Urban Development Shifts Toward Natural Landscapes
In a significant move towards enhancing the city's climate and quality of life, Düsseldorf's Vibrant Schoolyards initiative is underway. This project, financially supported by the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie with 500,000 euros, aims to redesign and revitalize school outdoor spaces, starting with St. Michael's School on Kempgensweg in Eller.
Annemiek Hogenbaum, the lottery's CEO, believes this project holds a significant impact, stating, "We are excited to support this initiative that not only improves the school environment but also contributes to a greener and more livable city."
Gisela Minz, principal of St. Michael's School, has long held a dream of a natural area on the schoolyard. Until now, children have had to be taken to parks to experience nature. With the Vibrant Schoolyards initiative, this dream is becoming a reality.
Sabine Tüllmann, chairwoman of the Bürgerstiftung, shares Minz's vision, aiming to bring nature back into the city through this project. The initiative teaches students about insects, fruits, vegetables, and environmental protection, fostering a sense of stewardship for the environment.
Work has begun at St. Michael's School, involving the removal of large amounts of concrete from a 250 square meter area. This space will be transformed into a blooming garden, complete with terraces for students and teachers to test their green thumbs by planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables or creating a flower meadow for insects.
The fenced-in area will also feature a playground suitable for children and teachers, with playground equipment integrated with natural elements to encourage active play and creativity.
The city of Düsseldorf is also contributing an additional 500,000 euros to the project. Mayor Thomas Geisel emphasizes that this project aligns perfectly with the city's plans to invest in schools and green spaces, stating, "We are proud to support this initiative that not only improves our schools but also contributes to a greener and more livable city."
Each participating school will have a unique, individually designed space. Landscape architect Joachim Reck from Oberhausen is responsible for the garden design at St. Michael's School.
In the coming months, more than twelve other schools in Düsseldorf will undergo a similar de-sealing process, as part of the Vibrant Schoolyards initiative by Düsseldorf's Bürgerstiftung in cooperation with the city. This project is set to transform traditional, often austere schoolyards into dynamic, green, and engaging environments that serve both as playgrounds and as blooming gardens.
Science plays a crucial role in the environmental-science aspects of the Vibrant Schoolyards initiative, as it educates students about insects, fruits, vegetables, and environmental protection. The project, backed by the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie and the city of Düsseldorf, also serves as an excellent platform for education-and-self-development, fostering a sense of stewardship for the environment.
