Bremen starts Schwamstadt-Initiative: Futability through green!
Bremen starts Schwamstadt-Initiative: Futability through green!
The challenges of climate change have arrived in the Hanseatic city of Bremen: heavy rain, heat periods and drought make our city with new requirements. To meet this, the kick -off event for the “Schwammstadt Bremen” initiative took place on June 23, 2025. Senator for the environment, climate and science, Kathrin Moosdorf, welcomed numerous actors from the administration and relevant institutions to work together on solutions. Senate press office Bremen reports that the aim of the Schwammstadt-Princips is to make Bremen sustainable-through the better use of rainwater, the expansion of infiltration areas and the creation of green places.
What does that look like? Measures for rainwater management and greening prevent floods and the city is to be cooled on hot days. In addition, the new green areas should also increase the quality of life of the Bremen: Interior. At the event, the exchange of the actors was focused in order to develop a sustainable action concept. In the first phase, the focus is on the participation of the administrations and administrative institutions.
approaches and future visions
An important part of this differentiation is the integration of actors to optimize information chains and check legal framework. The aim is to develop a resilient action concept with concrete measures. This process is supported by the EU project "Pathways2resilience", which provides financial resources. In a later phase, the concept of action is made public and supplemented by suggestions from local advisory boards, citizens: inside and interest groups.
An essential principle here is that rainwater should be kept where it falls - on roofs, in parks, on places and streets. This not only contributes to the resistance of the city compared to the effects of climate change, but also increases the quality of stay in Bremen. Private citizens: Interior are invited to implement concrete sponge city building blocks, whereby the environmental department offers support.
extensive measures at the federal level
The "Schwammstadt Bremen" initiative is part of a larger national framework. The Federal Government has developed the German adaptation strategy to climate change (DAS), which is intended to help the cities to face the challenges of climate change. Federal Environment Agency emphasizes that measures for climate adaptation promote the integration of research expertise for flooding and heat provision in urban development. Active change in dealing with water is required, according to the German Association for Water Management, Wastewater and Waste (DWA).
These developments are not unique for Bremen. Similar projects are also being worked on in cities such as Riga to create a healthy, sustainable urban environment in which quality of life and climate protection go hand in hand. DetailsOrt Bremen, Deutschland Quellen