The artistic flair inspiring greener European cities
In Amsterdam, the Stadhouderskade thoroughfare is being transformed into a nature-friendly area with the help of students from various disciplines. This initiative, known as the “Green Mile,” is supported by six Dutch organizations including the Rijksmuseum and Heineken. The transformation aims to reduce car traffic and increase green spaces. The project is part of the CRAFT research project, which received EU funding and runs through April 2025. CRAFT is inspired by the “New European Bauhaus” initiative, aiming to integrate art, culture, and nature into daily life. Amsterdam, along with Bologna and Prague, is a leading city in this initiative, sharing knowledge and experiences to promote sustainable urban transformation. Activities in Amsterdam include installing an “insect hotel” and organizing clean-up events. The goal is to make Stadhouderskade a green and sustainable area by 2030. Another EU-funded project, CreaTures, explored the role of arts in addressing climate change through various experiments, including a role-play game in Finsbury Park, London. The project concluded in 2022 and aimed to inspire more active engagement with the environment through creative arts.