Protest against a plane break: Citizens defend themselves at the dike!

Protest against a plane break: Citizens defend themselves at the dike!

Neustädter Deich, Bremen, Deutschland - in Bremen there are currently violent discussions about the radical pruning of the plane trees on the Neustädter Deich. This measure not only causes resentment among residents, but also mobilizes a committed citizens' initiative. The initiative has formed to protest against the work commissioned by the Bremen environmental authority. On June 11, 2025, the activists interrupted the cutting work with a tree line -up, which temporarily forced the commissioned horticultural company to stand up. The police switched on and threatened the protesters with compulsory measures, which ultimately enabled the continuation of the work, although concerns are appropriate whether the horticultural company had the necessary permits during the breeding season.

The plane trees are not only nice to look at, they also play a central role in the cityscape, in nature conservation and as a protective measure against floods. The environmental authority justifies the pruning with safety -related aspects - the risk of tree fall that could potentially damage dike is presented as a risk. It should be noted that the pruning falls into a sensitive time, since it is the breeding and setting time for birds, in which species protection regulations must be taken into account. Regardless of these regulations, the "Platanne am Deich" citizens' initiative brings the pruning to the agenda as "mutilation at the Neustädter Deich" and plans a short -term injunction against the environmental authority.

health concerns and climate effects

The citizens' initiative points out that the pruning could endanger the health of the residents. After all, the plane trees lose their ability to lower the ambient temperature and filter pollutants from the air. Seniors are particularly affected in nearby facilities that are particularly susceptible to heat and fine dust.

A climate analysis from 2013 certifies the area a high burden, which underpins the importance of the construction. The 136 plane trees on the Neustädter dike act as a climate and pollutant filter. It becomes increasingly clear that city and street trees take on important tasks, for example in regulating the microclimate and as a habitat for many animal species. In a changing climate, its role is irreplaceable, as the Federal Environment Agency states in its analyzes about city trees. Future tree species should also be better geared towards the changed urban conditions.

a round table for future and design

It remains to be hoped that an open dialogue will arise in the city, which takes into account both the interests of the residents and the necessity of the construction. So a round table could help develop sustainable solutions that meet the cityscape, health of citizens and nature conservation.

The Bremen State Court recently decided that a referendum was inadmissible to save the plane trees. The citizens' initiative has hit this strongly and considered a clear blow against citizen participation. Nevertheless, the initiative remains determined and calls the Bremen population to support the maintenance of the plane trees. Further information and current developments can be found at the Kreiszeitung href = "https://bi-platanen-am-deich.jimdoweb.com/"> Citizens' initiative and the Environmental Authority .