International Horticulture Exposition Floriade embraces green cities
In line with the theme of Growing Green Cities, national and international participants of Floriade Expo 2022, taking place in Almere, the Netherlands, until 9 October 2022, will present innovations and green solutions that make our cities more enjoyable, sustainable and liveable. Floriade presents the creative, green, sustainable solutions required to make this theme a reality.
The Growing Green Cities theme is translated in different sub themes that incorporate greener, sustainable food production and healthier living, including clean air, water and soil, and renewable energy. Dutch engineering companies Witteveen+Bos, Amvest and Dura Vermeer were involved in creating the expo venue. Their assignment: to create a green urban district and exhibition floor that provide answers to the major urban challenges of the future.
Innovative infrastructure
The water management on site is designed in such a way that rainwater is retained as much as possible. The surplus of rainwater and run-off water from the public area is then drained superficially as much as possible. In addition to ecological benefits, this has a positive impact on the living environment and contributes to cost reduction.
To fight heatstress, a thought out system of grids resembling streets is used to scale the ratio between hard surfaces and nature depending on usage. Meaning that in areas with low traffic, nature has been given more room. This way, nature and water offer heatstress relief.
All bridges at the expo are constructed from reused materials such as soda bottles and other packaging materials. In fact, all bridges for bicycles and pedestrians were made from recycled plastics collected from the city of Almere.
Sustainable plans
Floriade has sustainability written all over. The expo includes some permanent buildings and innovative infrastructure which will be used to create an innovative, sustainable residential area called Almere Hortus once the event ends. Also, an art pavilion built in the heart of the expo will be reconverted into an art museum and become one of the key attractions of the new neighbourhood. The art pavilion and its outdoor area are imagined as a sequence of three tangential rings, representing a port, a stage and an observatory.
Studio Ossidiana, designer of the pavilion, was inspired by the sea that the province of Flevoland replaced and the Weerwater Lake, where the pavilion stands. The Port is a ring-shaped promenade on the water, where visitors can walk and which allows for outdoor programming. The Stage is an island that also serves as a terrace that drifts as a floating platform in strong winds.
