlands in 2022

The nurse will offer help with baby-related tasks. This is a forward-thinking move on the Dutchies’ side to support new mothers and help them get back on their feet as soon as possible.

6. Tell people exactly what they think

Yup, it’s that infamous Dutch directness, where you can be asked, “Does that upset you?” on a whim if it seems like you’re unhappy.

The Dutch are mad efficient, so they don’t waste time beating around the bush.

Instead, they’ll tell you exactly what they’re thinking, no matter how rude or abrasive it might be.

7. Recognise how important bees are

Whether the Dutchies do this for the environmental impact or just to ultimately train the bees to sniff diseases, with their futuristic vision, the Dutch understood the bee’s crucial role in pollination and food supplies long before it was cool.

From building bee-friendly bus stops to upkeeping a bee census, Dutchies sure is buzzing with nothing but love for the little things.

8. Give people the right to die

The Netherlands pioneered being the first country to legalize euthanasia back in 2002.

Ever since, people with a terminal or imminently life-ending illness have the right to be able to die with dignity.

READ MORE | 8 weird things about dying in the Netherlands

Naturally, this is heavily regulated: patients will have to discuss their decision with their physician and the physician will have to follow a list of protocols before they honour the patient’s wish. ‍

9. Flip old buildings into new spaces

Dutchies are masters of DIY — their bigger projects involve giving old buildings a makeover into a modern shape!

In Utrecht, a 1924 post office was reconstructed into a modern library, and similarly, a thirteenth-century Maastricht cathedral was turned into a magical bookstore.

READ MORE | 10 bookstores you have to visit in the Netherlands

The previously old building of LocHal in Tilburg was also transformed into a spectacular new library which was recognised as World Building of the Year.

10. Be masters of 3D printing

Maybe it’s the DIY in Dutch blood, or maybe it’s just downright genius creativity — but to 3D print oxygen valves, steel bridges, and even houses is over-the-top forward-thinking by the Dutch.

READ MORE | Dutch Designer combating food wastage through awesome 3D printed food

11. Choose cycling and public transport over cars

There’s cycling and then there’s Dutch cycling — a skill that’s in a whole different league.

READ MORE | Car sharing in the Netherlands is on the rise: here’s why it should continue

But whether you’re a bicycle person or more of a pedestrian you’ll realise that the Dutch almost always weigh in favour of ANY transportation method that doesn’t involve moving in a personal car.

12. Ban diesel vehicles from city centres

What’s the best way to keep Dutch cities’ air clean? Get rid of anything diesel!

The Netherlands has introduced milieuzones, meaning that diesel cars, motorbikes, and trucks can’t enter designated areas — making the air cleaner and fresher to breathe.

13. Take work-life balance seriously

The data supports it The Netherlands ranks top in the world for its work-life balance according to the OECD Better Life Index.

In a fast-paced world, steering society away from workaholism isn’t an easy task to achieve!

But when a country enlists burnout, moving, or even taking an exam as pressing reasons for work leave, then you know the Dutch are looking ahead into the people’s future.

14. Work on making high-speed hyperloops a thing

Construction of the life-changing new “hyperloop” is currently underway at the European Hyperloop Center in Veendam. 

The invention of the 420-metre-long-test-tube is silent but violent.

The goal? To whoosh passengers in a capsule noiselessly through a high-speed hyperloop — without any emission — from Amsterdam to Paris.

Now that’s forward-thinking if you ask me!

As this list comes to an end, we give Dutchies a super 4.5 stars for their forward-thinking — but we left half a star out because there’s always room for improvement!

What other forward-thinking things do Dutch people do? Tell us in the comments below!

From splitting the Friday borrel drinks with your coworkers to paying for your friend’s birthday present with friends, Tikkie is one of the most important aspects of life in the Netherlands.

Anyone who’s lived here knows that the Dutch are sticklers for accounting and finances, and the Tikkie app is one of those innovations that comes from their perceived stinginess.

The handy app lets you forward payment requests via WhatsApp and other forms of social media, making it extra easy for groups of people to split costs.

But why is it called a ‘Tikkie’?

Useful and friendly

According to Freek de Steenwinkel, director of Tikkie, the name ‘Tikkie’ is meant to be an onomatopoeic sound, similar to a “ka-ching” or a check sound that rings when someone is paying for something at a cash register.

Whilst it’s fun to imagine paying with “Kachings” or “Cheqs”, there’s a reason why Tikkie prevailed.

“‘Tikkie’ sounded friendly; besides being useful, it should also be fun”, says Steenwinkel to De Ondernemer. Useful and friendly, it is indeed.

A new set of etiquette

Since its creation, Tikkie has created a whole etiquette surrounding money transfers and finances.

