Bielefeld, Germany
City population: 326277
Duration: 2017 – ongoing
Implementation status: Ongoing
Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Project area: unknown
Type of area: Previous derelict area, Public Greenspace Area
Last updated: October 2021

In 2014, the Bielefeld Botanical Garden was expanded with a 2,700 land, previously owned by the local municipality. The extension area and the “old” part of the Botanical Garden were visually and functionally separated by the dense, sometimes gloomy woody vegetation of the "new" area where the watercourse and the small reservoirs were barely noticeable. The aim of the redevelopment is to integrate the entire extension area into the old botanical garden using pathways between the old and the new areas of the botanical garden, the improvements of water body and vegetation areas. The redevelopment also includes the renovation of buildings in the "old" area of the botanical garden, the installation of new recreation facilities and the building of a pharmacy garden. The planning and implementation process is lead by the Friends of the Botanical Garden Bielefeld Association (Verein Freunde DesBotanischen Gartens Bielefeld e.V) in close cooperation with the Environmental Agency of the local municipality (1,2, 7,10,11)

Source: https://www.westfalen-blatt.de/OWL/Bielefeld/Bielefeld/3223878-Botanischer-Garten-Liselotte-Heise-ist-Ehrenmitglied-Apothekergarten-statt-Gewaechshaus

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Parks and urban forests
  • Botanical gardens
  • Blue infrastructure
  • Lakes/ponds
  • Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
  • Green areas for water management
  • Rain gardens

Key challenges

  • Water management (SDG 6)
  • Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Habitat and biodiversity conservation
  • Green space creation and/or management
  • Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
  • Environmental education
  • Health and well-being (SDG 3)
  • Creation of opportunities for recreation
  • Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
  • Preservation of natural heritage
  • Promotion of cultural diversity

Focus

Maintenance and management of urban nature, Protection of natural ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas

Project objectives

1. Integration of the expansion area into the Botanical Garden in terms of appearance and function (10); 2. Creation of path and view connections between the Botanical Garden and the extension area (10); 3. Improvement of the visual outlook and accessibility of the Botanical Garden's entrance (1,4,10); 4. Improvement of the watercourse and organization of irrigation ponds (1); 5. Redesign of open spaces surrounding the watercourse and backwater area (10); 5. Increase the biodiversity (both flora and fauna) in the botanical garden (1); 6. Increase the number of recreational and educational activities for city residents (2, 5,7).

Implementation activities

1. In order to improve the watercourse, the very steep slopes are flattened and modelled harmoniously. The water bodies were made visible with the planting of few trees and flat, low herbaceous plantings. The small reservoirs are dislodged and the dam structures and pond seals are repaired. (10) 2. By purchasing the expansion area of the Botanical garden, the long term the protection and long-term maintenance of the area is secured. Also in order to foster pollinators, a wild bee wall was installed in the new part of the botanical garden (1,4,10) 3. Numerous new tree and plant species are planted in the botanical garden. Extensive herbaceous plantings are being created especially along the waterways. Coneflower hats, forest asters, foam blossoms, splendid slits, Indian nettle, goldenrod or golden bell not only please the eye, but also provide ideal habitat for native insects. For the northern area of the garden, American trees were selected for the Indian summer theme. These include, for example, the tupelo tree, sour tree, scarlet oak, sweetgum tree, aronia, rosemary willow or plume bush. (1) 3. A diverse set of environmental and cultural events and workshops are offered each year for visitors to increase their environmental stewardship and promote cultural diversity (9) 4. The expansion of the botanical garden also includes the installation of new bridges, benches and the renovation of the old playground (10)

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity conservation:

  • Protect and enhance urban habitats
  • Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
  • Protect species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
  • Means for conservation governance
  • Raise public awareness

Main beneficiaries

  • Non-government organisation/Civil Society
  • Citizens or community groups

Governance

Management set-up

  • Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

  • Non-government organisation/civil society

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Crowd-sourcing/Crowd-funding/Participatory budget
  • Dissemination of information and education
  • Co-management/Joint management

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The redevelopment was initiated by the Association of the Friends of the Botanical Garden Bielefeld (Verein Freunde des Botanische Gartens Bielefeld e.v.). The planning and practical implementation took place in cooperation with the association by the environmental company and the landscape architecture planning office Ehrig Sennestadt. (1) The environmental company of Bielefeld and the municipality are responsible for monitoring the development of the program of the extension of the Botanical Garden, while the Association is engaged in fundraising, as well as initiating and implementing intermediate development projects (2).

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? No
... a national policy or strategy? No
... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Financing

Total cost

€100,000 - €500,000

Source(s) of funding

  • Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
  • Private Foundation/Trust
  • Crowdfunding

Type of funding

  • Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
  • Donations
  • Membership or entrance fees

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution
  • Provision of labour
  • Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
  • Other

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Water management and blue areas
  • Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased green space area
  • Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
  • Increased number of species present
  • Enhanced support of pollination
  • Restoration of derelict areas

Economic impacts

  • Unknown

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Health and wellbeing
  • Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
  • Cultural heritage and sense of place
  • Improvement in people’s connection to nature
  • Increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Education
  • Increased knowledge of locals about local nature

Type of reported impacts

Achieved impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No

References

Source: http://www.botanischer-garten-bielefeld.de/erweiterung/
Source: http://www.botanischer-garten-bielefeld.de/erweiterung/
Source: https://www.nw.de/lokal/bielefeld/mitte/20491577_Generotzky-Erbe-950.000-Euro-fuers-Bielefelder-Gruen.html
Source: https://www.westfalen-blatt.de/OWL/Bielefeld/Bielefeld/3905741-Erweiterung-und-Umbau-mit-Wasserlauf-und-Sichtachsen-liegen-voll-im-Zeitplan-Der-Botanische-Garten-2.0
Source: https://www.botanischer-garten-bielefeld.de/erweiterung-archiv/
Source: https://www.nw.de/lokal/bielefeld/mitte/21731349_Botanischer-Garten-wird-ab-Sommer-erweitert.html