1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Hamburg
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Bäume Plflantzen in Hamburg und die 'Mein Baum - Meine Stadt' Kampagne
Short description of the intervention
Hamburg decided to increase the number of trees in the city, however, the budget was not enough to completely fulfil this goal. Therefore, the city not only tripled the municipal budget dedicated to tree planting and but began encouraging the citizens to contribute to greening the city through the donation campaign "My tree - My city”. The project was launched in 2011 as part of the European Green Capital programme of Hamburg. Citizens can donate and by using an interactive map, can choose a site and a tree species to be planted, and follow-up the implementation of their tree. (Reference 1, 3) The City of Hamburg gave for each tree that reached donations of 500 Euro the same amount on top to cover the average costs of 1.000 Euro per tree, which includes the preparation of the planting pit, the planting itself and maintenance. (Reference 4) The campaign was so successful that it continued even after Hamburg’s year as the European Green Capital and is still going on in 2020. (Reference 2, 7)
Address

Hamburg
Germany

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Total area
755222000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Streets (Reference 1)
Website of the intervention
https://www.hamburg.de/projects/3542356/mytree-mycity/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2011
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Goals of the intervention
- increase the number of trees in Hannover to supply the city with oxygen, provide shading, bring nature back the city, provide habitats for animals and attract citizens to the city.
- promote tree planting among citizens and involve them in making decisions. (Reference 1, 4)
Quantitative targets
"Within the scope of events for the European Green Capital 2011, the Senate of Hamburg released two million euros for planting the symbolic number of 2011 trees." (Reference 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
- number of trees being planted (Reference 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce exposure to climate risks directly
Reduce the impacts of climate risks events on urban places and communities
Build resilience
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature
Create or improve outdoor spaces to help people escape from urban heat
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Create new habitats
Means for conservation governance
Public engagement
Capacity building
Implementation activities
- an interactive map was developed shows all the street trees (all the 225.000) in the city including species and age.
- the donation campaign was launched, and an online map was developed for supporting it
- Seeing the success of the donation campaign which funded the planting of 600 trees in 2011, the city decided to fund the planting of 2011 more trees. In 2011, when Hamburg was the European Green Capital, 2639 trees were planted in total.
- The project was continued, and between 2011 and 2016 more than 5600 trees have been planted (Reference 1, 2)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Maintenance and management of urban nature
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Vegetation Type
Trees
Please specify how many trees were planted
5600+ (Reference 1, 2)
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
Advising for donors to select the type and place of their trees (Reference 1, 3)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Raw materials
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Carbon storage/sequestration
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Please specify other local relevant strategy
Hamburg was chosen to be the Green Capital of the EU (Reference 1). This programme, which is in line with aims of the EU 7th Environmental Action Program of the EU, aims to promote and award commitment and innovation to resolve environmental challenges in cities (Reference 3). The tree planting program was inspired by the Green Capital Award and it is mentioned in the selective report of the city ("Hamburg: European Green Capital: Five years on") being published in 2016 (Reference 1).
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The project is led by the Ministry of Urban Development and Environment (Hamburg) in collaboration with the districts, who plant, care and renovate the trees. The Loki Schmidt Foundation collects and distributes the donations and advises donors, the Hamburger Volksbank manages the donation account, and the newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt accompanies the campaign with its support through media representation. (Reference 6) The computer programme was developed in collaboration with the makers of Hamburg’s geoVAL tree inventory, while the interactive map was developed with the Landesamt für Geoinformation und Vermessung (Agency for Geo-information and Surveying). (Reference 2).
The description of the project writes: "Hamburg is involved in the national ‘GALKStraßenbaumtest’ (street tree research project ) by the Heads of German Parks Departments Conference) (www.galk.de), and since 2005 the city has been planting new tree species along its roads and assessing their suitability for certain sites" (Reference 2).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
media: newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt accompanies the campaign with its support through media representation. (Reference 6)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Financial institution
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Other
Land owners
No information found
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Crowd-sourcing/Crowd-funding/Participatory budget
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Yes
Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"
In 2011, Hamburg was chosen to be the Green Capital of the EU (Reference 1). This programme, which is in line with aims of the EU 7th Environmental Action Program of the EU, aims to promote and award commitment and innovation to resolve environmental challenges in cities (Reference 3). The tree planting program was inspired by the Green Capital Award and it is mentioned in the selective report of the city ("Hamburg: European Green Capital: Five years on") being published in 2016 (Reference 1).
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Please specify other type of voluntary intervention
The citizens can donate money for tree planting on a voluntary basis (Reference 1).
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
In 2011, Hamburg was chosen to be the Green Capital of the EU (Reference 1). This programme aims to promote and award commitment and innovation to resolve environmental challenges in cities (Reference 3). The tree planting program was inspired by the Green Capital Award and it is mentioned in the selective report of the city ("Hamburg: European Green Capital: Five years on") being published in 2016 (Reference 1).
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
The project itself is a vision for greening the city (Reference 1).