@dutchreview €0,36 for “sip from my water bottle” ??? #netherlands #tikkie #nederlands #fyp #dutchtiktok #dutch #internationalstudent ♬ My Happy Song – Super Simple Songs

That includes when to pay someone’s request, when to send a Tikkie, and even the appropriate amount of money you can request from someone. (Hint: there’s no minimum! )

Call it stingy or call it cheap — the Dutch will call it innovative and considerate.

What are your experiences using Tikkie? Do you like using it? Tell us in the comments below.

Tilburg’s TextielMuseum has done it again: the unique museum of textiles is bringing us another fascinating exhibit! “Is it alive?” can be seen between 14 October 2023 and 7 April 2024!

What’s this all about, you ask? The simple answer: life! But of course, there’s much more to it. Let’s check it out.

Is what alive?

Before you screech in fear, don’t worry, this isn’t some display about scary critters and crawlies — the artwork isn’t actually alive.

“Is it alive?” is shown at Tilburg’s unique TextielMuseum, which, as the name suggests, centres around the world of textiles. The exhibition showcases fascinating textile artworks which are inspired by the processes and movements of nature. 

One of the exhibit’s artists, Lonneke Gordijn from DRIFT, tells the curators that “if you look closely at how things in nature are constructed — it’s so complicated and so logical — it makes you wonder if nature is not the high-tech part in our world.”

It’s exactly this premise that’s at the heart of “Is it alive?”, which brings textiles to life with the use of fascinating modern technologies. 

The result? A unique exhibition that combines innovation, textiles, technology and art.

I’m intrigued, tell me more! 

Curious about what you can actually see during this exhibition? Let’s have a look at what awaits you.

The centrepiece of the exhibit is a piece called “I am Storm” by the artistic duo DRIFT, made up of Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta. 

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #13: be innovative (and not be shy about it) 

This new installation is making its premiere during “Is it alive?”, and consists of some 20 larger-than-life-size stems that bounce in the imaginary wind.

On top of that, the TextielMuseum will showcase spectacular “living architecture” by Philip Beesley, interactive works by Bart Hess, and the impressive works of fashion designer Iris van Herpen, as well as Tanja Smeets.

More than art — dive into the research

The artworks displayed during the “Is it alive?” exhibit are not your average pieces of art. 

In fact, there’s plenty of scientific research that went into them, and each piece is as innovative as it is fascinating. 

READ MORE | 7 innovative Dutch projects for a sustainable future

Parts of the technique behind the “I am storm” installation, for example, are the result of intricate research conducted by the TextielMuseum’s very own textile lab. 

Similarly, Philip Beesley’s prototype of the “Poietic Veil Tilburg” was created in collaboration with the renowned TU Delft. It’s the glorious result of the collaborative research effort between the artist and students from the university. Heel impressive!

Want to learn more about this unique making-of process? Dat kan! 

Yup, “Is it alive?” not only showcases the artworks themselves but also takes visitors through their process of creation — “revealing that artists are sometimes inventors and can drive innovation”.

 Curious to see this unique art exhibition yourself? Here’s all you need to know:

We’ll see you there!

What are you most excited to see at the TextielMuseum? Tell us in the comments!

Everybody knows, at least since the recent rise of ChatGPT, that artificial intelligence (AI) is not just here to stay, but also seeping into various domains of our lives. 

In the blink of an eye, AI-generated writing has now become more sophisticated and life-like. It’s almost, but not quite, like the real thing.  

Receive a business e-mail? Chances are it was written using AI. Your beloved Spotify “Daily Mix”? Made by AI. Need help making a meal plan for the week ahead? Just ask AI! 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that slowly but surely, artificial intelligence will begin to play an increasingly important role in your child’s education.

READ MORE | 7 ways an international education gives your children a head start

In fact, one Rotterdam-based international school, Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR), is finding itself at the forefront of this educational revolution and is already implementing AI in its classroom in various ways. 

“An education revolution”: how AI ensures high-quality education for each child

Before we look into how NAISR uses AI to boost students’ education, let’s discuss the exciting possibilities that this new form of education brings with it.

When thinking about machine learning, many of us view it in a negative light — it’s unknown, hence scary. But in the classroom especially, AI has enormous potential. 

How enormous, you ask? Sir Anthony Seldon, a leading contemporary historian and educationalist, has unpacked this in a recent article with Nord Anglia Education.

He believes that in the near future, “with the benefit of AI, every student will receive high quality, personalised teaching, formative assessment and grading.” 

In the eyes of the historian, AI will not just make it easier for students to reach their full potential, but it will also have a very positive impact on their mental health. He writes:

“Schools are better at finding out what young people cannot do than what they can. The self-esteem of the already vulnerable takes a huge hit. AI will personalise teaching and tutoring, helping children feel good about their learning, while freeing up time for teachers to spend more time caring for their students.”

So, not only will an education revolution make the learning process more tailored to the individual, but teachers will also greatly benefit from it. 

How does NAISR utilise AI to boost its students’ education?

So, how does NAISR apply AI to its teaching? The answer, just like technology, is ever-changing.

