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Alderman Rinda den Besten
Welcome to Utrecht
The Utrecht city authorities are particularly proud that we have been selected to jointly host your 37th International Congress with the AVVN in 2014. This is certainly in keeping with the City of Utrecht’s image as a city distinguished by its talent and knowledge.
Utrecht also boasts a young and highly educated working population, as well as the Netherlands’ largest and most-prized university. In fact, it is among Europe’s Top 5 ranked universities. Countless professional training and research institutes are established in and around the city.
And the AVVN also fits seamlessly within this profile, as the centre of excellence for the allotment sector in the Netherlands. Utrecht boasts fourteen allotment sites, all of which it cherishes. However, it is important that allotment sites are as closely as possible interwoven in the fabric of the urban planning structure.
Furthermore, this needs to be carried out in close cooperation with the allotment associations involved, to ensure maximum openness and joint recreational use. In this way, not only the allotment gardeners, but also their immediate neighbours can enjoy the benefits.
Utrecht is particularly proud of its Hoge Weide allotment park, which is an integral part of a modern office park that accommodates large prominent companies. Employees of these firms therefore have the opportunity to stroll in a stunning park during their work breaks, as well as enjoy lunch in Hoge Weide Meeting Centre. You will certainly be given the opportunity to view this exceptional site personally in 2014.
Utrecht has much more to offer, however. Allotments are a vital link in the design of a sustainable city, which devotes attention to the environment, public health and a safe, green living environment. And this is reflected in various behavioural aspects: allotment gardeners generally come to their gardens by bicycle, while they also get more exercise, which significantly boosts one’s state of health, as borne out by the findings of a recent study.