A Key Factor in Sustainable Urban Planning
The term “sponge city” is on everyone’s lips. Why is this concept so forward-looking for urban greenery?
Claudia von Freyberg: For decades, those responsible in municipalities were focused on draining surface water and rainwater as quickly as possible. Today, things are different. Urban areas are suffering from overheating, city trees receive too little water during hot periods, and the quality of life for city residents is declining. This is why sustainable urban planning is in demand — and the sponge city concept is part of that. This approach is primarily about retaining as much of the water that falls within the urban area as possible.
Is Climate Adaptation Costly and Complex — or Not?
Green roofs and facade greening, alongside tree planting, are established but planning-intensive measures for enabling climate adaptation and promoting biodiversity.
What low-threshold measures do you recommend for landscape contractors as an alternative or supplement?
Claudia von Freyberg: In urban environments, a number of things can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively. These include, for example:
- Mowing lawn areas (excluding play and recreation lawns) only twice a year and maintaining them extensively
- Clearing overgrown shrub monocultures from setback areas and replacing them with species-rich, site-appropriate seeding or perennial planting
- Unsealing surfaces where paved areas are rarely used
- Creating infiltration swales, for example alongside paths and car parks
Even modest measures add up — are there funding opportunities available for municipalities?
Claudia von Freyberg: I recommend the website of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz). Under the section “Funding and Financing”, interested parties will find valuable information on a range of funding programmes. Funding is available from the federal government as well as from individual states. The website also covers topics such as fundraising and the arrangement of sponsorships.