Many of Aachen's cemeteries have a park-like character. Burial areas and natural open spaces regularly adjoin each other. The aim of the cemetery development concept being promoted by Aachen's municipal services is to use these open spaces in the inner-city cemeteries for peaceful recreation and to strengthen their ecological potential.

As one of the first measures as part of the development, a total of 211 deciduous trees were planted in the Hüls, Forst and Westfriedhof I and II cemeteries. "When selecting the tree species, we mainly chose native and climate-resistant species," explains Susanne Arnold, who is in charge of the project at Aachen City Council. A total of 30 different tree species were planted, and sites were also found for fruit trees such as the Münster pear, Ontario apple and 'Schöner aus Boskoop' on the outer edges of Hüls cemetery. "Typical local tree species offer native insects the most benefits as food sources and habitats," explains Susanne Arnold. The planting was 90 percent funded by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development at the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning as part of the "Adapting urban spaces to climate change" funding project.

Over the next two years, further redesigns are planned for the eight inner-city cemeteries: Benches will be installed, shrubs planted, meadows laid out and, where possible, areas of paths that are no longer needed will be unsealed.