City of Aachen/Harald Krömer
Helping to shape nature & the environment
© City of Aachen / Marcus Gloger
The city of Aachen is working on a wide range of projects to protect water, soil and biodiversity and is committed to a sustainable, green-blue city. Citizens can get actively involved in many of these projects and work with us to make Aachen a better place to live.
Green in the city
Aachen and its various districts have plenty of green open spaces to offer. The spectrum ranges from large and small parks and playgrounds to promenades, avenues and green squares. There are also green habitats to discover on and around buildings.
Open space concept "The Green Crown"
Aachen's open space concept "The Green Crown" was unanimously approved by the Aachen Municipal Works Committee, the Planning Committee and the Committee for the Environment and Climate Protection. What is the reason for and aim of this concept?
Green spaces and parks
What was your best experience in one of our parks? Perhaps a relaxed meeting with friends, a good book in the sun, a profound conversation on a bench, a child's first attempt at cycling or spotting a rare bird. Our green spaces in Aachen are more than just water reservoirs, air filters, heat buffers, biotopes, cultural testimonies and location factors: they are open spaces for people. They facilitate encounters, activities and experiences. They are of great importance for the quality of life in our city.
Trees
What would our city be without trees? They fulfill many tasks: they improve air quality, contribute to cooling in hot periods, store water, create habitats and food sources for animals, enhance the cityscape and increase the quality of stay.
Playgrounds
Space for children! Aachen aims to be an attractive and liveable city, especially for families and children. Outdoor play and exercise facilities are an important part of this. In our city there are 242 playgrounds, 56 football pitches and 13 skating facilities, which are continuously developed, renewed, monitored and maintained.
Green and design statutes
The city of Aachen is to become greener and has enacted a green and design statute to this end. The statute is intended to improve climate protection and the quality of life in the city and provide investors with clear rules.
Roof and façade greening
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall are becoming more frequent and more severe. In the Aachen basin in particular, high temperatures and local heat islands occur especially in the summer months due to dense development and extensive sealing of the ground. Owners of privately or commercially used properties can help to improve the urban climate.
Climate protection
Martin Braun, © Martin Braun
Climate protection & preventive immission control for Aachen! Every measure counts. How can we make our city more sustainable? Discover projects, tips and your contribution to climate protection or simply become a Climate City Contract Partner!
© City of Aachen / Marcus Gloger
Urban climate
Aachen's urban climate is changing! Heat islands, fresh air flows & co. - how is the climate developing in your city? Find out what it means and what we can do!
More
(c) Martin Riedel / ats, © (c) Martin Riedel / ats
Air quality
How good is the air in Aachen? Find out more about current measured values, influencing factors and measures for better air quality in your city!
More
© City of Aachen / David Engels
Preventive noise protection
Noise accompanies us in many different ways in everyday life. But when does noise become a health hazard and what is the City of Aachen doing to prevent it and create a quieter environment?
More
Lower environmental protection authorities & municipal forestry office
The City of Aachen processes applications and inquiries from a wide range of areas as part of its duties as a lower environmental protection authority and municipal forestry office.
Lower waste management authority (uAB)
Applications and inquiries or notifications, e.g. on the topics of waste producer number, sewage sludge application, waste verification procedure
Lower Soil Protection Authority (uBB)
Applications and questions on topics such as waste from households, preventive soil protection
Lower immission control authority (uIB)
Applications and inquiries or reports, e.g. on the topics of air pollution (e.g. dust and odours), noise, vibrations and light in
connection with commercial facilitiesLower nature conservation authority (uNB)
Applications and inquiries or reports, e.g. on the topics of "projects in outdoor areas", tree protection statutes, Asian hornet or landscape plan.
Lower water authority (uWB)
Applications and inquiries or reports, e.g. on the topics of streams, ponds, rainwater, groundwater, thermal water, wastewater
Municipal forestry office
Applications for riding stickers, registration of events in the forest
Environmental protection
© City of Aachen / Jane Kaimer
Landscape
Landscape planning is the central planning instrument for nature conservation and landscape management. The landscape plan is adopted by the Aachen City Council as a statute and is therefore legally binding for everyone.
© iStock.com / ~UserGI15633745
Floor
The soil of the year 2025 is Rendzina. This soil type is found in Aachen in a few places in the north of the city.
More
City of Aachen / Jonas Hellmann
Water
The more than 200 streams in Aachen's urban area play a central ecological role as a habitat for animals and as a source of water for the surrounding natural areas.
More
© City of Aachen / Jonas hellmann
Forest
It has been managed close to nature for decades and serves people directly and indirectly in an astonishing number of ways.
More
Sustainable development
© City of Aachen / Carabin Prass
We are developing the city of Aachen's municipal sustainability strategy with a city-wide sustainability process. We want to involve everyone in this process and are therefore promoting education for sustainable development (ESD) with advisory services, workshops and events. Aachen is a recognized Fairtrade Town and is thus committed to established social and environmental standards in global trade.