Although NAISR is already making big steps in the AI world, the Rotterdam-based international school is continuing to find new ways to integrate the technology into its classrooms.

READ MORE | This international school works with MIT and UNICEF: meet Nord Anglia

They are embracing new technologies by taking each opportunity that presents itself and eagerly waiting to adopt the best practices in education, as led by Nord Anglia Education.

Using AI as a research and comparative tool, not a quick fix 

We know what you’re thinking: “If we let our children use AI in schools, won’t they miss out on valuable life skills?” Well, think of it this way: in our modern age, AI is a valuable life skill.

Knowing how to use AI, debating the ethics of AI, and learning about AI safety will soon be crucial skills for everyday life as well as in the job market.

At NAISR, students learn how to make the most of AI as a research tool in order to make their academic pursuits and goals more easily accessible. At the same time, they are taught about the shortcomings of AI and how they can be accounted for with traditional critical thinking. 

“AI, such as ChatGPT, is just an extension of what we already have. There are books, then the internet and now ChatGPT. This is just another step to bring information and data from even further afield together. The main taught element and focus of research has stayed the same throughout; fact check, analyse the different perspectives, draw conclusions, and write them in your own words. This is nothing new.” — Teacher at NAISR

Preserving the importance of human intelligence

We can’t deny that AI will play a major role in the future, but that doesn’t mean that durable human skills will be any less important. And NAISR knows that. 

That’s why the students at the Rotterdam-based school are taught to explore the flaws of AI, stay critical, and embrace the merit of their human intelligence. 

In this way, human intelligence and artificial intelligence become complementary.

On top of that, NAISR is focused on teaching its students human skills that can’t simply be replaced by algorithms, such as creativity, teamwork, resilience, and confidence. 

It is this unique cocktail of human skills and machine intelligence that can ultimately bring education further. 

Embracing AI, in and outside of the classroom

As Sir Anthony Seldon discusses in his article, AI can be an efficient, time-saving tool in education — especially for teachers who often find themselves bogged down by administrative tasks. 

NAISR makes an effort to embrace the time-saving potential of AI, and supports teachers in their professional development by allowing them to learn about AI practices from AI experts.

“AI can be useful for fast planning, creating resources to further lessons in time-efficient ways” — Teacher at NAISR.  

When administrative tasks such as planning and creating lessons become streamlined, it allows educators to focus on delivering quality teaching and fostering meaningful connections with their students. 

Individualising support and personalising learning

Last but certainly not least, NAISR makes use of AI-powered platforms to cater to each student’s unique learning style, pace, and ability. 

How? By offering learning environments with accessibility features that make education more inclusive. 

AI-powered transcription services can benefit students with hearing impairments, while adaptive learning technologies can cater to a diverse range of learning abilities.

By addressing these individual needs, AI helps ensure that education is accessible to all students, irrespective of their background or abilities.

The integration of AI into classrooms marks a significant leap forward in the evolution of education. 

By promoting personalised learning, streamlining administrative tasks, fostering collaboration, and providing valuable insights, AI empowers both students and educators. 

As we embrace the potential of AI in education, it is essential to strike a balance between technological innovation and the human touch, ensuring that education remains a holistic and enriching experience for all. 

And that’s why NAISR is embracing AI in so many innovative ways.

Do you have any thoughts on the possibilities of AI in the classroom? Share them in the comments!

The Netherlands is known as the country of cheese and bicycles, and for being the flat European country below sea level. As it turns out, the city of Gouda is especially in trouble.

With a city centre that floods regularly and houses that slowly sag, Gouda’s inner city drops between three and 10 millimetres per year, says National Geographic.

While that doesn’t sound like a lot, the cheesy namesake has been sinking for a THOUSAND years. So, what’s being done to save the so-called Groene Hart (Green Heart) of the Netherlands?

A bit of engineering history

Dutchies strategically built canals, dunes, and walls to live around (and on top of) reclaimed land from the North Sea.

‘God created the world, but the Dutch created The Netherlands’. This map shows the land reclamation in The Netherlands. Source: https://t.co/QNfRuZXFD1 pic.twitter.com/Yu6Z90teve

— Simon Kuestenmacher (@simongerman600) September 18, 2019

Like most of the Netherlands, Gouda was built on the same reclaimed land, which has especially soft soil. Within 100 years, the city sinks anywhere from 30 centimetres to one metre.

READ MORE | Why is the Netherlands so flat? The complete explanation

The fact that the city has been sinking wasn’t a problem for a very long time — but sentiments are slowly changing, especially given the impact of climate change.

Six metres under

The tactics of the Gouda residents were pretty simple: make sure the home was built on a raised floor. The more the house sank, the higher they would raise the floors.

If (and when) they noticed their heads were getting close to the ceiling or the house sagged too much, they demolished the entire house and used the debris to build a new one.

READ MORE | Why the Netherlands isn’t underwater (VIDEO INSIDE)

But as time went on, the debris piled up (or piled below?), and now there’s at least six metres of debris beneath the city.

