Cover Image: “City Centers as Green Hotspots – Where Gray Once Dominated, Lush Green Will Provide Fresh Air and Cooling in the Future” – SOURCE: (R) Stiftung Altes Neuland Frankfurt, GNU

 

De-sealing Land in the Alpine Region – Municipal Implementation

The primary focus is on de-sealing and restoring natural soil functions to combat the ongoing loss of soil due to urban, transportation, and other land uses.

The increasing pressure on land use leads to further sealing, endangering the natural functions of soil. Soil functions are crucial for water management, climate protection, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity promotion. The limited space available for settlements and agricultural areas demands urgent measures to reduce land consumption.

 

Key Actions

  • Analysis of existing de-sealing approaches and potentials.
  • Development of monitoring methods, legal tools, and incentives for municipalities.
  • Preparation of planning foundations and prioritization criteria, GIS-based identification of relevant areas (GIS = Geographic Information Systems).
  • Creation of an action plan for implementing de-sealing measures.
  • Design of a competition concept to encourage innovative de-sealing measures and public outreach to support the competition.
  • On-site visits and workshops to raise awareness, creation of communication materials for public outreach and social media, and online exchange workshops to discuss innovative solutions.

 

De-sealing in the City of Bern (CH)

Possible Approaches for De-Sealing Strategies

  1. Removal of Asphalt and Concrete: Demolition of unused roads, parking lots, or paved areas, converting them into green spaces or open soil structures.
  2. Permeable Surfaces: Use of water-permeable paving stones, grass grid pavers, gravel lawns, or other alternative materials.
  3. Renaturation: Restoration of natural river courses and reactivation of wetlands and peatlands.
  4. Green Roofs: Greening flat or sloped roofs to reduce sealed areas, improve rainwater retention, and enhance biodiversity.
  5. De-Sealing in Urban Areas: Conversion of inner-city concrete surfaces into parks and de-sealing of schoolyards and other public spaces.
  6. Temporary Land Use: Temporary greening of vacant lots, creating community gardens or urban agriculture projects.
  7. Redesigning Traffic Areas: Narrowing roadways, widening green strips, and transforming parking lots into green zones.
  8. Promotion of Natural Infiltration: Integration of swale infiltration systems, infiltration basins, or retention areas to capture and delay rainwater.
  9. Preservation of Existing Green Spaces: Protecting unsealed soils and green spaces from further development and integrating de-sealing measures into spatial planning.
  10. Incentives and Support: Financial assistance for private and commercial de-sealing projects, as well as consultation and education on the benefits of de-sealing.

 

Arguments for De-Sealing Measures and Their Potential

Environmental and Climate Protection

  • Temperature Regulation: De-sealed areas help lower temperatures, especially in urban settings.
  • Enhanced Water Infiltration: Promotes groundwater recharge and natural filtration.
  • Resilience to Extreme Weather: Increases resilience to heavy rainfall and drought events.
  • Habitat Creation: Provides habitats for plants and animals.
  • Climate Action: Green spaces absorb CO₂, contributing to climate mitigation.

Infiltration Basin – (R) Stiftung Altes Neuland Frankfurt GNU

Water Management

  • Reduced Surface Runoff: Mitigates flooding during heavy rain.
  • Cleaner Water Bodies: Soil filters rainwater, reducing pollution in rivers and lakes.
  • Lower System Strain: Reduces pressure on drainage systems and wastewater treatment plants.

Health and Quality of Life

  • Air Quality Improvement: Plants bind fine dust and filter pollutants.
  • Noise Reduction: Green spaces absorb sound better than paved surfaces.
  • Stress Reduction: Natural environments promote mental well-being.
  • Urban Recreation: Creates leisure spaces within cities.

Tree Cushion: This Is How Biodiversity Is Created on a Small Scale – Stiftung Altes Neuland Frankfurt GNU

Ecological Potential

  • Soil Restoration: Reinstates soil as a CO₂ reservoir and habitat.
  • Cooling and Air Circulation: Vegetation cools surroundings and enhances air flow.
  • Biodiversity Promotion: Establishes biotopes to support flora and fauna.

Socioeconomic Benefits

  • Cost Savings: Reduces expenses for drainage systems and flood defenses.
  • Enhanced Attractiveness: Green spaces make residential and business areas more appealing.
  • Tourism and Recreation: Nature-rich regions attract visitors and recreation-seekers.
  • Job Creation: Generates employment in landscaping, greening, and maintenance.

Spatial and Urban Planning

  • Future-Ready Cities: Green integration fosters livable and sustainable urban areas.
  • Walkability and Accessibility: Boosts urban appeal through accessible green spaces.
  • Community Projects: De-sealed areas can host community gardens or urban farming.

Education and Awareness

  • Learning Opportunities: De-sealed areas offer space for environmental education and nature experiences.
  • Sustainability Models: De-sealing projects serve as tangible examples of sustainable practices.

Long-Term Sustainability

  • Flexible Land Use: Allows adaptation to future spatial needs.
  • Material Reuse: Supports recycling during demolition of sealed surfaces.
  • Climate Goals: Contributes to achieving national and international climate targets.

De-sealing is a crucial key to a sustainable, future-oriented, and livable environment that meets the demands of climate adaptation and resource conservation.

 

The project aims to develop practical and transferable solutions for land de-sealing and sustainable spatial planning through collaboration between academia, municipalities, and national and regional institutions. The two pilot municipalities serve as test and implementation examples to evaluate best practices and create a handbook for other communities in the Alpine region.

Project partners include ifuplan GmbH & Co. KG (Institute for Environmental Planning and Territorial Development) and the two pilot municipalities of Auerbergland (Germany) and Verano (Italy). The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. Its duration spans the years 2025 and 2026, with a total budget of approximately €166,000.