Plan for Overwinningsplein by students of Harens Lyceum is Groningen's best climate-adaptive idea
Over the past few weeks, more than 600 students from Technasium schools in Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe have been working on a creative and innovative climate-adaptive plan to mitigate the effects of heat stress and flooding while simultaneously increasing biodiversity and generating sustainable energy. The Northern provinces and water boards commissioned the project. On Thursday, June 9, 2022, the groups with the best plans pitched their ideas to a jury of administrators and policymakers, including Noorderzijlvest Executive Board member Jeroen Niezen. Students from the Harens Lyceum designed a new layout for Overwinningsplein and won the provincial prize.
These are times of extremes. Either there is too little water, putting nature under pressure, or there is too much water, leading to flooding. Biodiversity has never been in such a dire state. Not to mention the energy crisis. These are major problems that seem to require solutions on the global stage. Yet it is important to look closer to home as well: what can I do myself? And to help the younger generation realize that they, too, can make a difference. That is why students from the four northern water boards and the three provinces were tasked with contributing their ideas on these societal challenges.
Creative plan and creative presentation
Over the past few weeks, the young people have been working hard on their designs. They conducted their own research for this project. They decided which area they wanted to redesign, identified the stakeholders involved, and had the opportunity to ask questions of experts. The students with the best plans from their school were invited today to pitch their ideas at the Youth Event on Water & Climate, held at Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. A bit nervous, but mostly enthusiastic, they competed for the prize, which was ultimately won by the Harens Lyceum. "Every aspect has really been thought through. It’s a comprehensive plan that’s highly feasible. The practical and innovative lampposts are also excellent—they generate their own energy and provide space for insects. It was great that a presentation was created in Minecraft, which truly showed what the square would look like," said the jury.
One of the other jury members from Groningen was Melissa van Hoorn, a member of the Groningen Provincial Executive: “Congratulations to the winners and kudos to all the participants! More than 600 students have reflected on the consequences of changing and sometimes extreme weather conditions for villages, cities, nature, roads, and bike paths. In doing so, they have gained knowledge and experience and presented their innovative ideas. And that’s a win for all of us!”
Young people can make a difference
Trashpacker Tijmen Sissing inspired the students throughout the day as the event’s host. A few years ago, while backpacking alone, Tijmen started initiatives to clean bin . This eventually grew into a movement that has spread across the globe. With his story, he shows that big impact often starts with something small. This motivated the students right from the start of their project. And he also managed to inspire the young people during the final event. Tijmen: "I never had these kinds of cool, innovative projects in my high school. By creating things yourself, you become much more involved in building a better future." The students at Harens Lyceum are, of course, thrilled to have won the prize and, above all, hope that the project will actually be implemented.