Press releases

• The employees of the city council's green team redesign selected flowerbeds and plant areas.
• This involves changing the areas in the road space that pose a potential danger to road users.
• Contemporary perennial plantings bring color and a wider variety of species to the areas.

In various places in the city area, the employees of the green crews of Aachen's municipal services have started to upgrade flowerbeds. "Many of the trees and shrubs in the streets are ageing and overgrown, meaning they are dying," explains Julian Creusen, Head of Urban Greenery and Districts at Aachener Stadtbetrieb. "This can create hazards for road users, which we prevent as part of our duty to ensure road safety."

For example, Gert-Engels-Platz in Oberforstbach was changed as part of the extended green maintenance. "Here, too, we removed some of the trees and shrubs in the backdrop planting that had died off due to the heavy ivy growth," explains Julian Creusen. "Some green spaces then need a real fresh start. We select the new plants with a view to the nature of the area and pay particular attention to the diversity of the plants in order to provide a habitat for various animals." The bed is gradually reworked and the resulting open spaces are supplemented with various flowering shrubs. The planting, carefully selected by the experts, offers numerous insects protection, food and a habitat.

In addition, a beech hedge was planted along Oberforstbacher Straße to enclose the area.

Mulch layer installed as a climate buffer

Similar measures have been taken by the green team in the center of Brander. "We are replacing the soil and redesigning the square as a contemporary mixed perennial planting in the Brander district colors," says Julian Creusen. In order to keep the area low-maintenance, a mineral mulch made of lava or limestone chippings will be applied. Creusen explains: "This type of mulch is installed as a state-of-the-art cleanliness layer in a grain size that allows the beds to remain available as a habitat for insects. At the same time, a mulch layer keeps the soil moist for longer and thus acts as a climate buffer. It is important that no weed fleece is used."

The areas in Eilendorf, in the Nirmer Straße/Von-Coels-Straße area and on the corner of Habsburger Allee and Hohenstaufenallee are also being redesigned. "We are also making sure that the areas in the roadside greenery are clearly laid out and safe for all road users," emphasizes Leonard Beissel, Head of Urban Greenery and Districts Preparation at Aachen's municipal services. Species-rich perennial beds will be planted. "We will then see the first flowering aspects from early summer."