Rijnvliet Edible Neighbourhood (REN) is a unique, co-created, new residential area in Utrecht, part of the Leidsche Rijn expansion that provides 1000 new ground-based dwellings. Initiated by local residents, the public space in the area is designed as an edible, educative landscape. The layout, based on the principles of food forestry, was developed in a participatory co-design procedure with residents, experts and the municipality. This has resulted in a public space design where all the greenery is edible for humans or animals.
The public space of Rijnvliet consists of a 15ha foodforest with more than a thousand (fruit)trees and 220 different (sub)species of edible plants, herbs & shrubs. The foodforest is built up with multiple layers of plants, forming an integrated ecosystem.
The entire district is embedded within a productive landscape, integrating three values: food production, usage and nature. Therefore the principles to create a ‘foodforest’ are merged with the functionalities required for the surrounding residential areas, providing a multiplicity of uses and unique access to nature for all generations. The abundant green and blue spaces are harmoniously blended with the built environment. The quality of life is enhanced by providing a rich human experience, high biodiversity and extensive habitat for birds, bats and other species.
The food forest enhances the ecosystem services of the entire area, including water management, heat reduction and air purification.
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