Amsterdam's pot crackdown: pavement gardeners bemused over city's new rules

Residents have reacted with bemusement at plans by authorities in Amsterdam to crack down on what it sees as a plague of messy plant pots.

- Senay Boztas

In an approach labelled "Operation Plantpot" by the local press, the Dutch capital's central district is limiting residents to two pots with footprints no larger than 50cm by 50cm, made of "sustainable" material and placed against their front wall. Rogue gardens of pots in parking spots and under trees will be confiscated, according to the policy memo.

At a central district council meeting on Tuesday, the district chair, Amélie Strens, said neglected pots were unattractive, bad for biodiversity and made facilities less accessible for those with mobility aids and pushchairs.

"A work experience person spent several days going around the district and made an inventory of more than 900 pots," she said. "They no longer look like beautiful, attractive plant pots. Stickers will be put on them with the question: 'Do I belong to anyone? Adopt me!' and a QR code. If someone doesn't respond within six weeks... the city will clean them up."