Triangle-shaped Döner establishment
In the heart of Koblenz, changes are afoot as the city's garden department prepares to transform a previously unoccupied area into a welcoming seating space. This initiative is part of a broader movement to encourage the unsealing and greening of urban spaces, a trend that started in the Netherlands in 2020.
The Klimakollektiv Koblenz, an organization dedicated to environmental action, has been instrumental in bringing this movement to the city. They recently held an event at Dönner-Dreieck, known as "Entdeckeln" in Koblenz, which originated as "Pflasterumdrehen" in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, the University of Applied Sciences in Koblenz has taken the lead in promoting this cause, organizing the first nationwide "unsealing" competition this year. The competition aims to encourage the unsealing and greening of areas, regardless of their size, to provide space for climbing plants and contribute to climate protection and biodiversity.
The benefits of such initiatives are manifold. Soils and vegetation are crucial for CO2 storage and serve as habitats for numerous species. Moreover, unsealed and greened areas, trees, and building greening significantly contribute to the "sponge city" principle, a strategy aimed at retaining and storing rainfall instead of directly channeling it into the canalization. This principle is crucial in mitigating the severe effects of climate change, such as heat, drought, and heavy rain, that inner cities, particularly those that are highly sealed, often experience.
In line with these initiatives, the location for the recycling bins in Koblenz has been moved to Walltorstraße 36. Before the area is planted, the bicycle racks will be replaced to make way for the new greenery.
Elsewhere in the city, the House of Sustainability e.V., the German Trade Union Confederation, and the Giessen Unemployed Initiative e.V., with support from the city of Giessen, are organizing an environmental action in front of the DGB building at Walltorstraße 17. The objective of this action is to improve the area's environment and quality of stay, addressing illegal waste deposits around recycling bins.
Anyone can participate in the unsealing and greening competition, including associations, schools, private individuals, administrations, and companies. For more information and support, visit the House of Sustainability e.V.'s website at www.hdn-website/unsealing.
Two events were held in Giessen by the House of Sustainability e.V., discussing the "sponge city" principle and blue-green infrastructure. These events underscore the growing importance of such initiatives in promoting a greener, more sustainable urban environment.
As Koblenz continues to embrace these green initiatives, the city is set to become a shining example of urban sustainability, demonstrating that even small changes can have a significant impact on the environment and the quality of life for its citizens.