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Other
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The description of the project writes: "Hamburg is involved in the national ‘GALKStraßenbaumtest’ (street tree research project ) by the Heads of German Parks Departments Conference) (www.galk.de), and since 2005 the city has been planting new tree species along its roads and assessing their suitability for certain sites" (Reference 2).
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
"Donors choose their trees from the available sites; there are no minimum donations; once 500 euros have been collected, the city pays the remaining amount and plants a tree. However, as a new development, major donors now have the choice of covering the complete cost of planting instead of making 500-euro contributions" (Reference 2).
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
"Donors choose their trees from the available sites; there are no minimum donations; once 500 euros have been collected, the city pays the remaining amount and plants a tree. However, as a new development, major donors now have the choice of covering the complete cost of planting instead of making 500-euro contributions" (Reference 2). The total amount spent on these trees is however unknown.
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Crowdfunding
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Donations
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Other
Business models
Green densification model
Local stewardship model
Please specify other environmental impact
the trees cool their surrounding area on hot days, provide moisture, filter dust (Reference 5)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Economic innovation
Please specify social innovation
The project established a platform where the citizens, associations and companies can donate money for tree planting. With this the program is able to foster participation while greening the city (Reference 1).
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased number of species present
Other
Description of environmental benefits
Although there is no exact number available, the project has increased the number of urban trees and the number of tree species in Hamburg. Between 2011 and 2016 more than 5600 trees have been planted thanks to the donations (Reference 1) According to the municipality of Hamburg, the trees cool their surrounding area on hot days, provide moisture, filter dust and CO2, which improves air quality. The over 320 different tree species (250,000 trees in total) provide habitats for species. (Reference 5)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
inclusive governance: The project established a platform where the citizens, associations and companies can donate money for tree planting. With this the program is able to foster participation while greening the city (Reference 1).
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved liveability
Health and wellbeing
Improved mental health
Education
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
inclusive governance: The project established a platform where the citizens, associations and companies can donate money for tree planting. With this the program is able to foster participation while greening the city (Reference 1).
Description of social and cultural benefits
As a result of the project, citizens are more aware of the problems facing street trees in a city like Hamburg and have a greater appreciation for them. (Reference 1) According to the municipality of Hamburg, (reference 5), the trees improve the liveability of the city by providing shade and a more comfortable climate. The municipality also states that the trees make citizens happier. (Reference 5)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
- between 2011 and 2016 more than 5600 trees have been planted thanks to the donations (Reference 1)
- there are now 320 different tree species with a total of 250,000 trees in Hamburg. (Reference 5)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Environmental quality
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Other
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown (in September 6, 2020)
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
Yes
Link to a web-based monitoring tool
https://www.hamburg.de/mein-baum-meine-stadt/
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
Yes
Link to GIS monitoring data
http://www.hamburg.de/karte/
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Online Forum
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
The project established a platform where the citizens, associations and companies can donate money for tree planting. With this the program is able to foster participation while greening the city (Reference 1).
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Reference 1: Hamburg – European Green Capital: 5 Years On
Reference 2: Description of the project
Reference 4: Hamburg European Green Capital 2011: "My Tree - My City" Campaign
Reference 5: Green Hamburg: Green Trees, Green City
Reference 6: Wochendienst
List of references
1. Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg, Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt (2012) Mein Baum - Meine Stadt: “Count me in!”: More Street Trees for Hamburg. Hamburg: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg, Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt. Available at: https://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/3481246/a289842c9e9e30455f845a0c5c5c7f5f/data/meinbaum-meinestadt-dokumentation-engl.pdf [Accessed. 03 Sept. 2020]
2. Ministry of Environment and Energy. (2016). Hamburg – European Green Capital: 5 Years On: The city takes further. Hamburg: Ministry of Environment and Energy. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Hamburg-EGC-5-Years-On_web.pdf [Accessed: 03 Sept. 2020]
3. Ec.europe.eu. (2017). European Green Capital. [online] Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/index_en.htm [Accessed: 03 Sept. 2020].
4. Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt. (nd.) Hamburg European Green Capital 2011: "My Tree - My City" Campaign. [online] Available at: Behttps://www.hamburg.de/projects/3542356/mytree-mycity/ [Accessed: 03 Sept. 2020]
5. Hamburg.com. (nd.) Green Hamburg: Green Trees, Green City. [online]. Available at: Hamhttps://www.hamburg.com/residents/green/12627436/trees/ [Accessed: 03 Sept. 2020]
6. Pressestelle des Senats. (2011). Wochenendienst. Available at: Prehttps://epub.sub.uni-hamburg.de/epub/volltexte/2011/12357/pdf/wd_41_2011.pdf [Accessed: 03 Sept. 2020]
Comments and notes
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/mbms-foto1500.jpg
Public Images
Hamburg's government and the "My Tree - My City" campaign
Hamburg's government and the "My Tree - My City" campaign
https://www.hamburg.de/projects/3542356/mytree-mycity/
Politicians of Hamburg planting trees
Politicians of Hamburg planting trees
https://www.hamburg.de/mein-baum-meine-stadt/#detailLayer
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
The Loki Schmidt Foundation (NGO) (Reference 6)