The redevelopment of the 800-metre-long Grotestraat is distinctive because of its green-blue structure with a climate-adaptive wadi (bioswale) and water-bearing plant pockets around the trees. The redevelopment has resulted in an attractive, healthy and liveable city centre on the border of the Sallandse Heuvelrug and the Reggedal.  

The substantial decrease in motorised traffic has led to more space for pedestrians and cyclists and good facilities for bicycle parking. Existing cafes and restaurants along the climate wadi have been given space for terraces directly adjacent to the wadi. Between the trees, there is also room for public (free) seating and a groundwater controlled water playground has been created in the centre of the wadi. The wadi forms both a spatial centre of gravity and a relaxed and shady place to stay. During the summer period, the street is closed to car traffic for a number of days to provide extra space for events and festivities.

Sustainable technical solutions for water management, water collection and drainage make the city centre of Nijverdal area climate-adaptive, thus resistant to recent climate developments with periods of extreme precipitation and periods of severe drought and heat in summer. No other place in the Netherlands takes extreme rainfall, drought and heat into account in this way.

This project has been awarded the Water Resilient Cities Award 2019 for 'The best sustainable drainage system for rainwater in an urban environment'.  The annual Water Resilient Cities (WRC) Award recognises the best projects using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.