Environment - Green lungs in the city: Mannheim gets Tiny Forest
The first Tiny Forest (micro-forest) in Baden-Württemberg is to be created in Mannheim. "We want to improve the urban climate with small green lungs," said Ulrich Holl, Chairman of the Bürger-Interessen-Gemeinschaft (BIG) Lindenhof. After two years of preparatory work, the city has made a brownfield site available for a mini-forest. Such a project was realized in Darmstadt in 2021. These 100 to 2000 square meter oases now also exist in Berlin, Hamburg and other cities.
In the northern Baden metropolis, native trees and shrubs are planted close together on an area of 300 square meters. Three seedlings are planted on one square meter of ground. The microforests offer birds and insects a new habitat and contribute to carbon dioxide sequestration and local cooling.
The location in Lindenhof is one of the hottest in the city due to the many tall apartment buildings without fresh air, explained Holl. The citizens' initiative hopes that the example will set a precedent in other parts of the city and beyond. The project is financed by BIG, which raises donations from companies and private individuals.
The Tiny Forest concept originates from Japanese biologist Akira Miyawaki, who was the first to plant small, dense urban forests. The Baden-Württemberg Nature Conservation Association has an ambivalent view of this type of reforestation. According to LNV head Gerhard Bronner, dense tree populations prevent people from walking on them. In addition, a large proportion of the trees would die during the growth phase due to competition. It is therefore necessary to examine on a case-by-case basis whether Tiny Forests are the best solution or rather a classic small park or other loose planting with trees. In general, planting in urban areas can make a lot of sense.
According to the city of Mannheim, it has examined various locations. The criteria were sufficient space, ownership, use by residents, water connection and previous planting. In spring 2024, analyses of the plant population, soil quality and, if necessary, soil preparation for reforestation are to begin.
Info about the Miyawaki method Info about BIG Lindenhof
Read also:
- A clan member is punished here
- Traffic lawyer warns: Don't talk to the police!
- Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
- He also wanted to kill his cousin
- The concept of Tiny Forests, originating from Japanese biologist Akira Miyawaki, has also been implemented in cities like Berlin and Hamburg, besides Mannheim in Baden-Württemberg.
- Despite some reservations from organizations like the Baden-Württemberg Nature Conservation Association, the Tiny Forest in Mannheim's Lindenhof promises to provide a new habitat for birds and insects while contributing to carbon dioxide sequestration and local cooling.
- Similar initiatives, aimed at improving urban climate by creating small green lungs, have been seen in cities like Tokyo in Japan and Hamburg in Germany.
- The Municipalities of Tokyo and Hamburg, like Mannheim, have recognized the importance of green spaces in cities, recognizing their role in improving air quality and reducing heat island effects.
- The city of Darmstadt in Germany, like Mannheim, has also taken steps to create Tiny Forests, recognizing the potential benefits of these micro-forests for the environment, climate, and local communities.
- The concept of Tiny Forests is gaining traction worldwide, with cities embracing the idea of creating small, densely planted forests to improve the urban environment and promote biodiversity.
Source: www.stern.de
