In both the Netherlands and Switzerland, roughly three quarters of the population live in urban areas. Cities face similar challenges to renew and renovate the existing housing stock to deal with climate change, densification and growth in already built-up areas, and, last but not least, to tackle the affordability of housing, also against the background of significant price increases. In the Netherlands, addressing the substantial housing shortage is a key priority for the Government. In Switzerland, while vacancy rates fell in 2021 for the first time in 12 years, demand for housing exceeds supply particularly in urban areas. Besides these similarities, there naturally are also differences, such as the difference in geographical location, from a country in the Alps to a country that lies for a large part below sea level. Switzerland also differ with regard to governance, from a federal state of cantons to an EU member state. Where the challenges are similar and the starting points differ, there are opportunities to share ideas and learn from each other.
Where better to do this than at the 7th International Horticultural Exhibition Floriade? This Expo is organized every ten years. In 2022, its theme is "Growing green cities". The aim is to show how cities can be made greener, more livable and more sustainable. Examples from countries all over the world are exhibited to show solutions that make our cities more fun, more beautiful and more sustainable.
