Hochschule Geisenheim University is acting as local partner in the funding application, and will thus play an advisory and initiatory role in the planned development of urban green infrastructure. Thanks to the existing cooperation between town and university in the project “Green Geisenheim”, the foundations have already been laid for the joint development and improvement of the town’s and university’s green spaces. In addition to the development of urban greenspace, the Green Geisenheim project also aims to build stronger networks and collaboration between the project partners.

“Zukunft Stadtgrün”, the new joint program of the Federal Government and the Länder, was first launched in 2017 with the goal of providing support for measures aimed at strengthening green infrastructure.  The university town of Geisenheim was successful in securing funding during the second call for applications in 2018 and was accepted onto the program along with three other municipalities. The total funding amount is 565 000 Euros. At the presentation of the notice of admission Minister Priska Hinz explicitly highlighted the existing cooperation between the town and the university as a guarantee for success.

This financial aid is made available to municipalities for the development or improvement of their urban green infrastructure. This particularly applies to the creation, development and upgrading of green spaces and planted open areas, as well as green networks and environmental justice. Other key areas of the funding program are the preservation of biodiversity, the greening of buildings and grey infrastructure and the integration and use of urban gardens.

At a time when the effects of climate change are being increasingly felt, the importance of urban greenspace is gaining considerable momentum. This year in particular the increase in the number of hot days and extended periods of drought have been particularly noticeable and they are having an effect on health and wellbeing. Local extreme rainfall events, too, are becoming increasingly common and causing major damage in both settlement areas and natural landscapes. In the light of this, cities and municipalities are charged with the important task of dealing with the consequences of climate change and mitigating its adverse effects through the development of green infrastructure.

But urban greenspace also has a vital role to play in the question of how we want to live in our towns and cities. Urban green spaces and parks, water areas, the greening of squares, streets, facades and roofs – all these elements make our cities more attractive and pleasant to live in, while also making a significant contribution to recreation and health maintenance.

In the near future, thanks to the financial support of the Federal Government and the Länder, Hochschule Geisenheim University will be in a position to implement measures for improving the quality of urban greenspace during the funding period, whereby the university will play a support role as a cooperation partner. The funding will allow the implementation of measures that will make the university town of Geisenheim a more attractive place in which to study, live and work, offering better quality of life, while at the same time contributing to local climate protection.