Floriade 2022, the international horticultural exhibition, hit another milestone as it began a 100-day countdown on 4 January 2022. To build anticipation for the event, which takes place from 14 April to 9 October 2022 in Almere, the Netherlands, a large countdown clock has been installed in the city centre.
During the 6-month-long exhibition, the Dutch horticultural sector and its national and global partners will showcase solutions for sustainable, livable cities, under an overall theme of ‘Growing Green Cities’. Around 2 million people are expected to visit: 72% from the Netherlands and 28% from neighbouring countries.
Innovations for more sustainable cities
By 2050, it is estimated that 68% of the world’s population will live in cities. The aim of Floriade Expo 2022 is to show innovations that will make urban centres more livable, sustainable and healthy, as well as more fun. It will also feature an extensive art and culture programme
Marking the start of the 100-day countdown to the event, a major art installation by art producer Mothership was revealed in Almere city centre, in the form of a giant countdown clock. At the unveiling, Hilde van Garderen, the deputy mayor and councillor for public space, art & culture and urban renewal for the municipality of Almere and Hans Bakker, managing director of Floriade Expo 2022 were interviewed by green living environment pioneer and TV presenter Lodewijk Hoekstra.
“Floriade suits Almere. We are a green city with plenty of space, both literally and figuratively. Floriade’s theme, ‘Growing Green Cities’, is a contemporary one,” said van Garderen. “We all know that cities around the globe are expanding. We all face the major challenge of climate change.
“How are we going to feed all those people responsibly? What does this entail for animals? How will we continue to co-habit on the planet in a balanced manner? People contemplating this around the world will meet at the Floriade. The Expo provides insight into what a city and individual inhabitants can do in a sustainable, circular manner whilst retaining biodiversity, because we have to take better care of our planet.”
Countdown clock
As the countdown began, Bakker said: “The Arboretum has been completed. This enduring greenery will provide the green superstructure for the Expo and the Hortus urban district that will be built on the site afterwards. It is an alphabetical tree and plant library which visitors will be able to walk through.
“What makes this arboretum extra unique is that all the trees and plants contribute to a healthy, green city. Construction of the green urban district and the Expo’s structuring go hand in hand which makes this project even more interesting!
“An exceptional project both for the sector and visitors. Families in particular will be able to have an educational, fun day out: walking from country to country, enjoying the extensive art and culture programme, the ornamental gardens, circular pavilions and the experiential greenhouse. The cable car, a form of sustainable urban mobility, provides a wonderful view of the biobased bridges, the arboretum and the country pavilions.
“Floriade will demonstrate to visitors that the good life is living in a green city: The Green Life. Floriade will be an inspiring, green day out.”
Take part
People are being invited to take part in the countdown by claiming one of the 100 days here.
“We want to count down the 100 days to Floriade’s opening on 14 April with the city of Almere,” added Bakker.
“Inhabitants, associations and organisations are invited to claim their day to manually move the clock forward in an original way thereby becoming part of the 100 day countdown party. They can share their experiences, dreams, hopes, news or other stories linked to that day’s number.”
To find out more about the tasks of creating a new green city, blooloop recently spoke to landscape architect Niek Roozen, who has worked on every Floriade since 1982.
Top image credit Feenstra Fotografie
