🍃Have you heard about these smart rooftops in Amsterdam?

Did you know?

Some of the most powerful sustainability work in Amsterdam is happening six floors above street level.

While most rooftops are ignored, these ones are working overtime:

→ Cooling buildings.
→ Preventing floods.
→ Supporting biodiversity.

They’re part of a new design approach that tackles multiple climate threats at once without asking for more space or more budget.

Here’s what makes them smart:

• Rainwater is stored in a buffer layer, cutting flood risk during storms.

• Buildings stay cooler in summer, reducing energy demand.

• Green spaces attract pollinators like bees and birds.

• And the entire network is digitally connected, so the city can manage water flow across whole neighbourhoods.

During heavy rain, they absorb the excess.

During dry spells, they release it to nourish plants.

This is what multi solving looks like and it’s a powerful reminder that the best sustainability strategies don’t live in silos.

They’re integrated, purposeful, designed to do more than one job.

And that’s exactly the shift I encourage businesses to make.

Image credit: World Economic Forum.

The big idea:

The rooftop project in Amsterdam works so well because it wasn’t built to solve a single issue.

It was designed to solve several all at once.

That’s the shift more businesses need to make:

When you design with intention, sustainability stops being an add on and starts becoming a competitive edge.

📌Weekly reflection:

Where are you solving one problem… when you could be solving three?

If you’re ready to reframe sustainability as a smarter way of doing business, let’s talk.

Just reply and tell me:

👉What’s one opportunity you want to unlock faster?

I’ll read every message personally.

If I can help, I’ll respond directly.

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Best,
Jasper