And to make matters worse, the city’s foundation is STILL sinking — and it’s getting dangerously close to groundwater, which increases the nuisance for residents even more.

Raising the city and fighting floods

Now, the city has a plan to keep water off the streets by using some of those top-notch Dutch engineering and water management skills.

By regulating the water levels in and around the city, the municipality has created a polder (an artificial body of water for water regulation) around Gouda. While the sinking is irreversible, this slows it down with minimal intervention.

But Gouda isn’t the only city in trouble. As Gilles Erkens of Deltares tells National Geographic: “There are nine million people living and working [on weak grounds]. As sea levels rise, every inch of height loss is a deterioration of our future prospects.”

Did you know that Gouda was slowly sinking? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Ever been so stressed by life that you have to book yourself a timeslot in an open grave? No? Well, Radboud University can offer you that option if you want it.

We’re not kidding.

Known as the “purification grave”, the open grave site can be found behind the university’s chapel. It’s fitted with a comfy yoga mat (with the words “stay weird”), a sign that says “Memento Mori”, and a pretty good view from six feet under.

Oh, and probably some bugs — but who cares.

Ok, but… why?

The grave site is actually an initiative of the university’s chapel — and it’s not exactly new. In fact, the story of the “Purification Grave” started over a decade ago.

In 2009, the chaplaincy decided to dig a grave in its garden in order to allow students the opportunity to lie down and reflect on their lives.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #13: be innovative (and not be shy about it) 

And that’ll certainly do it. According to the chaplaincy’s website, the grave site is “A modern form of memento mori, which means that you are aware that you are mortal.”

The grave was initially temporary and was filled in 2011. However, it proved to be so popular with students that a number of them requested it to be redug.

As a result, in 2019, student pastor John Hacking and secretary of the student church Ilse Hubers grabbed the shovels and got digging once more.

“I think it is important that people have the opportunity to reflect, especially at a time when stress among students is becoming increasingly worse,” Hubers tells Vox.

How does it work?

The idea is pretty simple — you get in the grave and think about your life. However, you are not allowed to bring your phone or your books.

This is not meant to be a quirky place to stalk your ex on Instagram or read Carl Jung (although it may, indeed, trigger ego death). Instead, it’s meant to help you see the bigger picture.

In need of a factory reset? The “Purification Grave” still exists to this day!

All you have to do is book yourself a time slot of anywhere between 30 minutes and three hours by sending an email to the chaplaincy.

They’ll meet you there with the “stay weird” mat and a pillow.

Would you book a slot in the “Purification Grave”? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Thanks to decades of innovation and hard work, the Netherlands is one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters — but the looming climate crisis is an ever-present topic influencing the agricultural sector, and the Netherlands is no exception. 

With groundbreaking innovations around every corner, the Dutch are renowned for their agricultural progress.

How did such a small country become a top dog in food export, and how are they dealing with the world’s changing climate?

The Dutch agriculture industry is growing

Dutch agriculture exports rose 17% last year, which amounts to over €120 billion worth of goods — a record year for the industry and a proud Dutch moment. 

You might have already seen one of these videos in which the Dutch prowess in agriculture, food exporting, and innovation was shown:

So, what has generated such an expansion?

Exporting Dutch agriculture: what and where?

In 2021, Germany was the largest international consumer of Dutch bio-products (€26.3 billion), followed by Belgium (€12.1 billion), France (€8.6 billion), and the UK (€8.6 billion). 

Ornamental plants and flowers are the hottest export items for the Netherlands, raking in about €12 billion in 2021. Dairy products, eggs, meat, and vegetables profit over €25 billion combined. 

READ MORE | GROW: Dutch design studio lights up the future of agriculture

With tons of income, nevertheless, the Dutch are also becoming increasingly (and painfully) aware of the climate impact of the agri-export game. This is one of the factors that pushed quite a few interesting Dutch agriculture innovations into the spotlight.

Dutch innovations: Farming for the future

Innovation, in general, has always been a key part of Dutch culture and society and has really helped in developing more modernised farming methods in the lowlands. 

The R&D (research and development) expenditure in the Netherlands has more than tripled in the past 30 years. That’s around 2% of the nation’s GDP! So, no wonder the Dutch have a reputation for being innovative and forward-looking. 

In 2023 alone, the Netherlands is expected to spend more than €12,400 on R&D and innovation.

READ MORE | 17 ideas that make the Dutch sustainability super-heroes

‘‘But how exactly are the Netherlands being innovative when it comes to farming?’’ We hear you ask. Here are our three favourite examples that also help the agriculture sector become more sustainable.

Sustainable Dutch bananas from greenhouses

The University of Wageningen grew its first crop of locally grown Dutch bananas using an alternative soil composite made of coco peat and rock wool. The process makes sure no fungus makes its way into the product through bad soil and overall creates a more efficient and effective banana growing process. 

