summary:Get to know the Common Dirt of Charlois; from the neglected patches of soil around the platan trees to the community-run street gardens. During the autumn excursion we will investigate how nature finds its way through the urban planning of Rotterdam.
Get to know the Common Dirt of Charlois; from the neglected patches of soil around the platan trees to the community-run street gardens. Together we will investigate how nature finds its way through the urban planning and technological infrastructure of Rotterdam. Accompanied by ecologist **André de Baerdemaeker** we will explore Charlois and its surrounding area, and discover what thrives between asphalt and concrete.
**Common Dirt** is an ongoing series of events organized by **Varia**, in which we take a critical look at the cross-connections between biology and technology in Rotterdam. Every season we investigate how these two influence each other and how developments in nature and urban policy are entangled. Central to this is an interwoven vision of urban nature, in which the way nature accomodates to city life offers hints and hints for our own survival in times of growing urbanization. Our Autumn excursion will start at the gate of **Stadsboerderij De Molenwei.**
This series falls under Varia's **Homebrewing** research thread. Through this research we aim to co-create understandings through collaboratively experimenting with others, and de-mystify current technological practices in order to share and question them more easily.
**André De Baerdemaeker** is an ecologist for [Bureau Stadsnatuur](https://www.bureaustadsnatuur.nl/) at the [Natural History Museum Rotterdam](https://www.hetnatuurhistorisch.nl/). He previously worked as a biology teacher in secondary education. He is also a volunteer chairman of the board of [Vogelklas Karel Schot](https://www.vogelklas.nl/), the bird sanctuary in the South of Rotterdam and the surrounding area. He was also involved in the nai010 publication 'Making Urban Nature' of [De Natuurlijke Stad](https://natuurlijkestad.nl/). As a born and bred Rotterdammer, André has always been concerned with the city's nature. There are few streets where he hasn't looked at a bird at some point.
**Starting Point:** Stadsboerderij De Molenwei (Brammertstraat 10, Rotterdam). In front of the entrance gate, next to Sporthal De Wielewaal: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/aij49tbY5WR4dfn5A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/aij49tbY5WR4dfn5A)
This project is supported by the [Creative Industries Fund NL](https://www.stimuleringsfonds.nl/).</small>
