Utrecht tree-pit (boomspiegel) and facade garden (geveltuin) self-management
馃嚦馃嚤 Utrecht, UT, Netherlands 路 Gemeente Utrecht
Plant and care for the tree pit outside your home with a one-time supply of plants and soil from the city, and make a facade garden without a permit with free tool and material loans
Utrecht lets residents green public space themselves. Anyone can take over an empty tree pit (boomspiegel) around a street tree by reporting it as self-management; the city places a 'zelfbeheertegel' and gives plants and soil once, lends non-electric tools and collects pruning waste. Residents whose house front meets the pavement can make a facade garden (geveltuin) without permission, and can borrow a trailer or cargo bike with a geveltuin kit (soil, edging, spade, tile cutter) for free from the waste-sorting stations. Groups can apply to the Initiatievenfonds for street greening.
Who qualifies
Any Utrecht resident; the tree and pit stay city property. Tree pit: add at most 10 cm of compost, no chemical pesticides, protect the roots. Facade garden: at most 60 cm deep from the facade (two pavement tiles), dig no deeper than 30 to 45 cm, leave at least 1.20 m of clear pavement, stay 0.9 m from lamp posts, no fences or trees; the home owner's agreement is required. Different rules apply in the historic wharf area and protected cityscapes.
How to apply
Tree pit: check the pit is empty, then submit the 'Zelfbeheer openbare ruimte aanvragen' form at loket.digitaal.utrecht.nl; the city contacts you and places the tile. Facade garden: no application needed; reserve the free trailer or cargo bike with geveltuin kit at loket.digitaal.utrecht.nl/nl/producten/aanhanger-of-bakfiets-lenen. Questions: 14 030 or your wijkbureau.
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