It’s examples like these that give us hope regarding the current global climate crisis — at least we know there are people out there doing their part!

Using food waste to feed farm animals

Naturally, with a globally increasing demand for meat comes a constant need to feed livestock. Although veganism is increasing in popularity, it also feels like it’s becoming a more polarising issue — as are most things.

But there is help. Dutch company Nijsen/Granico produce about 90,000 tons of animal feed a year entirely from human food waste and thus creates a far more sustainable meat production circle. 

Isn’t it nice to know that even after being eaten, your food fuels another living being?

The floating farm in Rotterdam

In 2018, we wrote about Rotterdam’s new “floating farm“. The entire farm will be sustainable, feeding their cows with leftovers from local restaurants, collected by electric-powered trucks from GroenCollect. 

The remaining feed needed will come from home-grown duckweed — how smart! Even the cow manure is collected and sold, making the floating farm quite sustainable.

Dutch agriculture and the climate: Still a touchy subject 

It’s no secret that the agriculture sector is one of the most problematic in terms of global emissions and climate change. That’s why the Dutch made an oath that goes a little like this: “producing twice as much food using half as many resources”. 

Since the turn of the century, many farmers have reduced dependence on water for key crops by as much as 90%. Dutch farmers have also almost completely eliminated the use of chemical pesticides in greenhouses. 

READ MORE | Dutch supermarket shelves go empty while farmers do exact opposite of their jobs and block our food

But there is still much to be done if the world is to feed 8 billion people AND save the climate by 2050.

The Dutch government previously aimed to cut its nitrogen emissions in half by 2030 but has since dropped these ahead of the November elections after a lot of backlash from farmers.

But the Dutch government isn’t fully abandoning their vision, as they also consider stopping subsidies for the most polluting companies in the Netherlands.

The high tensions between the government and the farmers were not making life easier for Dutch consumers, and the most recent clashes have brought increased attention to the impact of Dutch agriculture on the longevity of the planet. 

Nevertheless, the Dutch innovative culture might give the environmentally concerned some peace of mind. After all, the top five agri-food companies in the world have bases in the Netherlands, so the way to global change is relatively short. 

Are you impressed with Dutch agriculture? Or are there areas where the industry can improve? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 28, 2019, and was fully updated in October 2023 for your reading pleasure.

For the residents of the north of Den Bosch, these cool futuristic bulb houses have been a part of the landscape since the 1980s (yes, they really have been there for that long).

The bolwoningen (bulb houses) were completed in 1984, along with the kubuswoningen (cube houses) located in the heart of Rotterdam. It was a year for experimental homes, and Rotterdam’s cube houses stole all the fame.

While there wasn’t much spotlight left for the bulb houses, they still managed to attract considerable attention over the past years.

To this day, people from abroad and from the Netherlands keep coming to see these futuristic houses for themselves.

What is their purpose?

These ‘bulb’ houses were designed by the Dutch architect Dries Kreijkamp, who had a passion for designing out-of-the-ordinary homes. He became fixated on houses shaped like spheres as he felt that this was the way forward when it came to housing.

He compared the bolwoningen to clay huts and igloos and argued that our world is also a sphere, and this shape is, therefore, the perfect way to create a sustainable home.

READ MORE | 24 best and free things to do in Rotterdam in 2023

His aim was to make something that helped people be more in touch with nature, which is why the bulb houses are surrounded by grass and canals, and the windows are rounded, offering a 360-degree view.

The project wasn’t an easy one, though. Initially, the houses were not provided with any funding. Once they were eventually built, there were issues with the houses sinking and cracking, and they were threatened to be demolished until the issues were fixed.

READ MORE | 16 hidden places in Rotterdam you have to visit

Dries Kerijkamp thought his bulb houses would be the next big thing and was prepared to mass-produce them. But unfortunately, he passed away in 2014, and the bulb houses in Den Bosch are the only ones that stand today.

Where are the rooms?

So where are all the different rooms? I wondered this myself — especially because when I visited the cube houses in Rotterdam, the whole shape of the place just completely messed with my brain.

Apparently, the living room is at the very top of the bulb house, the shower and toilet are located in the middle (which is strange because I would expect the largest part of the house to be the bedroom), and at the bottom are storage areas and the bedrooms.

This place is obviously only suitable for one person or a couple who doesn’t mind living in a tight space. Surprisingly though, the inside is not as small as you would initially think.

How can I see them?

If you’re dying to visit them, the bulb houses are located in Den Bosch in the neighbourhood of Maaspoort.

READ MORE | 21 epic day trips from Rotterdam: the ultimate guide

The area where they stand is surrounded by typical Dutch housing, but no need to worry about not finding them — they definitely stand out!

Have you visited these bulb houses in Den Bosch? What did you think? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Grotevriendelijkereus/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2018, and was fully updated in September 2023 for your reading pleasure.

