Brabant has a special national park. From next month, Breda will officially bear the title ‘National Park City’. That is an international recognition for a city where nature and urban life go hand in hand. The Baronie city is therefore the first city in Europe to be assigned the title.
The title is officially awarded on 20 May by National Park City Foundation from London. That is a worldwide movement of people working on more green and biodiversity in a city. The purpose of the Foundation is that there are at least 25 National Park Cities within a few years.
“This title is a recognition and serves as an inspiration to continue with this.”
Breda is given the title because residents, entrepreneurs and the municipality have been working intensively for a long time to make the city greener, healthier and more natural. “This title is a recognition for the many residents, entrepreneurs and organizations who are committed to making Breda greener and it serves as an inspiration to continue with this,” says Joost Barendrecht, chairman of the ‘Breda Stad in a park’ foundation.
“It is primarily a stimulus to make more residents enthusiastic about working with greenery. That does not always have to be very big. A facade garden is also making a nice contribution. Together we ensure that Breda continues to flourish as a city in which nature and people reinforce each other.”
“We want to be a city where people can meet in the outdoor space.”
With the title, Breda joins world cities such as London and Adelaide, who achieved this status earlier. The title National Park City is not only a rating, but also a promise. In the coming years, the municipality, together with the residents and entrepreneurs, will continue to invest in greening.
This is done, among other things, by stimulating green roofs and facades, transforming petrified places into green places and organizing events that have to do with, for example, the climate. In the coming years, for example, it must become increasingly visible that Breda is a green, European ‘city in a park’.
Alderman Peter Bakker of Nature Development sees the appointment as an important step: “We will ensure that Breda will also remain a pleasant place for humans and animals in the future.” That’s how his colleague alderman Jeroen Bruijns of Public Space sees that too. “We want to be a city where people can meet in the outdoor space. Together we ensure more green happiness.”
The official allocation of the title is celebrated on May 20. During this event the title is officially handed over to Mayor Paul Depla together with a delegation from the city.