The Rijnvliet Edible Neighbourhood is a new residential area in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The project involved the creation of a 15-hectare food forest, based on the principles of food forestry, with more than 1,000 fruit trees and 220 species of edible plants. What began as a traditional housing project evolved into a participatory process in which local residents actively contributed to the creation of an “edible” and climate-resilient neighbourhood. Residents participated in tree planting days, fostering a strong commitment to the future of the neighbourhood. The central park brings together all the layers of the forest, with recreational areas such as football pitches and an elevated path through the trees for fruit picking. In addition to leisure activities, the forest enhances ecosystem services such as water management and air purification.
[Last update: 07/11/2024]