INTERNATIONAL NEWS - The green roofs, covered mainly with sedum plants, not only look great, they help capture fine dust, store rainwater and have a cooling effect in the summertime.
This was one of several measures aimed at improving the air quality in Utrecht.
An unhealthy environment, which includes bad air quality, is the second cause of diseases in the Netherlands after smoking.
From bus stops to bee stops
Now the green roofs of the bus stops have also become bee stops contributing to the city’s biodiversity by attracting and supporting insects like honey bees and bumblebees.
The green roofs of the bus stops have also become bee stops contributing to the city’s biodiversity by attracting and supporting insects like honey bees and bumblebees.
Environmentally friendly buses
In addition, Utrech recently replaced ten diesel buses with electric buses as the city aims to only operate co2 neutral buses by 2028. In the meantime bus drivers are incentivized to adopt more environmentally friendly driving styles. The buses register how efficiently and comfortably each bus driver operates the bus and based on how well they drive, they can win prizes.
The electricity used to power the buses will come from Dutch windmills.
The citizens of Utrecht are also incentivized to transform their own roofs into green roofs and can apply for special subsidies to contribute to this.
