Developing cooler, greener schoolyards across the city
Green schoolyards for better learning environments and for adapting our city to climate change.
Too cool for school! Through subsidies to realise green schoolyards, the City of The Hague, Fonds 1818 and other partners are helping to create better learning environments while adapting our city to climate change.
The environments where children play can have a major influence on their behaviour. Evidence supports the view that children quarrel less, play more creatively and are generally safer in more natural spaces. Unfortunately, schoolyards are often paved areas that lack cooling capacity during summer.
In recent years, the City of The Hague has cooperated with Fonds 1818, Hoogheemraadschap Delfland and The Hague primary schools to bring green schoolyards to life. Using approaches such as de-paving and tree planting, green school yards increase cooling and water absorption. This adapts our neighbourhoods to climate change, while children can play in a more natural environment.
85 schools have applied for the start-up grant, leading to completion of 55 school squares (about 1/3 of all primary schools in The Hague!). New green school squares are still being delivered. The Water Board is taking the lead to further develop these spaces across our city.
Lead:
City of The Hague DSB, OCW, HHD, Fonds 1818
Partners:
NME, DDH
