Last updated: October 2021
The Brackwede open-air pools have been a significant landmark of the city of Bielefeld and part of locals' life since 1926. After several renovations since its opening, in 2005, the maintaining company of the Brackwede open-air pools proposed to convert the pools into natural-water bodies through the application of natural water filtration systems. The pools are supplied from the natural underground stream of Ems-Lutter whose spring water is physically and biologically purified by natural mineral soil filter and water plants. Chlorine is prohibited in this pool - the nature itself ensures water quality (1). Since 2009, the Natural pool of Brackwede offers natural facilities for swimming and other water-related activities besides cultural, sport and recreational opportunities for all (1).
Source: https://www.nw.de/lokal/bielefeld/brackwede/22208904_Naturbad-Brackwede-bleibt-weiter-geschlossen.html
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
- Green areas for water management
- Swales and filter strips
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Improvements to water quality
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of semi-natural blue areas
Project objectives
1. Conversion of the Brackwede outdoor Pool into a 'natural pool' ideal for the recreation of Bielefeld citizens (1);
2. Clean the water by natural filtration (1);
3. Increase the amount of visitors to a natural pool (1).
Implementation activities
1. The system of the natural water supply built (1)
2. The system of natural water cleansing provided by plants (1)
3. Divide the water body into swimmer and non-swimmer areas (1)
4. Installation of Geomatrix soil filters to supplement the natural water filtration (1)
5. Implementation of playground equipment, wooden pathways for visitors (1)
6. Transform the lawn to a hilly landscape with trees and the new wooden entrance building (1)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
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
- Private sector/corporate actor/company
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Crowd-sourcing/Crowd-funding/Participatory budget
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project initiated by the private company of Bielefelder Bäder und Freizeit GmbH that took over the operation of the baths and ice rinks from the city of Bielefeld in 1997 with the support of the non-profit organisation Naturbad Brackwede eV. Based on the plans, the installation of the ecological Geomix soil filtration system was commissioned to the partner company EKO-Plant (1).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
No
... a local policy or strategy?
No
Financing
Total cost
€2,000,000 - €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Corporate investment
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
- Membership or entrance fees
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Other
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of natural heritage
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 evidence in public records
References
1. Naturbad Brackwede. (2017). Naturbad. Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
2. Bielefelder Bäder und Freizeit GmbH. (2017). Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
3. Source link. Two lidos under the Bielefeld sun. Mybielefeld. Accessed August, Source link.
4. Webwecker Bielefeld. (2004). Baden gehen in Brackwede. Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
5. Outdooractive. (2016). Bielefeld Radtour - Bielefelder Südwesten. Outdooractive. Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
2. Bielefelder Bäder und Freizeit GmbH. (2017). Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
3. Source link. Two lidos under the Bielefeld sun. Mybielefeld. Accessed August, Source link.
4. Webwecker Bielefeld. (2004). Baden gehen in Brackwede. Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
5. Outdooractive. (2016). Bielefeld Radtour - Bielefelder Südwesten. Outdooractive. Accessed August 31, 2020, Source link.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Naturbad.Brackwede.aktuell/photos/d41d8cd9/1421756481277524/
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Naturbad.Brackwede.aktuell/photos/d41d8cd9/1421756481277524/
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Naturbad.Brackwede.aktuell/photos/a.365652326887950/1421578237962015/?type=3&theater
Source: https://www.dp-mediendesign.de/5438-naturbad-brackwede-bei-bielefeld/
Source: https://www.dp-mediendesign.de/5438-naturbad-brackwede-bei-bielefeld/