Sustainable living in Groningen

After our trip to Amsterdam, we had a full week of classes and excursions. We covered a variety of topics including water management, bicycle infrastructure, energy, and sustainability. One day after class we took a bike ride to a sustainable neighborhood. It was really neat to see a community so involved in sustainable living. The houses were all linked together, located next to a canal. They use their own separate water system, with rain water collection and a reed system to filter waste water. They gathered energy using solar panels. Also, the eco-village was built into a hill covered in vegetation for natural insulation. There were many windows allowing for plenty of natural light to enter the houses. One of the most striking features was the outdoor natural "refrigerator". It was previously a clay structure used for cooling but was remodeled with tiles to be more durable in the harsher weather. The eco-village is a model for many others like it around the world, encouraging more people to save energy and resources. The Netherlands as a whole is very efficient and environmentally conscious. I hope that in the future more places can adopt this type of lifestyle.

- Victoria S.