Beautiful Production Landscape Oude IJssel region

As part of the Open Call for Beautiful Production Landscapes, Smartland collaborated with designers in the Achterhoek region to explore how landscape design can contribute to accelerating the food transition by forging better connections between consumers, producers and the landscape. In direct collaboration with farmers in Megchelen, we focused on concrete, physical design interventions that support these businesses in their sustainability efforts, as well as enhance the landscape's experiential value. We also connected with the regional green and recreational network and landscape-enhancing regional water storage.

We designed regenerative farms, connected to each other and the region via a farm walking route. These educational "Edible Walking Trails," which run alongside landscape elements characteristic of the Oude IJssel landscape (windbreaks, willow rows, widened ditches, forage hedges, and agroforestry zones), connect people with their food, the farmer, and the beautiful production landscape. "Edible" refers to the nutritious plants for livestock, the fruits, nuts, and blossoms for visitors to pick, and the beautiful products for sale in the farm shop.

Information panels tell visitors about the added value of the farmer's interventions for animal welfare and landscape quality, as well as for healthy soil and a climate-resilient water system. There are opportunities for scaling up in the region. Bio Boerderij Keuper has already completed the first phase.

Location: Megchelen, NL

Type: Landscape design

Status: under construction, 2024

Client: Stimuleringsfonds voor Creatieve Industrie

Participation: Farmers

Team: Smartland, Studio Nico Wissing, Het Struweel, Bio Boerderij Keuper Puur & Smaakvol, Keuper limousin vleesveebedrijf

Ontwerp inhoud paneel: Smartland

Grafisch ontwerp paneel: Het Struweel