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How The Hague is using its rooftops to adapt to climate change
Uit je Dak showcased six locations that show how rooftops are supporting biodiversity, storing rainwater, generating solar energy, and helping to reduce heat.
At a glance
Who: The Hague.
What: The Hague has been demonstrating how it is using rooftops to adapt to a changing climate, hosting the Uit je Dak festival.
Why: To show how its rooftops are supporting biodiversity, storing rainwater, generating solar energy, and helping to reduce heat.
Where: Uit je Dak took place across the weekend of 12-13 September.
The Hague has been demonstrating how it is using rooftops to adapt to a changing climate.
Across 12-13 September, the Dutch city hosted Uit je Dak, showcasing six locations that show how rooftops are supporting biodiversity, storing rainwater, generating solar energy, and helping to reduce heat.
Overlooked urban space
The initiative aims to highlight how overlooked urban space can become practical infrastructure for a greener, more resilient city.
All six venues present innovative ways to use the space above existing buildings:
- Leiden University: its green roof supports a wider range of plants and animals, contributing to urban biodiversity
- Centrum Laakhavens: different green-roof systems help buildings cope with heat and extreme rainfall. These include a movable system built on cork
- Living Lab Binckhaven: students, businesses, and startups test solutions including a wildflower meadow, planted ‘Jungle Blocks’, and smart irrigation
“The most beautiful green space in The Hague is sometimes not on the ground, but above our heads”
- EnergieKas Helena: this 2,000-square-metre greenhouse on top of a former school complex combines experiments in urban gardening, energy, art, and sustainability
- De Bijenkorf: For the festival, this usually restricted rooftop garden in the middle of the city will be open to visitors
- The former Ministry of Marine building: solar panels and a shared outdoor area show how one roof can support energy generation and community use.
“The most beautiful green space in The Hague is sometimes not on the ground, but above our heads,” said Isabelle Broeders, deputy mayor for public spaces, Energy Transition and Regional Cooperation.
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Around 35 per cent of suitable roofs in The Hague are reportedly already used for solar panels, green roofs, or rainwater storage
“By using rooftops more intentionally, we can make the city more pleasant, reduce disruption from heat and rain, and make better use of existing buildings. It is a practical and efficient way to prepare The Hague for the future. The City Hall sets an example and shows how much potential our rooftops hold.”
Around 35 per cent of suitable roofs in The Hague are reportedly already used for solar panels, green roofs, or rainwater storage. The city aims to increase this to at least 50 per cent by 2030.
The municipality is also using its own buildings to demonstrate the approach. Its programme includes 5,200 square metres of green roofs across The Hague City Hall, the Central Library, and the Forum office complex. These roofs store rainwater, provide cooling, and create habitats for plants and animals.
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What did [Uit je Dak](https://smartcitiesworld.net/news/how-the-hague-is-using-its-rooftops-to-adapt-to-climate-change) showcase across The Hague’s six rooftop locations?How is Leiden University’s green roof supporting urban biodiversity?Which rooftop systems help Centrum Laakhavens manage heat and extreme rainfall?What experiments are taking place at the EnergieKas Helena greenhouse?What is The Hague’s target for suitable roofs by 2030?climate actionClimate change/ResilienceCommercial buildingsEnergy & EnvironmentMunicipal buildingsParks and green spacesolar powerThe Hagueurban space
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