Climate grove at Wollhausplatz

WOLLHAUSPLATZ
Wollhausplatz is considered a central traffic junction. It is characterized by a high traffic load, a lot of concrete and asphalt, and little greenery. In early 2019, two shop pavilions standing on an underground parking area were demolished. The newly created area of approximately 800 m2 was to be temporarily designed.

REMODELING A DEMOLITION AREA TO A CLIMATE WATCH
The Parks Department was commissioned with the temporary design of this area. The plans for the final redesign of the area are not yet available. The idea of the "climate forest at the Wollhaus" was born - a maximum contrast to the previous area design. Poor air quality in cities, polluted by fine dust and nitrogen oxides, is an ongoing issue. This applies to a large extent to the busy and predominantly sealed Wollhausplatz in Heilbronn. What greater contrast is there to the masses of concrete, asphalt, traffic pollution and hot, bad air than a green forest that produces the fresh and cool air itself?

TREES AND SHRUBS ON THE EXISTING UNDERGROUND GARAGE
A forest of approx. 200 trees and shrubs was planted in a short time on the underground garage area. An edging of jute sand bags, fleece and coconut fabric enabled earth heaps of 40-60 cm. The trees were anchored under the ground on structural steel mats. A bark mulch path leads visitors through this green oasis. Benches were set up for visitors to sit on and additional tables were placed in a clearing. The project was implemented with the simplest of means. In the design and selection of materials, attention was paid to sustainable materials in order to be able to carry out the later dismantling easily and inexpensively. Reusable materials, such as trees, substrate and equipment, will later be used elsewhere in the city. It is not yet known how long the climate grove can be maintained.
A formerly almost unused area moves into the consciousness of the population and becomes a place with a high quality of stay.

LIVABLE CITY GREEN IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE - CLIMATE EFFECTIVE
The combination of urban green with all its benefits and social meeting place were implemented in a small space and are maximally experienced by the citizen. An unusual design arouses the interest of passers-by. A curved path made of bark mulch makes it possible to slow down from everyday life just by walking through the grove. Benches and tables invite you to linger. The trees provide a pleasant climate, especially on hot summer days. It was created a social meeting place in an area previously without any quality of stay was.

SPEAKABLE STAY QUALITY THROUGH GREEN
The citizens can experience here directly what positive effect the urban green can have.
The project experienced already in the construction much encouragement from the population and was also present after opening in the social media. After completion, the place is actively used and is particularly well visited at lunchtime by employees of the surrounding companies. In the evenings, too, the grove enjoys a high level of popularity from the adjacent snack bar and the local residents.

Climate Adaptation AwardGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2021

Jury verdict:
A pop-up grove at the Wollhausplatz traffic junction! The green space office Heilbronn has achieved fascinating: In the middle of the city center, an underground parking lot area has been planted with trees and shrubs after the demolition of two pavilions.

In 2019, there were no plans for a permanent follow-up use for the 800 square meter area, which is characterized by high traffic volume. The green space office took over the direction and conducted an internal competition, in which Verena Klenske and Niklas Köppel convinced with the planning of a climate forest - a maximum contrast to the previous land use. A forest of 200 trees was planted in a short time on the underground parking area. The edging of jute sacks, fleece and coconut fabric allowed the earth to be filled up to 50 cm. Goddess trees, alders, birches, trembling poplars, spruces and also pines sit on a construction steel mat, fastened with tension belts. There are benches and tables for resting; water mist jets support the cooling effect of the forest.

The jury was impressed by how in a short time with a small budget the public space was effectively transformed. An attractive open space has been created in a disparate environment: concrete, asphalt and traffic become a green forest that provides shade and produces fresh air. Taking possession of urban space for recreation and relaxation, for oxygen production and cooling is a widely postulated goal that has been implemented here in an exemplary manner.

Thought has also been given to the subsequent use of the woody plants in other places in the city - however, one wishes for the project to be transformed into a permanent green space at Wollhausplatz. And thus sustainably serves climate adaptation and encourages other municipalities to follow suit!