The Dutch are using their creative brain-power to create innovative (and sometimes fun!) solutions to save the climate.

It might surprise some to hear that the Netherlands actually lags behind a bit when compared to similar countries’ climate efforts — ending up as number 11 on World Population Review’s ranking of the world’s most sustainable states.

That means some real action is needed if the Dutchies want to keep up! Thankfully, the Netherlands has a proud tradition of creative innovation — the perfect breeding ground for new, sustainable solutions. 

Here are 17 of the best Dutch ideas to secure a greener future. 

1. Send residents an “Energy Box” to make houses more sustainable

The Dutch municipality of Eindhoven decided that a sustainable lifestyle should be accessible to everyone — regardless of the size of their wallet.  

On top of that, they realised that energy poverty is a massive (growing!) European problem, resulting in as many as local 14,000 households struggling financially because of high energy bills.

That’s why they’ve joined the European initiative “Energy Box”. The idea is simple: it’s a box containing tons of smart products designed to make energy-saving easier and more accessible. 

The box contains tools like draft strips, radiator foil, and general tips and tricks for optimizing a household’s energy usage.

2. Save the bees, one bus stop at a time 

We’ve all heard it — save the bees! Yeah okay, but how?? 

It’s no secret that bees are incredibly important to our ecosystem, but it’s not always easy to understand how we can help save the cute little buzzers. 

Therefore, Rotterdam and Utrecht have turned regular bus stops into flowery green ones — which the bees LOVE! 

In fact, more than 300 (!) bus stops have been turned into little bee oases, contributing to cleaner air, cute sights, and all-over gezelligheid. 

READ MORE | Bee-ing happy: how the Netherlands keeps its buzz

Who knows, maybe this little life hack is why there is actually a decent number of bees in the Netherlands? The year 2021 marked a record bee-year — finally, some good news on that front.

3. Ban all single-use plastics

Sure, it’s not exactly a Dutch idea, but the Netherlands has gone joined the trend and banned all forms of single-use plastic. 

That means all products (partially) made of plastic that are not sturdy enough to be cleaned and reused cannot be marketed or used anymore.

To reduce one-time use consumption, getting a coffee without a reusable cup will cost you an extra few cents.

If you just started panicking over the fact that you have some cheeky old plastic cups in the back of your cupboard — don’t worry! Private persons, producers, and importers can still use up their stockpiles, so you might still see some plastics here and there for a while.

4. Make solar power super attractive

Sure, the sun might have gotten a bit of a bad rep in the global warming context, but why not use it to our advantage? 

Despite being a land very much dominated by rain and clouds, the Netherlands is also riding the solar power wave (not the Lorde version, the other one).

READ NEXT | World’s first solar car launched by Dutch startup (with a sky-high price)

For example, within the next seven years, the municipality of Amsterdam wants to be generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources. 

Among the many measures implemented across the country is a handy little solar panel subsidy, making saving the planet even sexier than it already was. 

But there are also tons of other cool solar-ideas popping up everywhere, from parking lots to bus stations, and train stations — all powered by the sun! 

5. Adapt housing to fit the future

You know that saying “everything starts at home”? Well, there is absolutely no shortage of green housing solutions in this (rather over-populated) country! 

For example, in Amersfoort, the municipality has established a sustainable housing loan — specifically intended to help people update their houses to more sustainable standards. 

This makes it easy to get financial help to install a heat pump, better insulation, or solar panels. 

READ MORE | 14 dang smart ways to save on energy costs in the Netherlands [UPDATED 2023]

Does the word “loan” immediately make you go “ugh boring, can’t be bothered understanding such complicated stuff” (maybe it’s just me)? Don’t worry! Just ask the municipality’s sustainable energy counter — easy peasy.

6. Revolutionise the entire food system (at least a bit)

Living up to the Dutch reputation of being innovative and hip, Foodvalley in Wageningen focuses on connecting companies and other establishments across the world in their efforts to develop sustainable and healthy food solutions. 

The many market failures of today’s globalised food system have inspired this Dutch organisation to coach and mentor sustainable food entrepreneurs, and offer funding and working facilities.

READ MORE | How sustainable are your groceries? Dutch supermarkets flake on sustainability promises

Not everyone has to go vegan, but it’s inspiring to see an organisation from one of the most mass-producing, agriculture-based countries on earth take a step back and analyse our food patterns. 

7. Welcome Dutch farming on city rooftops

This is probably not the first time you hear about rooftop farming or urban agriculture. But did you know that one of the biggest open-air roof farms in Europe is located in our very own Rotterdam? 

Yep. Across 1000m², DakAkker grows fruits, veggies, and flowers — yay for the bees! 

They also make an effort to educate people about what they’re doing, for example, by inviting school kids to learn about urban agriculture and sustainability.

8. Make schools green (while teaching the kids too)

Speaking of kids, it’s never too early to start learning about sustainability (as we’re all painfully aware of, we’re running out of time). 

