Urban Climate Improvement Highlighted: Small Gardens Praise by Minister of Construction, Geywitz
In the heart of Berlin, the Federal Association of Allotment Garden Associations in Germany e.V. (BKD) has opened its new federal center. This modern, sustainable building serves as a hub for the promotion of allotment gardens and their role in urban development.
The BKD's new center, located in the Neukölln district at Hermannstraße 186, 12049 Berlin (near U-Bahnhof Leinestraße), is a testament to the organization's commitment to sustainable urban practices. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing to 90%, the center boasts a striking design in sustainable timber construction.
The center is not just a physical space but a beacon for the future of allotment gardens. It hosts the interactive permanent exhibition "City | Nature | Human", which illustrates the development, significance, and potential of allotment gardens for urban development. The center also served as the venue for the international specialist congress "Allotment Gardens in Europe: Green for All", focusing on societal and climate challenges and proactive solutions for the allotment garden sector.
Allotment gardens, or Schrebergärten in German, are small plots of land used for gardening by individuals. They play a significant role in promoting sustainable urban practices. By providing green spaces, allotment gardens help mitigate the urban heat island effect and absorb carbon dioxide. They also foster community involvement in urban planning and environmental conservation, potentially influencing local policies on green areas and sustainability.
Moreover, allotment gardens enhance urban biodiversity, support climate resilience, and serve as community hubs, encouraging social interaction and a sense of community responsibility towards the environment. They can also serve as educational platforms to raise awareness about sustainable gardening practices and their benefits for urban climates.
The BKD's new center is more than just an exhibition and congress venue. It is a house of education and seminars, with a "Green Classroom" set to open in the outdoor area from spring 2025. This space will provide resources for education on sustainable development.
The BKD represents approximately 900,000 allotment gardeners in Germany and is the headquarters of the Federal Association of German Allotment Garden Associations and the German Schreber Youth Federation. The latter contributes to the renewal of the BKD.
For more information about the BKD's new center, events, or initiatives, please contact Sandra von Rekowski at [email protected] or 030-278783820. You can also visit the BKD's website at www.kleingarten-bund.de/bundeszentrum/ for the latest updates.
- The interactive permanent exhibition at the BKD's new center, "City | Nature | Human", showcases the role of environmental-science, specifically allotment gardens, in urban development and climate-change mitigation.
- In the spirit of promoting sustainable lifestyles, the BKD's Green Classroom, due to open in the outdoor area from spring 2025, will offer resources for education on environmental-science and sustainable development, including gardening techniques for home-and-garden enthusiasts.
- By supporting the BKD, one is not only backing urban gardening and community engagement but also contributing to the advancement of science and the environment.
