Revitalization of inner-city brownfields through urban gardening exemplified by the Kölner Neuland e.V. in Germany

Abstract

The depletion of natural resources, the increase in environmental problems and land use - the advancing urbanization brings with it a series of challenges that must be solved by sustainable and innovative approaches. In this context, it is particularly important to make use of existing potential in spatial and environmental planning, in order to guarantee sustainable and socially responsible urban development in the future. In particular, the revitalization of brownfields as Green Innovation Areas offers potential for the sustainable use of former industrial sites and for strengthening bio-economic management. Urban gardening is to be understood as a form for the use of inner-city brownfields as Green Innovation Areas, which can significantly contribute to a sustainable urban development. The urban gardening project Kölner Neuland serves as an example to show how a part of a 44,000 m² industrial brownfield in Cologne's Bayenthal district was revitalized by an urban garden. First, there will be an overview of the basic framework conditions based on the evaluation of existing technical literature. Subsequently, the topic of urban gardening will be treated as a form of Green Innovation Areas. In this context, it is also explained how urban gardening can promote a more sustainable and socially just urban development. In order to understand and evaluate the background of the urban gardening project Kölner Neuland, a detailed analysis of the project is required. For this reason, the historical course, financial aspects, current marketing measures as well as goals and visions of Kölner Neuland are explained after an overall view of the city. On the basis of the gained and evaluated insights of an expert interview, the urban gardening project Kölner Neuland will be examined for its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It was found that the urban garden Kölner Neuland is to be evaluated quite positively however, some aspects show the need for action. As a result of this work, recommendations for the future development of the urban gardening project Kölner Neuland are formulated. A distinction can be made between recommendations for action in the areas of financing, public perception, and control. In addition, the central conditions for a successful revitalization of inner-city brownfields through urban gardening are defined.