Tens of thousands of new trees: The mayoral candidates present their ideas for Cologne

Tens of thousands of new trees: The mayoral candidates present their ideas for Cologne

The finale of the exciting series “100 Ideas for Cologne” is coming up. On September 12, 2025, the mayoral candidates will present their best proposals for urban development, which are intended to make the metropolis greener and more livable. Major issues such as heat protection and environmental protection are at the top of the agenda.

The 100 ideas include numerous proposals for prudent greening and the creation of “sponge cities”. These concepts aim to optimize stormwater management and prepare the city against future climate changes. The idea behind it? Store and use rainwater on-site instead of draining it into the sewer system, thereby drastically reducing the risk of flooding and at the same time conserving valuable groundwater for nature. This innovative concept is supported by Berivan Aymaz (Greens) and Torsten Burmester (SPD), who propose a large number of new urban trees and comprehensive support for bicycle routes on main roads.

Sustainable ideas for Cologne

The candidates represent different approaches to realizing their vision for Cologne. Berivan Aymaz highlights that tens of thousands of new trees are to be planted in the city. The starting signal for this will be 50 Japanese cherry trees in front of the opera. The idea of ​​establishing Cologne as a “sponge city” in order to offer more heat protection is also very popular.

Also in the catalog of proposals is the creation of a central market hall for regional products and the improvement of lighting in the city center in order to increase the safety of women in particular. The issue of cleanliness is also not neglected: many candidates are calling for the appointment of special representatives for cleanliness in central city areas, which could, for example, help improve the quality of life through a more frequently cleaned cityscape.

Traffic and usage concepts

The improvement in public transport is underpinned by proposals for water buses and water taxis to operate on the Rhine, with moorings as far away as Bonn and Düsseldorf. This could not only increase mobility, but also strengthen connections between cities.

A uniform concept for color design in public spaces and the newly planned “Boulevard of the Stars”, dedicated to the city's most famous personalities, should also contribute to the attractiveness of the cityscape. The citizens' interests are clear: green spaces and water as central elements are becoming increasingly important in urban design. These aspects not only contribute to improving air quality and the microclimate, but also to reducing stress within the urban environment, as the Federal Environment Agency emphasizes ( Umweltbundesamt.de ).

According to experts, the increase in sponge cities is also urgently needed in order to effectively combat climate change through more green protection. Copenhagen and Hamburg are already successfully implementing appropriate concepts that guarantee an increase in water absorption and thus a reduction in the risk of flooding in the event of heavy rain ( baumbad.de ).

Cologne has the potential to develop into a model for other cities when it comes to sustainable urban development. The committed politicians agree that it is time to set the course for a future worth living - for the benefit of people and nature. The proposals show a wide range of ideas that could make Cologne a pioneer in climate adaptation and urban design. Let's stay tuned to see which concepts will be awarded the contract and implemented in the future.

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