In the new VU Librar y exhibition "Heading Outdoors" (Naar Buiten), the Nature-Based Pedag ogy (NBP) Research Cluster of the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) contributes insights into the role of nature in education and w ell-being. Through the perspectives of researchers involved in Plato� ��s Garden, the cluster connects historical ideas about the benefits of nature and fresh air with contemporary approaches to learning in a nd with nature.
Body and Mind in the City from the 19th Century Onwards
The exhibition Heading Outdoors (Naar Buiten) is on display in the heritage showcase at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Through histor ical maps, books and archival documents, it explores how nineteenth-c entury cities were viewed as sources of disease and how the belief gr ew that nature and fresh air contributed to better health. It aims to showcase the body and Mind in the City from the 19th Century Onwards .
From psychiatric institutions in the dunes to public parks an d health colonies for workers’ children, this ideal took many forms . The exhibition also connects these historical perspectives to conte mporary challenges, highlighting the continued importance of nature f or health and well-being.
The Amsterdam Sustainability Institute� ��s (ASI) Nature-Based Pedagogy (NBP) Research Cluster, also known as Plato’s Garden, contributes to the exhib ition by highlighting how learning in and with nature can foster ecol ogical awareness, student well-being and more sustainable approaches to higher education.
Karen Verduijn, Associate Professor of Entrepreneur ship at VU Amsterdam and co-initiator of Plato’s Garden, i s featured in the exhibition. She shares her perspective on the impor tance of nature-based learning in higher education, highlighting how direct experiences with nature can foster ecological awareness, stude nt well-being and a deeper understanding of our relationship with the natural world.
The Natur e-Based Pedagogy Research Cluster brings together educators, rese archers and students from across VU Amsterdam and beyond to explore a nd advance nature-based approaches to higher education.
Known a s Plato’s Garden, the cluster promotes embodied and experi ential learning through methods such as ecowalks and art- and nature- based activities. Its aim is to strengthen ecological awareness, crea tivity, well-being and sustainable action while fostering interdiscip linary collaboration and innovation in education.
We regularly organise accessible meetings and walks and welcomes opportunities for collaboration.
Location:< /strong> Heritage showcase, near the VU Library entrance, first floor of the Main Building, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Wh en to visit: 1 october 2026 - 18 december 2026
Online exhibition: Naar Buiten – Heading Outdo ors (available in Dutch and English).
Admission: Free of charge.
DESCRIPTION: In the new VU Library exhibition "Heading Outdoors" (Naar Buiten), the Nature-Based Pedagogy (NBP) Research Cluster of the Ams terdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) contributes insights into the r ole of nature in education and well-being. Through the perspectives o f researchers involved in Plato’s Garden, the cluster connects hist orical ideas about the benefits of nature and fresh air with contempo rary approaches to learning in and with nature. Body and Mind in the City from the 19th Century Onwards