Woodland amidst the racecourse scene
Former Racetrack in Bremen to Transform into Recreational Area, Including a Climate Forest
In a significant move, a public vote has approved the development of a 30-hectare former racetrack in the Vahr area of Bremen into a recreational area. Notably, the eastern part of the area will feature a climate forest.
The area now boasts a pedestrian and cycling path connecting Hemelingen and Vahr Districts in a north-south direction since 2023. Currently, other parts of the racetrack are utilized for temporary purposes. Sen. Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economy, Harbors, and Transformation, explained, "The climate forest will primarily serve as land compensation for Arcelor Mittal Bremen. This new green space will offset the forest that will be cleared for the steelworks' climate-neutral restructuring. Simultaneously, it will provide a valuable recreational space for citizens and contribute to climate and nature conservation."
The Hanseatic Nature Development (Haneg) will initially plant 4.65 hectares of the 10-hectare climate forest with common native deciduous forest tree and shrub species. Over time, the area is intended to evolve into a semi-natural forest, with larger tree species in the core and smaller shrubs and tall herbaceous plants at the edges. Parts of the forest will be accessible and intersected by small paths.
The Bremen Senate plans to fund one-third of the total project costs, approximately 490,000 euros, each for environment, economy, construction, mobility, and urban development sectors, to further develop the former racetrack area, supporting the decarbonization of the steelworks.
When considering native tree species for the Bremen forest development, common beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak species (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) are suitable choices. These dominant native species play a critical role in forming age-class beech forests, promoting biodiversity. Oak species support various wildlife, while oak and deciduous species collectively cover about 43% of forest area in Germany[2][3].
Native conifers, while not always native, can still contribute to the forest. Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) are common planted species in the region, with Scots Pine naturally present in the Bremen area. When planning the climate forest, it's essential to consider climate resilience by selecting species that tolerate warmer and drier conditions expected in the region's future[1].
In summary, planting native common beech (Fagus sylvatica), oak species (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur), and native shrubs typical of hedgerows will contribute to the sustainable development of Bremen's climate forest, providing essential habitat for wildlife and adapting to climate change[1][2][3].
- The climate forest in the former racetrack of Bremen, while initially planted with common native deciduous tree and shrub species, will eventually evolve into a semi-natural forest, benefiting the environmental-science field and promoting climate-change adaptation.
- As part of the revitalization of the Bremen racetrack area, the growing climate forest will not only serve as a valuable recreational space for citizens but also contribute significantly to nature conservation and lifestyle improvements, aligning with home-and-garden and environmental-science trends.
- In light of the planned climate-neutral restructuring of Arcelor Mittal Bremen, the climate forest will act as a crucial piece of offsetting the clearing of existing forests, employing science to lessen the steelworks' overall environmental impact and bestowing our planet with a greener and more resilient future.
