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 worked on a creative and innovative climate adaptation plan to reduce the effects of heat stress and flooding while increasing biodiversity and generating sustainable energy. The northern provinces and water boards were the clients. On Thursday, June 9, 2022, the groups with the best plans pitched their ideas to a jury of administrators and policymakers, including DB member Noorderzijlvest Jeroen Niezen. Students from the Harens Lyceum created a new design for the Overwinningsplein and won the provincial prize.
It is a time of extremes. Either there is too little water, putting nature under pressure, or there is too much water, resulting in flooding. Biodiversity has never been in such a dire state. Not to mention the energy problem. These are major problems that seem to need to be solved on the world stage. Yet it is also important to look closer to home: what can I do myself? And to make the younger generation realize that they themselves can exert influence. That is why students from the four northern water boards and the three provinces were given the task of contributing ideas about these social 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 purpose. They determined which area they wanted to redesign, investigated which stakeholders they would be dealing with, and were able to ask questions to experts. The students with the best plans from their schools were given the opportunity to pitch their ideas today during the Youth Event Water & Climate, which took place at Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. A little nervous, but above all enthusiastic, they competed for the prize, which was won by Harens Lyceum. "Every aspect has been taken into account. It is a comprehensive plan that is easily implementable. The practical and innovative lampposts, which generate their own energy and provide space for insects, are also very nice. It was great that a presentation was made in Minecraft, which really showed what the square would look like," said the jury.
One of the other Groningen jury members was Melissa van Hoorn, deputy for the province of Groningen: "Congratulations to the winners and compliments to all participants! More than 600 students have thought about 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 is a win for all of us!"
Young people can make an impact
Trashpacker Tijmen Sissing inspired the students throughout the day as chair of the event. A few years ago, while backpacking on his own, Tijmen started initiatives to clean up litter. This subsequently grew into a movement that has spread across the globe. His story shows that big impact often starts with something small. He 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 at my high school. By creating something yourself, you become much more involved in a better future." The students of the Harens Lyceum are naturally delighted to have won the prize and hope above all that it will actually be implemented.