Porz-Mitte is planning a city garden: a green glimmer of hope against the heat wave!

Porz-Mitte is planning a city garden: a green glimmer of hope against the heat wave!

The Porz district in Cologne could soon receive a green oasis that will not only improve the quality of life, but also counteract climate change. The Porz-Mitte Alliance has brought to life the idea of ​​a city garden on the grounds of the vocational college, which will soon be moving. This initiative met with great approval at Good Life Day and has already mobilized 450 supporters in the form of an online petition.

The alliance's concern is clear: Given that the city center is over 99 percent sealed, making Porz a heat island, a city garden is necessary to meet the future challenges of climate change. On hot summer days, the temperatures in the shade of the old trees on the vocational college grounds are almost ten degrees lower than on the square in front of the city center. These oases could make a decisive contribution to cooling the environment in the future.

A garden with added value

It is planned that the city garden will not only include an idyllic green area, but also contain a water area with a fountain, which will also contribute to cooling. “We urgently need cooling measures to minimize health risks, especially for older people,” the alliance notes about the rising temperatures. The previous plans for a city garden have existed since 2010, but the discussion about using the site for residential and commercial buildings threatens to jeopardize the green ambitions.

However, a resolution by the Porz district council could not adequately protect it from the threat of deforestation. Other urban projects, such as the development of allotment gardens for mini-apartments, have also come under criticism. This use could jeopardize the goal of sustainable urban planning and the principles of the soon to come into force Climate Adaptation Act, which comes into force on July 1, 2024, contradict.

The role of urban greening

Like the studies on Urban greening show, this is not only a remedy for heat islands, but also improves the general quality of life. It helps reduce noise, bind fine dust and improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen. Wherever green spaces are created, not only people benefit, but also animals who find new habitats. A city garden would promote biodiversity and could at the same time serve as a place of refuge for the population.

The ongoing integration of green spaces into urban planning is crucial to creating climate-resilient cities. With the city garden in Porz, citizens have the chance to actively participate in improving their district. “Climate adaptation must become part of everyday life at all levels,” says the alliance, which wants to pave the way for a more sustainable Porz with its initiative.

The future of Porz is green, but citizens must actively advocate for their beliefs to make this vision a reality. Hopefully the district doesn't just stick with words, but finally tackles the matter! If you haven't signed yet, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to bring a piece of nature into the city center.