Tegelwippen: the Dutch competition that challenges citizens to replace tiles with trees and plants in their gardens

For a few years now, an unusual and decidedly original competition has been taking place in the Netherlands. Is called “Tegelwippen”which literally means “lifting tiles”, and involves entire municipalities and citizens in a challenge that combines sustainability and creativity. The idea behind it is simple: replace the tiles in private courtyards and gardens with plants, trees and green areas. Behind this initiative is the creative agency Frank Lee, which since 2021 has been carrying out a real green urban revolution.

The competition, which takes place between March and October, quickly transformed into a highly anticipated event, so much so that it is now considered a sort of national sport. The result? Every year millions of tiles are removed and replaced with natural elements, creating more welcoming and climate resilient spaces.

Because the Netherlands is lifting millions of tiles

During the months of the competition, citizens are invited to remove tiles from their yards, document the operation with photos and send the evidence to the official competition website. The organizers underline that those who do not own a garden can still contribute by requesting permission from the local authorities to create one front garden: a green strip between the sidewalk and the entrance to the house.

A detail that made the difference is the introduction of the so-called “tile taxis”. These vehicles, made available free of charge by municipal administrations, collect the removed tiles and deliver new plants ready for replanting. It is a system that simplifies the work of participants, further encouraging their participation.

But what is the real objective of this initiative? The organizers speak of a dual mission: make cities greener and combat the effects of climate change. Experts point out that impervious surfaces, such as tiles, contribute to worsening problems related to rainwater drainage, especially in a context of increasingly intense and unpredictable rainfall.

Replacing concrete with green spaces not only improves urban drainage capacity, but also lowers temperatures during the hottest days and creates habitats for insects and small animals. According to Frank Lee, who promotes the project, this transformation is not only useful, but also has a positive impact on people’s well-being: living in greener environments simply makes you happier.

A record number of tiles removed: the 2024 edition

The 2024 edition marked a new record. Between March and October, Dutch citizens removed and replaced 5.5 million tilesfar exceeding the results of previous years. Credit also goes to the almost 200 participating municipalities, who competed with each other with hoes to win the prizes up for grabs.

The cities of Venlo, Vlaardingen and Halderberge were awarded for the highest number of tiles removed in relation to inhabitants. Venlo, in particular, took the “golden tile” trophy with a total of 414,395 tiles raised, an impressive achievement that brought the entire community together with enthusiasm.

The Tegelwippen competition is a perfect example of how small actions can have a big impact. Transforming gray urban spaces into green oases is not just an aesthetic choice, but a necessity to face the environmental challenges of our time. This model of collective participation could inspire other cities around the world. Making cities greener, cooler and more welcoming is a global challenge, and the Netherlands seems to have found an original and engaging way to tackle it.