Afforestation of Urban Brownfields as a Nature-Based Solution. Experiences from a Project in Leipzig (Germany)

In Leipzig, despite strong growth, reurbanization and re-densification, in the last decade it has still been possible for city to green brownfields with a new type of space: urban forests. The background this was course city’s decades shrinkage emergence numerous brownfields. Leipzig started redevelopment 2001 pursued strategy “more green, less density” its planning. This included creation traditional spaces as well temporary uses. New space concepts were also experimented with, including pocket forests on larger, inner-city several objectives: forest meant contribute improving climatic air-hygienic situation, enhance value adjacent areas, create recreational opportunities increasing biodiversity. Another aspect is financing, instance, afforestation cheapest way greenery. As result almost ten years interdisciplinary monitoring project, can now be stated that fulfil objectives are accepted used by population. Urban do not constitute an independent or nature-based solutions they ecosystems from existing abandoned, brownfields, neglected area.