Greenery in the street has many advantages. It makes the city cooler on hot days and absorbs water when it rains hard. It reduces the effect of wind and contributes to biodiversity. In addition, greenery can contribute to social cohesion in the street. You are more likely to meet in the street if it is nice to be there.
We appreciate it when residents want to contribute to the public green spaces in our municipality. This already happens in several places. It is important that we make clear agreements about maintenance in advance. We discuss what maintenance will or will not be carried out, who does it (the municipality or local residents), and whether it fits in with policies such as our verge and mowing policy. We record these agreements so that everything is clear to everyone.
You can register a spot in the street that could be greener as a Green Initiative. You can then make a proposal to change the spot. This could be a neighbourhood garden or a green planting area, for example. All initiatives with which we can make Apeldoorn greener are welcome.
Involve your neighbourhood
You make a plan together with two neighbours. You also implement it together. These three neighbours are the people we contact. You check in advance whether your neighbours and other people in the neighbourhood accept your initiative. Are there any objections or problems? Then we are happy to think with you about what we can do about it. We consult with the neighbourhood manager and possibly other experts from the municipality about the feasibility of your idea. If there are no objections, the site can be adapted.
Site management
The management of the place will then also be with you and your neighbours. This ensures that the initiative can continue if any of you move house. We record the agreements we make with each other in a management contract.
Conditions
To receive approval on your idea, you must meet the following conditions:
- You live in the street where you want to implement the idea.
- The initiative you want to implement is on public land and is open to all. This will remain so.
- You have approval from all your neighbours for this idea (with signatures per household).
- Together with at least two neighbours, you will take on the management of the green initiative.
Projects larger than 25m2
Your project may be too large (more than 25m2) to continue as a green initiative. Do submit a green initiative application as yet. Your idea may be eligible for the ‘Greening the City’ project. If your idea qualifies, you should expect a waiting period of 2 years before your idea can be realised. At that point, you as a local resident will still be included in the project.
Greenery along the façade contributes to a brighter appearance of your house and the street. In addition, the greenery provides shade on the wall. As a result, the wall becomes less hot in summer, and so it becomes less hot indoors. Furthermore, greenery contributes to the city's species diversity.
Facade garden on public land
If your house borders public land, you can apply for a facade garden. We will then assess, for example, whether the façade garden obstructs passage on the pavement. The first tiles along your wall will be removed and soil will be added. Climbing plants and/or perennials can be planted in this soil. We supply these plants for you. Planting a façade garden without permission is not allowed.
Gable garden on own land
Do you still own land for your property? Then you can get started right away! Remove one or more tiles near your facade. Put a green plant in the ground at that spot. Create a raised border around it. You can use the tiles you removed for this. Make a construction at the façade, along which the plants can grow upwards. Choose a plant that will not stick to the façade. This will prevent damage to your property.
Conditions
To receive approval on your idea, you must meet the following conditions:
- You live in the street where you want to implement the idea.
- The facade borders public land.
Every year, the ground around a tree, the tree bed, is hoeed. This is done to ensure that the street remains tidy and that no street dirt is left among the greenery.
Perennials in the tree bed
Do you have a tree in front of the house? And would you like to see perennials growing around the tree? Then you can ‘adopt’ the treebed. We will then take the tree level out of management. That way, the plants are not accidentally hoeed away. This way, you will have more flowers and plants in front of your house. Biodiversity benefits too!
Conditions
To receive approval on your idea, you must meet the following conditions:
- You yourself live in the street where you want to implement the idea.
- The treebed you want to adopt is on public land.
Adding tree to public space
For this, you can make a request directly to the neighbourhood manager via public space reports.
We record the agreements we make with you in a management contract. This includes:
- No large structures, fences, vehicles, trailers, rubbish or anything similar are allowed on the green space. You are also not allowed to store things there.
- Would you like to erect a small structure pergola or green garland on a green initiative site? If so, we will be happy to discuss this with you during the application process.
- Trees remain under the municipality's own management.
- You do not use chemical (pest control) agents.
- Are you no longer willing or able to manage green spaces? Due to a move, for example? Then let the district manager know. We will send you the district manager's contact details together with the management contract.
Applying to green your street or neighbourhood includes:
- You apply via the ‘apply’ button. Log in with your DigiD, and fill in the form.
- Your application comes to us. We check that all the information is present to assess your application. If it is, we will go through your application with the neighbourhood manager.
- If your application is assessed as feasible, we will usually contact you for an on-site appointment within 8 weeks. During this appointment, mutual agreements are discussed and written down in a management contract. This management contract contains agreements between you as a local resident and the Municipality of Apeldoorn.
- After drawing up the management contract, we prepare the land at the site of the idea. We also supply the plants. The lead time from plan to realisation can be long, as we are tied to the planting season.
- You will be responsible for maintenance and coordinate with the neighbourhood manager every year on developments.
You will also hear from us the moment your idea is not feasible. We will then explain the reason for rejecting your application.
Want more information on this topic or have a question?
E-mail: groeninitiatief@apeldoorn.nl