Urban Reef – a Dutch sustainability-focused startup – is on a mission to bring nature back to urban areas by transforming cityscapes into ecosystems for plants using 3D printing.
The project aims to bridge the gap between urban living and nature while also helping to combat pollution and climate change.
Urban Reef uses 3D printers designed to work with fluid-dense materials like ceramics and clay to create “reefs” – open-ended habitats that encourage the growth and diversity of life in urban settings.
These structures are made using bio-based algorithms and are porous, which allows them to retain water and provide refuge for many urban species, boosting local biodiversity.
Unlike traditional green spaces like parks, Urban Reef’s living structures form dynamic ecosystems that actively contribute to urban sustainability. These 3D-printed habitats filter air, support biodiversity, absorb rainwater, regulate humidity, and cool local microclimates, helping to improve the urban environment.
“Modern urban development often overlooks the natural dynamics of ecosystems, leading to cities that exclude or disrupt nature,” Urban Reef’s co-founder Pierre Oskam told Springwise.
To address this, Oksam said the group designs structures that are “a step towards re-wildling cities”.
Urban Reef works with urban planners, architects, communities, and local governments to achieve its vision, integrating its solutions into broader development strategies.
The company is also exploring new applications for its living structures, such as enhancing stormwater management and increasing carbon sequestration.
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