1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Hannover
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Kleingartenkonzept und Kleingartenentwicklung 2016-2025
Short description of the intervention
Allotment gardens have a long tradition in Hannover, with approximately 20.000 gardens stretching around the city as a green belt. In the last decades, some gardens were threatened by disappearance due to investment interests (Reference 1). With the goal to protect these gardens, the city employed a so-called "Kleingartenkonzept" (allotment concept) in 2016 with the help of the association of allotment gardens (Bezirksverband Hannover der Kleingärtner e.V.). The concept aims to keep the number of existing gardens for social and ecological considerations while allowing for new residential investments which is vital for the growing city. (Reference 2).
As part of the concept, extensive inventory examinations were conducted on areas affected by conversion and restructuring, along with the start of implementation of smaller development projects for housing and the creation of replacement gardens in some areas. Because the need for residential spaces has been covered for until the end of 2019, the conversion of allotments for the said land use has been stopped; it will be revisited in 2024. (Reference 2)
To address the problem of future allotment garden losses, gradual elimination of permanent vacancies has started by creating new smaller and more attractive gardens from oversized ones, by improving accessibility and optimizing spaces, and by modernizing allotments (Reference 2).
Address

Hannover
Germany

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Total area
10790000.00m²
NBS area
10790000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Website of the intervention
https://www.hannover.de/Kultur-Freizeit/Naherholung/G%C3%A4rten-genie%C3%9Fen/K…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2016
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The concept is for the period of 2016-2025, meaning that in the next ten years the allotment gardens are protected (Reference 2).
Goals of the intervention
The goals of the project include:
- reaching a compromise with allotment garden-owners and the local association of allotment gardens;
- securing the culture of allotment gardens;
- securing the number of allotment gardens that provide a quality life for its owners;
- securing the allotment gardens having important social and ecological functions in the life of the city and an important role in climate change adaptation and fresh air provision;
- ensuring new building site for residential and commercial purposes;
- modernization of the existing allotment garden system (Reference 2, 3, 4).
Quantitative targets
- Keeping the number of the approximately 20.000 allotment gardens with the re-cultivation of derelict areas and the reduction of oversized gardens (Reference 2).
Monitoring indicators defined
- Number of the allotment gardens (Reference 2).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable production
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
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
Protect species
Control and clean invasive alien species
Means for conservation governance
Raise public awareness
Public engagement
Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation
Capacity building
Implementation activities
Extensive inventory examinations were carried out in the areas affected by conversion and restructuring. At the same time, the implementation of smaller development projects for housing began. The production of replacement gardens in the existing building was supported. The need for new residential construction is covered for the next few years so the conversion of allotment garden areas for residential construction is therefore currently no longer being pursued, and no further for allotment garden areas will be converted into building land in the next five years. It will be revisited again in 2024 to check whether and by when the originally intended housing development on allotment areas will actually be implemented. (Reference 2)

To compensate for future allotment garden losses, the gradual elimination of permanent vacancies has already started. (Reference 2) 813 plots of land which must give wat to housing and commerce, will be replaced by buildings. The tenants are offered new allotment gardens elsewhere. The replacement will be done by reducing the size of oversized gardens and creating smaller and more attractive ones. Moreover, modernization of colonies, redevelopment of paths, and removal of oversized arbours will be implemented. All measures are processed in close coordination between the administration and Hanover district association of allotment gardeners and coordinated in a socially responsible manner with the tenants concerned (Reference 2, 4, 6).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Transformation of previously derelict areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Green corridors and green belts
Community gardens and allotments
Allotments
Community gardens
Please specify "other green areas for water management"
The protection of allotment gardens secure the groundwater recharging rate (Reference 4).
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
Unknown
Vegetation Type
Flower beds
Garden beds
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Raw materials
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Recreation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Non-government organisation/Civil Society
Private sector/Corporate/Company
Citizens or community groups
Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Please specify other local relevant strategy
The city's urban development strategy is in line with the 'Allotment garden concept 2016-2025' [Kleingartenkonzept 2016-2025] (Reference 2).
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The concept was developed by the association of the allotment gardens and the municipality (Reference 2).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Private sector or company
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
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
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
The municipality undertakes to secure the number of allotment gardens in the 'Allotment garden concept' [Kleingartenknonzept]. Besides there are policies that affect the creation of allotment gardens: 'Gardenregulation, 06.03.2004' [Gartenordnung Hannover vom 6.3.2004], 'Guidelines for the creation of building sites in allotment gardens in the State Capital of Hannover, 19.11.2004' [Richtlinie für die Errichtung baulicher Anlagen in Kleingartenanlagen der Landeshauptstadt Hannover vom 19.11.2004], 'Guidelines for determining the appropriate compensation in the case of tenant change in allotment gardens, 01.2002, last amendment 01.04.2004' [Richtlinie zur Ermittlung einer angemessenen Entschädigung bei Pächterwechsel in Kleingärten (Bewertungsrichtlinie) vom Januar 2002, letzte Änderung 1.4.2004] (Reference 3, 5).
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The basis of the protection of the allotment gardens is the 'Allotment garden concept 2016-2025' [Kleingartenkonzept 2016-2025] (Reference 2).
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
The city's urban development strategy is in line with the 'Allotment garden concept 2016-2025' [Kleingartenkonzept 2016-2025] (Reference 2).
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Urban redevelopment 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 association of the allotment gardens provided a study about the current conditions of the allotment gardens and their importance in the ecosystem and local climate of Hannover as a support of the concept (Reference 3).
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Please specify
The city of Hannover supports low-income groups to rent allotment gardens (Reference 6).
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
Other
Please specify other co-financing type
A partnership (between District Association and the City Council
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Already in place
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
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)
The estimated cost of the project is altogether 43 million EUR for 10 years. 25 million EUR is for restructuring and compensation, 5 million EUR is for modernization, 10 million EUR is for remedies if necessary and 3,2 million for additional personal cost (Reference 6).
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Other
Please specify other source of funding
Land sale and lease income
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Asset-backed funding (e.g., leasing)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Business models
Local stewardship model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Policy innovation
Please specify social innovation
The aim of the concept is to keep the number of gardens due to social and ecological considerations, while allowing for new residential investments being vital for the growing city (Reference 2).
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
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Improved soil quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased protection of threatened species
Description of environmental benefits
The Allotment Garden Concept [Kleingartenkonzept] lists many positive impacts of the allotment gardens, which were defined by the analysis of case studies. These positive impacts are:
- benefits for urban development (connecting recreation and settlement areas, providing safe, freely accessible open spaces, branding Hannover, etc.)
- ecological benefits (climate improvement of the city, fresh air supply, preservation of natural soils and their functions, securing groundwater recharge rate, supporting biodiversity, preserving historical plant species, etc.) (Reference 2, 3, 7)
Economic impacts
Attraction of business and investment
Description of economic benefits
Spaces needed for residential and commercial uses as a requirement of a growing city, are made available while preserving the number of allotments.
Provides benefits for urban development (connecting recreation and settlement areas, providing safe, freely accessible open spaces, branding Hannover, etc.) (Reference 2)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved liveability
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Description of social and cultural benefits
-Allotment gardens have a long tradition in Hanover. They provide many people in Hanover with a high quality of life. Hanover's allotments are open to all residents - for walking and relaxation. (Reference 6, 7)
-Allotment gardens promote socially important issues such as integration and inclusion. In addition, employing the concept has rebuilt the relationship of trust between the city and the district association characterized by mutual respect. (Reference 6)
-Provides a place for environmental education and volunteering, cultivating cheap vegetables especially for low income families, etc (Reference 3)



Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Unknown
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Water management (SDG 6)
Marine and coastal research and/or education
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Real estate development
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of historic traditions
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Due to coronavirus, the district association has issued rules aligned with official requirements, banning physical contacts. Community work in the allotment garden that is unavoidable is required to be organized and divided in a way that it is carried out by individual gardeners alone. Celebrations and meetings of several gardeners are not permitted (information from 23.03.2020)(Reference 8).
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Not applicable
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
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: Debates over the allotment gardens
Reference 2: Kleingartenknozept
Reference 4: Impacts of the intervention
Reference 5: Legal basis
Reference 6: Funds
Reference 7: Allotment Garden
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Coronavirus Notice (66.54 KB) 66.54 KB
List of references
1. Harbart, F. (2011). Der parzielle Ärger mit den Kleingärten in Hannover. Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung. [online] Available at: http://www.haz.de/Hannover/Aus-der-Stadt/Uebersicht/Der-parzielle-Aerger-mit-den-Kleingaerten-in-Hannover. [Accessed: 05.07.2020].
2. Hannover.de. (2017). Kleingartenkonzept 2016 - 2025. [online]. Available at: https://www.hannover.de/Kultur-Freizeit/Naherholung/G%C3%A4rten-genie%C3%9Fen/Kleing%C3%A4rten/Kleingartenkonzept-2016-2025. [Accessed: 06.07.2020].
3. Fachbereich Umwelt und Stadtgrün, Landeshauptstadt Hannover. (2016). Kleingartenkonzept 2016-2025 – Teil A. Hannover: Fachbereich Umwelt und Stadtgrün, Landeshauptstadt Hannover.
4. Andreas, S. (2016). Diese Kleingarten-Kolonien sind betroffen. Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung [online]. Available at: http://www.haz.de/Hannover/Aus-der-Stadt/Uebersicht/Bauprojekt-der-Stadt-Hannover-Kleingaertner-muessen-ihre-Parzellen-aufgeben. [Accessed: 06.07.2020].
5. Hannover.de. (2020). Rechtsgrundlagen. [online] Available at: https://www.hannover.de/Kultur-Freizeit/Naherholung/G%C3%A4rten-genie%C3%9Fen/Kleing%C3%A4rten/Rechtsgrundlagen. [Accessed: 06.07.2020].
6. Hannover.de. (2020). Beschluss zum Kleingartenkonzept 2016-2025. [online] Available at: https://www.hannover.de/Kultur-Freizeit/Naherholung/G%C3%A4rten-genie%C3%9Fen/Kleing%C3%A4rten/Beschluss-zum-Kleingartenkonzept-2016-2025. [Accessed: 06.07.2019].
7. Hannover.de. (2019). Kleingärten. [online] Available at: https://www.hannover.de/Kultur-Freizeit/Naherholung/G%C3%A4rten-genie%C3%9Fen/Kleing%C3%A4rten. [Accessed: 06.07.2020].
8. Hannover.de. (2020). Coronavirus: Kleingartenanlagen. Available at: chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://www.hannover.de/content/download/821548/20924206/file/Coronavirus+Ausgangsbeschr%C3%A4nkung.pdf. [Accessed: 06.07.2020]
Comments and notes
Additional insights
Some tenants has already expressed their dissatisfaction with the program. For example a tenant in the ade of 61 it is not an option to get a new allotment gardens instead of a garden in which the family has been cultivating for 80 years (Reference 4).