Why this magazine One post. Over 300,000 views. Dozens of comments, messages and phone calls. What began as a spontaneous idea about sports and vitality on rooftops quickly grew into a movement. Municipalities, architects, sports entrepreneurs, designers, developers and rooftop specialists all reached out with interest, with ideas and, above all, with urgency.
Because the need is real. The question is more pressing than ever: How do we create healthier, more active and more livable cities when space is becoming increasingly scarce? The answer is right above us. That is exactly why we created this magazine.
Rooftops with potential As cities expand, land becomes limited and participation in sports continues to decline, we can no longer afford to see rooftops as mere technical afterthoughts. The time of unused square meters, gravel and ventilation systems is over. Rooftops are not just the city’s forgotten space, they are its greatest opportunity.
What if a roof did more than provide shelter? What if it created space to move, connect, breathe, play tennis, run or even skate? What if we could bring sports, nature, water, renewable energy and human connection to new heights?
In cities like Copenhagen, Qingdao, Antwerp, Chongqing, Vilvoorde and Utrecht, this is no longer a vision, it is already happening. This magazine highlights those examples and invites you to imagine what more is possible.
A growing movement The momentum was clear from that very first post: this idea has energy. From a padel court on a corporate rooftop to a football pitch on top of a parking garage, or a green meeting space above a school, it all taps into something essential. A shared longing for more space to live healthily, to be outdoors, to move and to connect.
At Sports + Vitality, we have spent years linking supply and demand in the world of sports, vitality and urban well-being. But the response to this single theme, sports on rooftops, was unlike anything we had ever seen. And honestly? We wanted more. So we acted.
This magazine is the first result of that spontaneous momentum. A way to inspire, to connect and to show what is already possible if you are willing to look at rooftops differently.
From inspiration to action We didn’t create this magazine for show. It’s not about glossy pictures on paper. What we do want is to spark movement, both literally and figuratively. We want to bring parties together: from roofers to sports federations, from school boards to project developers. We want to make examples visible: What works? What can be done as soon as tomorrow? And we want to launch new pilots, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
That’s why this magazine is part of a broader initiative: an online platform, inspiration trips to pioneering European cities such as Copenhagen, Helsinki and Rotterdam, and a growing network of innovators at the intersection of urban development, health and spatial use.
Why this matters Let’s be honest: the challenges are piling up. Fewer children are getting enough exercise. Young people’s mental health is under pressure. There’s too little space for sports, greenery and social connection. Public space is fragmented and often underused. And yet, the Netherlands has square kilometers of rooftops that remain entirely unused.
It’s time for a new perspective. From leftover space to opportunity space. From roofing to city making. From technology to meaning. You can make the difference. Whether you’re a municipal officer, entrepreneur, policymaker, designer, sports professional or simply someone with a good idea, you can make a difference. Perhaps it starts with one simple question: what’s happening on your roof?
We invite you to think along, to join in, to help build. And above all: to look up. Because that’s where the future of our cities lies.
Creating impact together With this magazine we don’t just want to share stories, we want to open doors. To collaboration. To creativity. To concrete action.
And yes, this is only the beginning. More editions will follow. More examples. More partnerships. Because if it’s up to us, rooftops will soon become the most active, healthy and surprising spaces in the city. Look up. The space is already there. You just have to dare to use it.
Marcel de Visser Co-Founder Sports + Vitality
