A Playful Approach to Open Ground and More Urban Green Space
Where rainwater can no longer seep into the ground and paved surfaces heat up significantly in the summer, the consequences of climate change are particularly noticeable. The GEWUPPT! campaign highlights the importance of open ground, green spaces, and water-sensitive urban design for a livable Osnabrück. The first phase of the campaign focused on the topic of de-sealing. Through an accessible environmental education initiative, Osnabrück residents were invited to take a fresh look at their city, identify sealed surfaces, and learn about ways they can take action themselves.
Rediscovering Osnabrück Through Play
A key component was a competition lasting several weeks via the Scavenger Hunt app. 113 teams signed up and completed creative challenges throughout Osnabrück related to soil de-sealing, urban green spaces, and climate adaptation. They documented impervious areas, developed ideas for a greener city, and implemented individual de-sealing projects themselves. The tasks combined knowledge, creativity, and collaborative action. The competition was accompanied by cross-media public outreach, events, and expert insights. A network of foundations, government agencies, experts, and other supporters brought the topic to the attention of the city’s residents. The event concluded with an awards ceremony in the Friedenssaal of Osnabrück City Hall. Mayor and patron Katharina Pötter welcomed the participants; Prof. Dr. Sabine Zachgo, director of the Botanical Garden at the University of Osnabrück, provided expert insight into the importance of open ground and soil unsealing.
Environmental Education with Lasting Impact
The app was not intended as an end in itself, but rather as a way to reach people regarding a complex topic and encourage them to get involved. In the future, GEWUPPT! will be expanded to include additional participatory formats and applied to other climate adaptation topics. Schools can also adopt the project: A dedicated school version enables Osnabrück school classes to integrate the activities into their lessons or project days. In this way, GEWUPPT! continues to serve as an educational resource beyond the competition. The idea for GEWUPPT! was developed by the Osnabrück-based agency Kuhl|Frenzel. The project was jointly sponsored and supported by the Haarmann Foundation for Environment and Nature, the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation, and the Evangelical Foundations of Osnabrück. Funding from the Lower Saxony Bingo Environmental Foundation supported its implementation.
