Rotterdam opens sustainable urban nursery to boost city greenery and biodiversity
Rotterdam’s new urban nursery and tree depot ensures city trees and plants are sustainably grown, reused, and protected. Citizens benefit from greener public spaces, preserved mature trees, and eco-friendly practices like rainwater irrigation and pesticide-free cultivation.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Fairoaksbaan, near Rotterdam The Hague Airport |
| Size | 25,000 square metres |
| Tree Capacity | 5,000 trees (130 species) |
| Rainwater Storage | 400,000+ litres (three silos) |
| Sustainability Features | Organic growth, pesticide-free since 2006, biodiversity-focused planting |
| Logistics Role | Reuses plants, supplies greenery for projects like Rijnhavenpark and Hofplein |
| Opening Date | March 25, 2026 |
| Opened By | Alderman Pascal Lansink-Bastemeijer (Enforcement, Public Space and Mobility) |
The City of Rotterdam manages public spaces, including parks, trees, and urban greenery, to enhance livability and sustainability. This nursery supports the municipality’s goals by ensuring efficient plant logistics, biodiversity, and the preservation of mature trees during city developments.
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New urban nursery and tree depot opened
What happens to trees that are temporarily removed, for example when sewers are replaced? And where do plants come from when the municipality fills a planter? The urban nursery is the answer. This is a nursery, logistics centre and temporary home for plants and trees belonging to the City of Rotterdam.
Due to the construction of the Nieuw Kralingen district, the old nursery and tree depot on ir. P. Kosterlaan had to be relocated. Now, after two years, the new site on Fairoaksbaan is ready for use—close to Rotterdam The Hague Airport.
Alderman Pascal Lansink-Bastemeijer (Enforcement, Public Space and Mobility) opened the nursery near Rotterdam The Hague Airport on Wednesday, March 25.
Nursery
The nursery consists of a large sustainable greenhouse, an outdoor area with young trees and plants, and a tree depot where city trees are temporarily housed. The City of Rotterdam purchases smaller trees and plants and grows them itself. The municipality can also maintain and further develop trees and plants here.
Capacity
The nursery site covers 25,000 square metres. It can accommodate around 5,000 trees in 130 different species and sizes. These are young trees that will later be moved to the city, for example to the new Rijnhavenpark.
Biodiversity
To promote biodiversity and improve soil quality, flowering plants are sown between the tree rows. Along the outer edges of the sections, various organic flower mixes and green manure crops are planted. The trees are also grown organically. The City of Rotterdam has not used pesticides since 2006.
Logistics centre
Plants left over from one project can be reused elsewhere. The nursery allows the municipality to distribute small deliveries across the city, such as plant bowls and trays in public spaces. It also supplies geraniums for Remembrance Day and trees for the new park at Hofplein.
Tree depot
On this one-hectare site, large trees that need to be temporarily removed—such as when sewers are replaced—are planted. It also houses a large plane tree from Hofplein. The trees are well cared for and later returned to the city. This preserves valuable, mature trees for the future.
Rainwater
The greenhouse at the nursery contains three large rainwater silos with a combined capacity of over 400,000 litres. This water is used to irrigate the plants, reducing the need for tap or groundwater. An independent water system is in place for the trees and plants in the outdoor area.