Palus Demos
What is paludiculture? Paludiculture, also called wet cultivation, is agriculture on wet and re-moistened peat soils. By keeping the peat areas moist, CO2 emissions and soil subsidence are minimized. This will be monitored extensively.
Objective
The aim is to work with the consortium at the three new paludiculture demonstration locations of more than 50 ha on concrete solutions that offer new perspectives for activities on peat meadow areas. In the Dutch demo we work specifically on biobased solutions from cattails, which greatly reduces the environmental impact of renovation.
Results
Provide insights into new agricultural business models, increased employment, reduced GHG emissions, improved biodiversity and water quality in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal.
Duration
01 February 2025 - 01 February 2029
Approach
A Center for Biobased and Ecological Opportunities (BEO) is being built on the demonstration site in the Burkmeerpolder to welcome guests from all over Europe. Products made from the Paludi exhibition will be exhibited in this Center of BEO. Utrecht University of Applied Sciences will work with fiber companies and Kingspan at this center through regular workshops and demonstrations. The cattail will also be grown and harvested here. With the project and the center, interested parties can see for themselves the possibilities of working with biobased fibers.
Impact on education
There is an increasing demand for biobased materials and at the same time there is a decrease in craftsmanship. How do we still achieve healthy buildings and biobased products? How can these circular buildings and products be designed and produced? How do we teach students to design and build with these biobased materials. This so that they, as the builders of tomorrow, first think of biobased materials and only then of alternatives.
