1. SET COMMUNITY GARDENS, IJburg-Amsterdam, The Netherlands

SET is a place where status holders(*), students, and all neighborhood residents can meet, work, do gardening together, practice Dutch and develop further. After the community garden vision & design implementation by N.Tayfun Yalcin, SET has become an example of informal integration and connection place, in Amsterdam and more.
(*) A status holder is a refugee who has been granted a residence permit on the basis of an asylum application.
Tayfun has played a pivotal role in the development and success of the SET Community Gardens. His collaboration with community leaders, such as Dora Djamila Mester, led to the creation of a vibrant, multicultural garden space that fosters social integration and sustainability.
Under Tayfun’s guidance, the SET Community Gardens have transformed into a green oasis that not only provides a space for residents to connect with nature but also serves as a hub for cultural exchange and community building. The project’s excellence in sustainability and community engagement was recognized with the prestigious New European Bauhaus prize in the category of “Sustainability, Regaining a Sense of Belonging, and Beauty.”

In addition to his design and implementation efforts, Tayfun actively engages the community through workshops and presentations. For instance, he hosted a session titled “Designed, Intentional, Sustainable Community”, where he discussed the role of permaculture in addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.

2. STADSKAS TUIN VAN TOOROP, West Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Tayfun played a pivotal role in the development of Stadskas Tuin van Toorop, a community garden in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Initiated by local resident Maaike Belder and neighbors, the project transformed unused grassland near Jan Tooropstraat 8 into a thriving green space. Yalcin designed and implemented the garden in 2020 using permaculture concept & techniques, incorporating features like Hügelkultur beds and rainwater harvesting systems. The garden now boasts fruit and nut trees, mixed flowers, and vegetables, serving as a valuable social and environmental asset for the community.
Through his expertise and ongoing engagement, Tayfun has significantly contributed to the establishment and success of Stadskas Tuin van Toorop, fostering community cohesion and sustainable urban living.

3. BOSTUIN BUIKSLOTERMEERPARK, North Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This project involved the creation of a public food forest within Buikslotermeerpark. Tayfun’s design focused on permaculture principles, promoting biodiversity and providing a sustainable food source for the community & the neighbourhood.
Through his efforts, Bostuin Buikslotermeerpark has become a thriving green space that fosters community engagement, environmental education, and sustainable urban agriculture. Tayfun’s work exemplifies his commitment to transforming underutilized urban areas into productive and ecologically harmonious environments.

N.Tayfun Yalcin is a Permaculture & Sustainable Landscape Designer, consultant, and teacher based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He is the founder of Towards Nature Permaculture Landscaping, a company dedicated to creating sustainable, regenerative, and productive environments. His work encompasses the design and creation of school gardens, community gardens, food forests, and sustainable agricultural communities. He has designed and implemented more than 10 Community gardens in Amsterdam area and 3 school gardens with using Permaculture concept.

Tayfun’s passion lies in transforming underutilized urban spaces into socially cohesive, environmentally friendly, and economically sustainable areas. He emphasizes the importance of building sustainable communities rather than just structures, advocating for a shift in mindset towards regenerative living.
Through his work, Tayfun aims to inspire a global movement towards sustainable and regenerative lifestyles, demonstrating that with a change in perspective, new and beneficial ways of living are within reach.

N.Tayfun Yalcin’s approach to his work is deeply rooted in permaculture principles, sustainability, and community-driven design. His philosophy extends beyond traditional landscaping, aiming to create regenerative ecosystems that support both people and nature. Tayfun doesn’t just design green spaces—he builds ecosystems that thrive over time.
He focuses on closed-loop systems, where waste becomes a resource, and landscapes are self-sustaining.Techniques like Hügelkultur, food forests, and rainwater harvesting are integral to his designs. Rather than imposing designs, Tayfun co-creates gardens with local communities. He involves residents in decision-making, ensuring gardens reflect their needs, culture, and values. His goal is not just to build gardens but to build sustainable communities through shared green spaces.

His designs blend biodiversity, food production, and social interaction. Instead of separate “gardens,” he creates dynamic spaces that serve as educational hubs, community meeting places, and urban farms. He doesn’t just create gardens—he teaches others how to sustain them. He runs workshops and lectures on permaculture, urban gardening, and regenerative agriculture. Tayfun’s work is about changing mindsets as much as landscapes. He believes that with a shift in perspective, cities can become greener, more sustainable, and socially connected—not just places to live, but places to thrive in harmony with nature.