Dismantling Region Venlo Floriade 2012: An Example for smart recycling and after use

Abstract
The Floriade 2012 is one of the first major sustainable land development projects in The Netherlands inspired by the Cradle to CradleTM (C2C) design philosophy. A set of principles inspired by C2CTM as well as vision and mission statement were developed: the Floriade/Venlo Principles. About ninety percent of the developed Floriade park was transferred to the future business park, Venlo Greenpark. Less than one percent of the Floriade material had to pass through a down cycling process. One of the most interesting upcycling projects is the transformation of the terrace of the BeachClub and the wooden forest paths into garden furniture and wooden houses.

Introduction
The Floriade is a large world horticulture exposition that is held every ten years in the Netherlands. From April to October 2012, the sixth edition of the Floriade was organized by the Region Venlo Floriade 2012. There were approximately 100 domestic and 40 foreign participants expecting over two million visitors. The entire area comprises 66 hectares (163 acres) and now that the Floriade closed its gates, it will continue life as a green business and educational park, “Venlo Greenpark.”

Venlo Greenpark/Floriade is one of the first major sustainable land development projects in Netherlands inspired by the Cradle to CradleTM (C2C) design philosophy. The Floriade C2C framework developed in cooperation with William McDonough and Michael Braungart has originally been applied to buildings and manufacturing design and is now being adapted for land development.

Biological/ Technical cycle of the C2C design concept

Biological/ Technical cycle of the C2C design concept

Continue Reading →

Floriade 2012 – From Cradle 2 Cradle™ philosophy to Realization

This paper discusses the development and implementation of an integral sustainability framework, inspired by Cradle to Cradle™ principles, at a large land development project and world horticultural exposition in the Netherlands. The focus of this study is the development of novel monitoring and reporting methods that have been co-developed to account for the complexity of this cutting-edge project. For this purpose “pattern language” was used, developed by Christopher Alexander. The sustainability reporting work at the Floriade 2012 is on-going. The current phase of the study focuses on integrating the lessons learned from applying pattern language with more conventional sustainability reporting methods.

Complete article here: Floriade_2012_from_C2C_philosophy_to_realization

The Willowman

Hidden away in the forests of the Floriade the willow art project The Willowman represented the ideas of the Floriade for sustainable development.

The sustainability principles of the Cradle to Cradle philosophy were presented in the willow project in a very natural way. Through the simplicity of the project all visitors, children as well a adults, are reminded of the basic natural cycles or are brought into contact with them again. The Willowman was an unique natural experience in which art and education were brought together in a very accessible way.

The curiosity of the visitor and their urge to discover were awakened by the Willowman’s story and the artist’s permanent presence. The art objects in the willow village were given an identity and personality by The Willowman, The connection between art and nature is thus brought to life.

Continue Reading →

De planning van de Floriade: een bijzondere uitdaging

Eigenlijk is de totstandbrenging van elk complex project een bijzondere uitdaging. Maar de planning van de Floriade is alleen al door de omvang van de publieke toegankelijkheid en de verwachtingen van de opdrachtgever, van de tuinbouwsector, de Nederlandse regering alsmede de provincie Limburg en de gastregio Venlo, iets heel bijzonders.

Floriade Innovatoren

De verwachting is niet alleen om op termijn een uniek landschapspark te presenteren dat op een vooraanstaande manier openbaar toegankelijk is. Veel meer nog wordt verwacht dat het project tevens een succesvolle katalysator voor de economische ontwikkeling van het gehele gebied wordt.

Continue Reading →

Regio Venlo Floriade 2012: Architectuur en communicatie

Het centrale uitgangspunt van de Floriade is het motto: Maak deel uit van het theater van de natuur, geraak dichter bij de kwaliteit van het leven (Be part of the theatre in nature, get closer to the quality of Life). De vijf thema’s van de Nederlandse tuinbouwsector, Environment, Green Engine, Education & Innovation, Relax & Heal en World Show Stage, zijn daaraan gerelateerd.

Zowel het motto als de vijf thema’s zullen in een belevingsrijke vorm aan de bezoekers worden gepresenteerd. Volgens de definitie is beleving een blijvende, individuele, positieve ervaring. Volgens ‘The Experience Economy’ van B.J. Pine en J.H. Gilmore moet een beleving aan de criteria Entertainment, Educatie, Esthetiek en Escape voldoen.

Floriade 2012

Floriade 2012

Continue Reading →