"Color change from gray to green"
The city of Düsseldorf is taking significant strides in promoting environmental sustainability with the introduction of the "Grey Out, Green In" unsealing action. This initiative, part of the larger Ground Air competition, aims to transform sealed urban surfaces into green, permeable areas, enhancing urban ecology and improving sustainability.
The Ground Air Competition
The Ground Air competition is a contest designed to champion innovative urban green projects. It encourages municipalities, organisations, and citizens to propose and implement plans that reduce sealed surfaces, increase green spaces, and improve air quality in urban environments.
Funding Support
The Ground Air competition offers financial assistance to selected projects like the "Grey Out, Green In" action. This funding helps cover costs associated with unsealing paved areas and planting greenery, including soil preparation, planting trees or shrubs, and creating permeable ground coverings that improve water absorption and reduce urban heat.
Benefits of the Initiative
The benefits of the unsealing action are manifold:
- Environmental: By creating habitats for plants, insects, and animals, the initiative increases urban biodiversity.
- Climate Resilience: Enhanced natural water management is achieved as rainwater can seep into the ground, reducing runoff and flood risks.
- Air Quality: The addition of vegetation that absorbs CO2 and pollutants improves air quality.
- Urban Heat Island Mitigation: Green spaces lower temperatures in city areas by providing shade and through evapotranspiration.
- Community Well-being: The creation of more visually pleasant and healthier environments promotes outdoor activities and social interaction.
Encouraging Citizen Participation
The new unsealing program offers citizens a simple and uncomplicated way to get involved, thanks to the digital funding program. Mayor Stephan Keller encourages citizens to transform sealed surfaces into green oases and take advantage of the city's new funding offer.
Financing Details
The city offers financial support for private engagement in unsealing surfaces: 25 euros per square meter unsealed, with a minimum area of five square meters.
A Step Towards Climate Adaptation
Climate adaptation measures are an important building block for Düsseldorf to counteract the effects of climate change, according to Mobility and Environment Director Jochen Kral. The "Grey Out, Green In" unsealing action, inspired by the successful "Tegelwippen" action in the Netherlands, is a significant step towards making Düsseldorf greener and climate-adapted.
For more information about the Ground Air competition and the unsealing action, visit https://bodenluft.net/. The city's social media channels also provide informative and accessible information on the unsealing process, with illustrative posts and practical tips. The Provinzial insurance company is also encouraging people, associations, and businesses to participate in the Ground Air competition. An accompanying short film shows the step-by-step process of unsealing a sealed surface.
- The Ground Air competition in Düsseldorf encourages municipalities, organizations, and citizens to submit innovative plans aimed at reducing sealed urban surfaces, increasing green spaces, and improving air quality, as part of its ongoing effort to enhance sustainability.
- The city is offering financial assistance to selected projects like the "Grey Out, Green In" initiative, helping cover costs associated with unsealing paved areas and planting greenery, while promoting environmental benefits such as increased urban biodiversity, climate resilience, and air quality improvement.
- The unsealing action provides opportunities for citizens to get involved through a digital funding program, transforming sealed surfaces into green oases and taking advantage of the city's financial support of 25 euros per square meter unsealed, with a minimum area of five square meters.
- The Ground Air competition’s digital platform offers educational resources, including informative social media posts, illustrative content, and a short film demonstrating the step-by-step process of unsealing a sealed surface.
- The "Grey Out, Green In" unsealing action represents a significant step towards climate adaptation for Düsseldorf, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives like the "Tegelwippen" action in the Netherlands, and aligning with the city's wider policy and legislative objectives for sustainable living and environmental science.