That’s why the municipality of The Hague encourages schools to teach all things green and provides handy overviews of how schools can easily become more sustainable. 

For example, in addition to the mentioned solar panel subsidy, schools (and other institutions and organisations) can get extra cash to build green roofs on their buildings! 

They can also get help measuring their C02 footprint, and heaps of other sustainability-focused initiatives. 

9. Make it (even) easier to bike everywhere

The Netherlands is, famously, the land of bikes. But there’s always room for improvement! 

The municipality of Rotterdam, for example, has admitted their shortcomings and is now really going hard on making the city more bikeable.

One way they’re achieving this is by tweaking the traffic lights to turn green more often for cyclists — and they stay green for longer too! Very sneaky, but so smart and simple. 

READ MORE | 7 scenic bike paths in the Netherlands

In many places, the municipality also finances and organises biking lessons for people of all ages, and they help struggling Rotterdammers pay for their bikes — what a Dutch initiative!

10. Put electric car charging points everywhere

“But what if I’m really, really super-dependent on a car to survive” we hear you say. Fear not, for the Netherlands wants to make it easy peasy to have an electric car too!

In Amersfoort, they’ve decided that you should never have to walk further than 200-250 metres from your home to find an electric charging point. 

READ MORE | Buying and driving a second-hand car in the Netherlands: costs you need to know

That way, it’ll get harder and harder to argue that driving electric is too much of a hassle, and more people might end up changing their ways (vroom-vroom!).

11. Clean the air the Dutch way: with bikes!

While on the topic of transportation, one of the coolest innovations to come out of the Netherlands over the past few years has to be the Smog Free Bicycle. 

The idea is as simple as it is genius: the bike sucks up polluted air as you bike, cleans it, and releases fresh air around the cyclist in return. 

READ MORE | Dutch innovation: Air-cleaning bicycles to help stop pollution

It’s Dutch, it’s green, it’s great.

12. Help companies “greenify” by changing business laws

Sometimes, people just need an extra little push from above to implement more sustainable practices. 

The municipality in the Hague gets it — so they’ve enacted a so-called “energy saving obligation” for all companies that consume above a certain amount of energy (50,000 kWh of electricity, or 25,000 m² of gas) a year. 

The obligation means that companies have to comply with a series of energy-saving measures, and regularly report back to the municipality on their efforts and progress. 

That’s one way of greenifying society — you can even get fined if you don’t comply!

More and more Dutch companies will also have to be more open about what they are doing to be more sustainable.

Initiatives such as the Corporate Sustainability Report Directive are pushing to make it so that up to 50,000 companies across the EU will have to meet csrd disclosure requirements, meaning that Dutch companies will have to spill the tea and what they’re actually doing to help the environment.

13. Ban cars in different parts of Dutch cities

So-called milieuzones (low-emission zones) exist in 15 Dutch municipalities and are designed to improve the air quality of the cities. 

In practice, it means that trucks, coaches, and sometimes diesel cars are banned in certain parts of each city. 

Where people are allowed to drive all depends on their vehicle’s “emission standard”. If you want to be up to date on where you and your car belong, you can check out this neat overview.

14. Establish circular economy practices

An entrepreneur-hub in an old swimming pool? Yeah, sounds about right. The Netherlands is full of entrepreneurship hubs (like PLNT — the home of DutchReview!), and BlueCity in Rotterdam is one specifically focused on sustainability.  

BlueCity brings together lots of people interested in a circular economy, to exchange ideas, inspiration, and expertise. 

With more than 40 circular entrepreneurs, lots of events, the so-called BlueCity Lab, and tons of other things going on, BlueCity is like Disneyland for any sustainability geek.  

15. Make furniture out of reclaimed plastic 

Have you ever heard of plastic soup? Although it might sound like it, it’s not a children’s toy. It’s billions of kilos of plastic that are polluting and disturbing the ecology of our oceans. 

Plastic Whale is trying to tackle this issue by cleaning the seas, and using what they find to make new things — like furniture!  

Among their other initiatives is an annual canal clean-up in Amsterdam, which mobilises thousands of people.

16. Catch all that dirty plastic

At the age of just 16, Dutch Boyan Slat started the Ocean Cleanup. They developed a new, super-effective plastic-catcher, to clean up the world’s oceans and rivers. 

With a team of over 120 people, plus tons of volunteers, this Dutch startup is definitely making a difference in fighting plastic pollution. It really makes you think about what you achieved at 16, doesn’t it?  

17. Play with kites and generate energy at the same time

Wind and kites are destined to be BFFs, so naturally, it was only a matter of time before kites were to be connected to renewable energy too. 

Kitepower is a hot new Dutch start-up in the Airborne Wind Energy field. And guess what, it deploys 90% less material than a regular wind turbine, with the potential to be twice as effective. Een kite voor mij please!

