Utrecht opts for eco bus shelters with green sedum roofs
- MobiRoof ECO
- Location: Utrecht, The Nederlands
- Dealer: Epsilon
A ground-breaking first for the city of Utrecht in the Netherlands, these green eco bus stop shelters are making heads turn with their sedum roofs. More than 300 bus shelters roofs have undergone a green transformation, each with their new blanket of sedum. The bus shelters were commissioned by ClearChannel – one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the world – and produced by Epsilon. “In addition to each shelter’s green roof and bamboo bench, the baseplate is also made from recycled concrete,” says Maurice Prijs, project manager for this exciting bus shelter greening project. In addition, the company that installs the green bus booths also drives electric buses. The project is designed for sustainability in every way.
Sedum Roofs
The green roofs have been created with MobiRoof cassettes; cassettes with 6-8 types of sedum. The succulent plants can withstand drought and are therefore easy to maintain. The sedum filters the air, catches fine dust and in this way improves the quality of the air. The green roofs also increase biodiversity in the city, of great importance to the butterfly and bee population in urban environments. The cassettes also collect rainwater and provide a cooling blanket at high temperatures.
A green city
The public administration of the city of Utrecht is striving for urban greenery, accessible to all and improving air quality and a natural aspect. Any extra green elements such as the MobiRoof helps make Utrecht a more attractive, healthy and interesting place to live, work and visit and helps the environment too. The sustainable bus booths in the public realm reflect the city’s green social ambitions perfectly.
Global media attention
As you would expect, the impact of these bus shelters has not gone unnoticed. The media has picked up on this project, enjoying worldwide press coverage. The Independent writes “Holland covers hundreds of bus stops with plants as a gift to honeybees”. Add this to the coverage received by established titles such as UK’s The Guardian, India’s India Times from India and Stern from Germany, and there is a real “buzz” about this story.
Interested in your own green roof?
The local authority in Utrecht is keen to encourage the installation of more green roofs. Residents can, therefore, apply for a subsidy from them for their own green roof. If you are interested in which Dutch authorities offer these and other green incentives? Find out more here and click on a place name for more information and details.