The Green & Vital Cities professorship centres around the question of how urban green space can contribute to people’s health and well-being. Can we set up cities, towns and villages in such a way that every inhabitant has access to green areas, preferably in their own neighbourhood, to play in and for recreational purposes? Which characteristics of green space have a positive effect on relaxation and exercise? How does urban biodiversity relate to people’s health? The importance of Nature outside urban areas is also researched, such as the relevance of the Nieuw Land National Park, situated near Almere and Lelystad.
We carry out this research together with students of the study programs Applied Biology, Food & Healthy Living, Earth & Climate and Geo Media & Design.
The professorship collaborates with a variety of parties, such as municipalities, companies in the green sector (garden and landscape architects, green companies) and green site management organizations. For example, on behalf of the municipality of Almere, we develop green interventions in public spaces that contribute to healthier and more vital residents of Almere, and we also evaluate the effects in practice. Professor Dinand Ekkel also participates in various platforms, including City and District, Biodiversity and Nature & Environment. We work together with the University of Amsterdam in the ‘Groenfonds’ project Working Landscapes of the Future, in which we boost green spaces on industrial estates (industry, services, education) for healthier employees.
Would you like to learn more about the Green & Vital Cities professorship? Please contact Dinand Ekkel.
