Cemeteries are not viewed as suitable locations for new construction.
Today, fewer individuals are opting for traditional burial methods, leading to more unused cemetery spaces. This has prompted scientists to question whether these areas should be repurposed to combat the current housing crisis.
In Germany, numerous cemeteries encompass a significant amount of land that is no longer needed for graves. The Technical University (TU) Berlin noted that around 340 hectares of land in Berlin's cemeteries are no longer required for burials.
Sylvia Butenschön from TU Berlin sheds light on the shift in burial practices, stating, "The reason for this is the evolution in the culture of mourning and burial since the 1980s." Nowadays, people prefer to be cremated, buried at sea or in forested areas. "Cemeteries used to expand significantly, necessitating their location outside of settlements and towns," further explained the landscape architect. "For the first time, we find ourselves in a situation where cemeteries possess an excess of space."
Cemeteries: More Than Burial Grounds
Butenschön and other researchers view cemeteries as more than just burial grounds. They consider them as natural havens teeming with rich wildlife and a melting pot of biodiversity. They are also considered to be "places for experiencing nature and cultural memory," as stressed by former TU professor Ingo Kowarik at a symposium on the transformation of historical cemeteries in Berlin in February.
Cemeteries feature a range of unique flora and fauna, with trees, shrubs, bushes, perennials, flowers, and grasses often found in these areas. In contrast to other green spaces, cemeteries may harbor evergreens.
Scientists advocate for preserving vacant cemetery areas as green spaces where possible. Developing redesign ideas for these cemeteries is important in order to maintain their ecological value. Considering the horticultural use of cemetery spaces no longer in demand is also an option. However, the idea of planting flowers like cabbage on old graves remains controversial, with Butenschön urging society to discuss its acceptability.
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- In the unused spaces of some German cemeteries, which cover around 340 hectares in Berlin, scientists are proposing the cultivation of mushrooms as a potential source of sustainable food, leveraging the organic matter and ideal humidity conditions.
- In discussion about the repurposing of cemetery land for residential construction, environmentalists argue that the ecosystems within these cemeteries, teeming with insects and serving as vital habitats for numerous species, must be preserved and integrated into any development plans to maintain biodiversity.
- As part of the ongoing research into cemeteries' ecological value, bacteria found in the soil have been discovered to exhibit potential in bioremediation, breaking down harmful chemicals and contributing to a greener, cleaner overall ecosystem in these spaces, which could have broader implications in the field of residential construction and urban planning.
Source: www.ntv.de