Do you have any Dutch initiatives to add to our list? Tell us in the comments!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2022, and was fully updated in August 2023 for your reading pleasure.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how on earth the Netherlands is so flat, you’re not alone. 

When I take a train from Belgium or Germany back into the Netherlands, I know I’ve crossed the border when the horizon suddenly begins to stretch out in front of me, completely undisturbed by hills or mountains.

Coming from a mountainous country, the very sight of it gets the cogs in my brain turning — how is the Netherlands so flat!?

How did the Netherlands become so flat?

It turns out that a combination of geography and land reclamation from the sea is the key to explaining the ruler-straight horizon. Let’s take a look at how each of these works.

Dutch geography is naturally flat land

Most of the Netherlands consists of naturally flat, low-lying plains — hence the Nether-lands. This is to do with it being the drainage point of western Europe.

Four major rivers (the Rhine, the Meuse, the Scheldt, and the Eems) flow into the Netherlands and drain into the Wadden and North Seas via the Dutch coastline. 

How the Dutch reclaimed land from the sea

A whopping 17% of land in the Netherlands used to be under the water! Stealing this land back to build entire cities is one of the many reasons the Dutch are renowned for their engineering and water management skills. It’s also why much of Holland is so flat.

How exactly the Dutch achieved this is truly impressive. First, dikes were built to section off strips of submerged land and to prevent more seawater from flooding in. These areas were called polders.

READ MORE | Why the Netherlands isn’t under water (VIDEO INSIDE)

The seawater was then pumped out of the polders using windmills, and plants were used to stabilize the ground. Polder ground is rich in clay, fertile, and yes, very, very flat.

The following video has some great animations to show you this process:

Is the Netherlands below sea level?

You’ll wet your pants (thi-hi) if you think about this too much, but yes, 27% of the country lies below sea level (meaning about 10% of the Netherlands was already below sea level before the land reclamation).

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #124: Not care about the fact that they’re living below sea level

A baffling 21% of the 17 million Netherlanders reside quite blissfully in what used to be seafloor. This includes major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Delft. The lowest point is 6.7 metres below sea level! 

The Dutch dike system protects the Netherlands from flooding and other natural disasters. The Delta Works in the southwest of the country is one of the largest systems of dikes, locks, and storm barriers built to protect the country.

When dikes fail: Watersnoodramp

The flooding of 1953 was the largest flooding disaster in the Netherlands on record and is known as the Watersnoodramp. 

It was caused by a storm from the North Sea and killed over 2,100 people. Immense damage was caused to areas in the provinces of South Holland, Zeeland, and North Brabant.

The three-border region of Vaals, where the Netherlands meets Germany and Belgium, is the highest point of the country — but it’s still only 323 meters high. That doesn’t stand up to places like the Swiss Alps, which are up to 4,634 metres above sea level!

Is the Netherlands sinking?

You may have heard that much of the Netherlands is built on sinking ground, and unfortunately, this is true.

The continuous drainage that is required to keep parts of the country dry — now done by massive water pumps rather than windmills — is causing the land to sink up to seven millimetres per year. 

Climate change is also contributing to the nation’s downward drift. As the summers become warmer, the clay-rich land dries faster and thus sinks faster.

This can cause huge problems for Dutch infrastructures, like cracking foundations, destabilized roads, sinkholes, and an increased risk of flooding.

A few old canals and quays in Amsterdam have already collapsed. Many Dutch cities are reinforced with underground poles to try to fight this. Older houses were built on wooden piling, which is now rotting, often costing millions of euros to replace.

A report by the PBL, the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency, predicts around €5.2 billion will be needed to restore weak foundations by 2050. Ouch!

How is the Netherlands preparing for rising sea levels?

Unlike some politicians with *cough* bleached cats for toupees *cough*, the Dutch government does not ignore climate change, nor do they plan on building any walls. 

READ MORE | The Dutch built cities on sinking land: how will this fare with climate change?

“We can’t just keep building higher levees, because we will end up living behind 10-metre walls,” senior government advisor Harold van Waveren told the New York Times.

Instead, the Dutch are building inland reservoirs to catch floodwaters in a project called Room for the Water. In this way, the Dutch hope to continue to do what they have always done best — that is, to live with water rather than fight against it.

But the Room for the Water project has received criticism too. The area of Noordwaard, once a thriving farm region in the southwest of the Netherlands, is now only a watery marshland after it was designated as a flood-catchment zone for the project.

Homes were demolished and people displaced, and some fear that with rising sea levels, this will be the fate of many Dutch areas in the future. Concerns have arisen over how sustainable the Room for the Water strategy really is.

So now you know: the Netherlands is flat both because of natural geography and because of land reclamation. And still fighting the natural forces of the world, the nation keeps pumping a lot of money, brainpower, and water into keeping its cities dry. 

Are you impressed by amazing Dutch innovation? Is the Netherlands doing enough to save itself from climate change? Tell us in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2020 and was fully updated in August 2023 for your reading pleasure.