New climate oasis inaugurated in Jena-North

The official inauguration of the new urban climate oasis in Schützenhofstraße in Jena-Nord took place today.

Christian Gerlitz, Mayor and Head of the Department for Urban Development and the Environment of the City of Jena, and district mayor Dr. Christoph Vietze cut the symbolic ribbon together with children from the neighbouring "Flohkiste" daycare centre and pupils from the Christliches Gymnasium. A special highlight: the nursery children opened the inauguration with songs and dances. "This brings the city of Jena another step closer to its goal of ensuring that all residents can reach an urban climate oasis within a five-minute walk," says a delighted Christian Gerlitz. "In addition, a space has been created that can be seen as a climate adaptation measure in the context of climate change."

For Dr. Christoph Vietze and the Jena-Nord district council, the inauguration fulfils several wishes: "The result is a meadow that can now no longer be mowed to allow flowers, shrubs and trees to grow - and not a parking area or residential building. Nevertheless, the slope has been preserved as a popular toboggan run. In short: we are perfectly happy and grateful for the newly designed area."

The new climate oasis consists of three sections - the small former traffic green area on Camburger Straße, the area of the large meadow on Schützenhofstraße and the area by the steps between Schützenhofstraße and Closewitzer Straße. Newly planted trees and large shrubs provide shade - not least on the increasingly hot days. Benches and shrubs invite you to linger. Wooden play sculptures in the shape of an ant and a grasshopper have been set up for children. Insect-friendly flowering meadows and an insect hotel were also created. The hotel was filled by Year 8 pupils from the neighboring Christliches Gymnasium and is maintained by them.

The climate oasis was created between September 2021 and May 2022. It cost around 155,000 euros, including planning and maintenance. It was funded by the SALUTE4CE project (SALUTE for Central Europe) via the impulse region with 36,350 euros. The remaining costs were borne by the city of Jena.