Coolhaven, a district of the city of Rotterdam, characterised by a high density of buildings and a high intensity of new construction projects, can be associated with overwhelming brick facades and steel passageways. Little C is one of the high-density housing construction projects in the area, inspired by the New York neighbourhood of Greenwich Village. The masterplan for the area has included green structures right from the beginning, thankfully, in the form of roof gardens, green squares and small raised beds on the pavements.

While such green elements are indeed present in the area (fig.1), the local residents have also introduced another green form. “Het Landje van Geluk” (“The Land of Happiness”) is a collective garden that grew out of the residents’ initiative to enlarge the green common space of Little C.

Since February 2025, this little garden has been providing an example of how residents can influence their living environment, and perhaps especially in densely built-up areas (fig. 2,3). The plot houses native trees (willow, birch, alder, ornamental cherry, apple, and rowan), and the raised beds are covered with organic perennials. A water reservoir allows for collecting rainwater, while in the worm hotel, worms help convert vegetable and fruit waste into fertile compost. An insect hotel provides a home for insects, which are essential for pollinating the plants around.

This little garden provides a perfect inspiration for our thinking about the openness of urban community gardens and the question of including the more-than-humans into the planning process. The garden not only increases liveability but also shows what is possible within the urban realm, even if the construction development seems to be its priority.