Shopping Center IJburg strengthens itself against climate risks with green upgrade
Shopping Center IJburg is a typical building complex from a time when the term "nature-inclusive building" was not yet common. Lots of stone and too little nature. The biodiversity and climate-adaptive potential of the existing vegetation was minimal. In collaboration with owner Achmea, we have given it an upgrade. With just a few subtle interventions, we were able to make this building climate-resistant and more visually appealing, aligning it better with the community spirit of the neighborhood.
Good Green is not a cost but an investment
One of the problems institutional investors face: due to increasing climate issues (such as heat stress and water damage), certain areas are becoming more expensive to insure and harder to sell. But climate-adaptive measures are often seen as costly and requiring patience. At Blooming Buildings, we see it differently.
If done right, and by combining climate adaptation with aesthetically appealing planting, green is not a cost, but an investment. You can turn a risk area into a growth diamond where not only climate problems are mitigated and biodiversity returns, but also where social interactions increase, commercial appeal blooms, vacancy is solved, and property value rises. And it doesn’t take long before you see results. Good green adds value directly: plant good plants in nourishing soil, and biodiversity returns as you watch.
With this vision, we caught the attention of Marcel de Vries, Asset Manager Retail Investments at Achmea. One of the buildings in his portfolio with the greatest need was Shopping Center IJburg. De Vries: 'Shopping Center IJburg is located in a very attractive neighborhood and has a lot of potential. But due to its hardscape, heat stress is high in the summer, and rainwater has nowhere to go. The existing vegetation wasn’t consistently maintained and could be expanded. The complex was really in need of a facelift. We’re very glad we could make this happen with Blooming Buildings, using the existing situation as the starting point.'
The Amsterdam neighborhood IJburg is located on an archipelago of man-made islands in the IJmeer. Shopping Center IJburg (also known as WIJburg) is located on the northwestern Haveneiland. Together with Marcel, we visited the site to see where we could make a big impact with small interventions. For the first phase, we replaced the planting in existing containers with more sustainable greenery and added a lot of vertical green.
From Nourishing Soil to Careful Management
One of the key principles was to enhance the experience of Shopping Center IJburg for visitors, residents, and entrepreneurs. During the installation, we received a lot of positive feedback from passing nature lovers. But there is often some skepticism: it looks beautiful, but can you guarantee it will stay that way?
We certainly can. And that’s thanks to our 5 G’s of Biodiversity: healthy soil, diverse planting, a year-round flowering arc, efficient watering, and careful management.
To fully utilize the climate-adaptive capabilities of the planting and promote biodiversity, you need to start with a good foundation: soil rich in nutrients. The soil we found was full of rubble. We dug it up to a depth of half a meter and replaced it with good, nutrient-rich earth.
In total, we used about 120 different plant species. With this, we can create a year-round flowering arc, ensuring there is always something surprising to see, and insects have food available.
Good planting requires good management. Our vision: carry out regular small-scale maintenance. We manage the planting we’ve installed on a weekly basis. This way, we can prevent diseases and dehydration, and ensure everything remains fresh and lush.
Healthier, safer, and more sustainable
De Vries: "We’ve equipped Shopping Center IJburg, which is owned by Achmea Dutch Retail Property Fund, with more greenery around the entire complex. The reasons for implementing a greening plan were to make the complex more attractive, increase biodiversity, and contribute to improving the living environment for both people, plants, and animals in the area. We are extremely happy with the results for our visitors, our retailers, and also for the residents of the complex in IJburg."
The climbing plants and many ferns we used provide healthier air (ferns have a greater capacity than most plants to absorb fine particles) and offer the necessary cooling on hot summer days. During heavy rainfall, the planting can absorb the water, preventing climate damage. De Vries: "I predict a blooming future for Shopping Center IJburg."
