Ulm's Unpave the Way Transforms Gutenbergstraße into a Green Oasis by 2026
Ulm is taking part in a 2026 competition to transform sealed urban areas into green spaces. The city's project, Unpave the Way, will focus on Gutenbergstraße, a street between Staufenring and Nagelstraße. Work begins in March, with a public launch event scheduled for March 20 at Am Sudhaus Square.
The initiative kicks off officially on March 21, 2026, and will run until October 31. Residents are invited to help by documenting, removing, and reporting sealed surfaces via the platform www.unpave.org. The project will also be recorded on the global unpave database.
Gutenbergstraße will undergo a full redesign, removing most paved surfaces. Six new trees and various perennials will be planted, alongside seating areas for public use. The goal is to create a cooler, greener street that reduces urban heat and improves the local microclimate. Beyond aesthetics, the project targets practical benefits. Rainwater will seep into the ground more easily, cutting flood risks. New green spaces will also support biodiversity, offering habitats for insects, birds, and plants. The work is expected to finish by April 7, 2026. Weißenburg is among the other cities joining the competition, though no exact number of German participants has been confirmed.
Once complete, the redesigned Gutenbergstraße will provide a cooler, more pleasant environment for residents. The project also sets a precedent for future urban greening efforts in Ulm. Further updates will be shared as the initiative progresses.
