Van Tegel tot (verf)Tuin

Reducing heat stress through shared dye gardens

As part of the project Van Tegel tot (Verf)tuin ('from tile to dye garden'), Waag Futurelab’s TextileLab and housing association De Alliantie are exploring how paved urban courtyards can be transformed into vibrant dye gardens. By bringing together local residents and textile makers, the initiative not only increases greenery in the city but also fosters new forms of value exchange inspired by the principles of the doughnut economy.

Urban heat stress is an escalating issue, with city temperatures rising up to 7°C higher than surrounding rural areas. Encouraging the cultivation of dye plants in urban spaces helps mitigate this heat stress while simultaneously supporting local, sustainable textile production.

Fostering urban value exchange

Amsterdam is seeing a decline in residents' sense of community and belonging. Shared dye gardens can enhance the quality of the urban living environment by strengthening social ties and encouraging collective care of green spaces.

Through communal gardening and hands-on creative practices, residents become actively engaged in shaping their immediate surroundings. The dye garden becomes a place for learning about natural dyeing processes, developing creative skills, and connecting with others. At the same time, it offers local textile makers access to sustainable, locally sourced materials—closing the loop in a circular, community-driven system.