Rostock's Allotment Garden Advisory Board: Fresh ideas for green oases!

Rostock's Allotment Garden Advisory Board: Fresh ideas for green oases!

Yesterday an important step was taken in the allotment policy of the Hanseatic and university city of Rostock. The allotment garden advisory board was brought back into being to advise on allotment gardening and urban gardening issues in the city. This is reported by the City of Rostock. The advisory board, which is made up of 15 members, including representatives of the allotment garden associations, civic groups and a member of the city administration, will in future make recommendations on the use of funds from the allotment garden fund and work on the planning of the allotment garden areas.

Responsibility for the new advisory board lies in the hands of Dr. Felix Winter, who was elected as chairman. He is supported by Axel Hinz in the role of first deputy and Bernd Weichmann as second deputy. The advisory board's office is based in the Office for Urban Greenery, Nature Conservation and Cemetery Management and takes care of organizational and technical tasks as well as communication. The members will meet twice a year, at the beginning and end of the gardening season. What's special: Guests can be invited to the meetings at the request of the advisory board.

Allotment gardens as urban oases

In Rostock, allotment gardens are not only popular places to relax, but also an essential part of the urban living space. Currently, around 154 allotment garden associations manage almost 16,000 plots on an area of ​​around 660 hectares. Many of these areas are well used and are very popular with Rostock residents. Nevertheless, construction pressure is high due to increasing housing needs and infrastructural developments and could lead to conflicts such as these TGP Landscape Architects point out.

The “Green Wave – City Garden of Rostock” concept aims to secure allotment gardens in the long term and increase their public accessibility. This concept was developed in close collaboration with allotment gardeners in order to find environmentally friendly and socially just solutions. It includes, among other things, guidelines and recommendations for action for 155 allotment gardens and also provides for the integration of alternative garden projects such as urban gardening.

Participation and future prospects

The political decision-making process for the further development of allotment gardens is already well advanced. Some crucial decisions have been made in recent years, including the recognition of guidelines for sustainable development in 2019 and the presentation of the allotment garden development concept in the citizen information system in May 2023. The citizens adopted the changes and the adopted concept on October 18, 2023, which represents a milestone in securing the allotment gardens.

Securing allotment gardens plays a central role, especially since Rostock's population is expected to grow by around 25,000 people by 2035. It is therefore all the more important to preserve allotment gardens as green oases in the city. The allotment gardens should continue to play an important role in providing green space for Rostock's citizens in order to ensure a high quality of life.

For those interested, the Office for Urban Greenery, Nature Conservation and Cemetery Services offers competent contacts. Mr. Gerrit Pluntke is available to answer any questions on 0381 381 8567 or by email at gerrit.pluntke@rostock.de.