Why this magazine?
One post. More than 300,000 views. Dozens of reactions, messages, phone calls. What started as a spontaneously shared idea about rooftop sports and vitality grew into a vibrant movement in a matter of days. Municipalities, architects, sports entrepreneurs, designers, property developers, roof experts, they all came forward. With interest. With ideas. And above all: with urgency.
Because it is alive and well. The question is bigger than ever: How do we make cities healthier, more exercise-friendly and livable even when space is running out?
The answer is literally right above our heads. And that is exactly why we made this magazine.
Roofs with potential
At a time when cities are growing, land is scarce and sports participation is declining, we can no longer afford to continue seeing roofs as the 'technical final piece'. The days of empty square metres, installations, gravel and bitumen are over. Roofs are the city's forgotten space. But also: the most promising.
What if a roof not only offered protection, but also movement? What if you could play, meet, relax, breathe, play tennis, run or even skate? What if we could bring sports, green, water, energy and connection up to height?
In cities such as Copenhagen, Qingdao, Antwerp, Chongqing, Vilvoorde and Utrecht, this is already no longer a vision of the future it is everyday reality. This magazine shows those examples. And challenges you.
A movement that grows
We noticed it immediately after that one LinkedIn post: there is energy on this topic. Whether it is a padel court on a corporate building, a sports field on a car park, or a green meeting space on a school roof - it touches something fundamental. The desire for more space to live healthy lives. To be outdoors. To move. To meet.
At Sports + Vitality, we have been linking supply and demand in the field of vitality, sports and living environments for years. But this explosion of interest on one theme - sports on the roof - was exceptional. And fair? It tasted like more.
That's why we decided to move quickly. This magazine is a first result of that spontaneous movement. A way of inspiring, connecting and showing what is already possible - provided you dare to think differently.
From inspiration to action
We didn't make this magazine for the stage. We don't want 'pretty pictures on paper'. What we do want: to cause movement. Literally and figuratively.
- We want to bring parties together: from roofers to sports associations, from school boards to property developers.
- We want to make examples visible: what does work? What can already be done tomorrow?
- And we want to start new pilots: in the Netherlands and abroad.
That is why this magazine is also part of a larger initiative: an online platform, inspiration trips to European pioneering cities (such as Copenhagen, Helsinki, Rotterdam), and a growing network of innovators at the intersection of city, health and space use.
Why it matters
Because let's face it. The challenges are piling up:
- Fewer children are moving enough.
- The mental health of young people is under pressure.
- There is too little space for sports, green, meeting.
- Public space is fragmented and often underused.
And yet we have square kilometres of roof in the Netherlands with literally nothing happening to it.
It is time for a new way of looking at things.
From residual space to opportunity space. From roofing to urban development. From technology to meaning.
You make the difference
Whether you are a municipal official, entrepreneur, policymaker, designer, sports professional or just someone with a good idea: you can make a difference. Maybe it starts with a simple question: What happens on your roof?
We invite you. To think with us. To participate. To help build. And above all: to look up.
Because that is where the future of our cities lies.
Together we make impact
With this magazine, we don't just want to share stories, we want to open doors. To cooperation. To creativity. To concrete implementation.
And yes, this is just the beginning. There will be more editions. More examples. More collaborations. Because if it is up to us, rooftops will soon become the most active, healthy and surprising part of the city.
Look up. The space is already there. You just have to dare to use it.
Marcel de Visser Co-Founder Sports + Vitality
