Urban Forests - Website
Table of contents
Project Description
Urban forests provide a wide range of benefits for the climate and public health and can play a significant role in increasing biodiversity in cities, improving recreational opportunities, and promoting climate adaptation in urban areas. Against the backdrop of increasingly scarce financial and human resources, urban forests represent sustainable alternatives to intensively managed green spaces and can effectively complement and diversify urban green systems.
In the city of Leipzig, three urban forests were newly established between 2009 and 2019 as part of a pilot and development project by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. Their development was subject to scientific monitoring over a ten-year period, led by the TU Dresden (Chair of Landscape Planning). This study conducted an in-depth examination of the development of flora and fauna, as well as the impacts of urban forests on soil, climate, recreation, urban development, and public acceptance of urban forests.
The results are documented in module reports, which can be downloaded from this website. The scientific monitoring research resulted in a toolbox containing planning-oriented recommendations for interested cities and municipalities. This toolbox is also available for download (in 3 parts) from this website. In 2023, a follow-up study was also conducted, examining the development of tree species and canopy cover, the climatic effects, the fauna, and the use and perception of these forests by people seeking recreation. The entire follow-up study is documented in a volume of the BfN’s publication series, which is currently in press. At the same time, the respective module reports were updated or supplemented where necessary.
Module Reports
The module reports document the results of the monitoring conducted as part of the accompanying scientific research from 2009 to 2019. The Chair of Meteorology at TU Dresden (Prof. Bernhofer) investigated the effects of forests on the urban climate, the Chair of Site Science and Plant Nutrition (Prof. Feger) examined the effects on soils and the water balance, and the Chair of Landscape Planning (Prof. Schmidt) examined the effects on urban design, recreational use, and urban development. The Chair of Forest Botany at the TUD (Prof. Roloff) was responsible for the accompanying botanical research, while the Leipzig Region Nature Conservation Institute (NSI) conducted the accompanying faunistic research. The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UfZ, Prof. Rink) investigated public acceptance of different forest types.
In addition to the ongoing monitoring of the three newly established urban forests in Leipzig (Stadtgärtnerei-Holz, Schönauer-Holz, and Gleis-Grün-Zug), the project included extensive comparative studies of existing reference forests, fallow lands, and parks, as well as surveys and empirical studies, were part of the research program.
A scientific follow-up study of the three project sites was conducted in 2023, 12 years after the first urban forest was established in Leipzig. In this study, the Chair of Meteorology at TU Dresden (Prof. Mauder) examined the effects of the forests on the urban climate; the Chair of Landscape Planning (Prof. Schmidt) examined the effects on recreational use and biodiversity; and the Chair of Forest Botany (Prof. Roloff) conducted the accompanying botanical research. Faunal studies were conducted by the Chair of Landscape Planning and the Borna-Birkenhain Ecological Station e. V.
All current module reports are available for download here:
(Please note that the module reports and the toolbox are not accessible due to the project’s timeline.)
Download Module Flora I (2019)
Download Module Flora II (2019)
Download Climate Module (2018)
Download Urban Redevelopment Module (2018)
Download Recreation Module (2024)
Download Recreation Profiles Module (2018)
Download Tree Development Module (2024)
Download Population Acceptance Module (2024)
Toolbox
Toolbox A – Preselection of Suitable Sites
Part A of the toolbox is designed to address the following key question at the city-wide level: How can a preselection of potentially suitable sites for the creation of urban forests be carried out?
This step can be particularly challenging in cities facing intense pressure for land use. Based on the findings of the research project, criteria were therefore selected to help determine, at the citywide level, which sites are particularly well-suited for the establishment of urban forests in order to achieve the greatest ecological and recreational benefits.
Toolbox B – Designing Urban Forests
Part B of the Toolbox is designed to answer the following main question: An urban forest is to be created on a specific brownfield site . Given precise knowledge of the site’s size, previous use, and other framework conditions, what should be planted, how should it be planted, and what design and infrastructure should be planned?
The Toolbox provides recommendations, based on the findings of the research project, on how to respond—through design measures—to factors such as various previous land uses, user groups, and surrounding green spaces and built environments. It goes without saying that all listed criteria are merely guidelines and suggestions—the specific conditions of each individual case are decisive.
Tree Species Filter
A tree species filter also allows you to select suitable tree species based on the following parameters:
- Type of fallow land and
- Height of the surrounding urban structure or height of the target forest
- Forest density and
- Forest stratification
For each tree species, additional information—such as soil requirements, growth rate, or noise-reduction capabilities—is provided. In addition, assessments of climate resilience—such as heat tolerance, drought stress tolerance, waterlogging tolerance, and late frost tolerance—are available. In addition, the biodiversity value of each tree species—as well as its importance for insects, birds, and herbivores—can now be viewed. (Note: Instead of the old tree species filter, only a list of tree species is currently available).
Further explanations regarding the criteria and the suitability assessment of tree species can be found in the instructions for the tree species filter
Toolbox C – Implementation of Urban Forests
Part C of the Toolbox addresses the following main question: The concrete planning of the urban forest is complete. What factors must now be considered during implementation and subsequent maintenance?
During the pilot and development project, the City Planning Office of Leipzig gained extensive experience with the implementation of urban forests, which is documented in this part of the Toolbox.