Urban Sandstone Landscapes: Battling Rock-Depleted Urban Spaces in BW Cities
In the picturesque landscapes of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, a change is afoot. The region, known for its lush greenery and vibrant cities, is increasingly promoting more sustainable and ecologically friendly gardening practices. This shift includes the reduction of impermeable surfaces, such as gravel gardens, to improve biodiversity and water management.
However, the regulations and progress regarding the removal of gravel gardens in Baden-Württemberg are not straightforward. While some cities, like Karlsruhe, have specific greening requirements in their zoning plans, the state as a whole does not have a unified regulation mandating the removal of gravel gardens.
City of Stuttgart proposed an earlier deadline for demolition of gravel gardens created after January 1, 1996. Yet, the ministries maintain their legal opinion that older gravel gardens must be reviewed by the building authorities, and demolition may be ordered on a case-by-case basis. As of mid-2025, there are no relevant search results addressing the current regulations or progress on the removal of gravel gardens in Baden-Württemberg.
One city leading the charge is Karlsruhe. Here, 96 gravel gardens have been ordered for demolition in seven inspected areas, with 73 already completed. The city offers a funding program for the removal of gravel gardens built before July 31, 2020. In contrast, only a few gravel gardens have been converted to greenery in Stuttgart, with only two having been demolished by order, and decisions being made on four more.
Other cities, such as Mannheim and Pforzheim, offer financial support for the removal of gravel gardens under certain conditions. Mannheim, for instance, pays out up to 50 euros per square meter of newly greened area.
Not just the municipalities, but environmental NGOs and gardening associations are also playing a crucial role in raising awareness about the ecological disadvantages of gravel gardens. The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) Baden-Württemberg, for example, emphasizes the need for public awareness in combating the "desertification" of gravel gardens.
Creative ideas are also being employed to encourage the removal of gravel gardens. Holzgerlingen, for instance, hosts an "ugliest gravel garden" competition, offering a redesign by a landscape gardener, worth a total of 10,000 euros, to the owners of the four ugliest gravel gardens.
The future of gravel gardens in Baden-Württemberg seems to be headed towards greener, more sustainable landscapes. As climate researchers predict dramatic heatwaves in the next 30 years, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 45°C in the shade by 2050, the need for such changes becomes increasingly urgent. The municipalities are responsible for identifying and enforcing the ban on gravel gardens, and with the support of environmental groups and financial incentives, the transformation is well underway.
- The shift towards sustainable gardening practices in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, extends to the field of environmental science, as cities work to reduce impermeable surfaces like gravel gardens to improve biodiversity and water management.
- City dwellers in the region may find financial incentives for converting gravel gardens to greenery within their homes and gardens, as cities like Mannheim offer up to 50 euros per square meter of newly greened area.
- Amidst the growing environmental concerns, such as climate-change and its predicted heatwaves, the transition from gravel gardens to more ecologically friendly landscapes in Baden-Württemberg is gaining momentum, driven by regulations, municipal efforts, and the advocacy of environmental NGOs like the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) Baden-Württemberg.
