In May 2025, Breda in the Netherlands was officially recognized as the first National Park City within the European Union, marking a milestone in Europe’s urban sustainability movement. The designation was granted by the National Park City Foundation in collaboration with Salzburg Global and World Urban Parks, following a rigorous peer review and on-site assessment of Breda’s environmental strategies and community-driven green initiatives.
This achievement reflects Breda’s long-term efforts to bring nature back into its urban landscape—restoring the river Mark, revitalizing wetlands, replacing concrete with green corridors, promoting rooftop gardens, and expanding community food gardens. Today, nearly 60% of the city is covered by green space, including historic Mastbos forest, parks, waterways, and nature reserves. With this recognition, Breda aims to become one of Europe’s most nature-rich cities by 2030, setting a blueprint for sustainable urban living. More