1.5 – one scientist, five questions with Dr. Falko Feldmann

Hello Dr. Feldmann, what is your personal motivation to promote urban greening?

Behind my motivation lies my fascination for symbiotic ways of life. Even during my studies, I was particularly interested in the symbiosis between plants and fungi. In the process, I realized that in extreme cases, one organism can rely so much on the functions of the other that its existence would no longer be possible without this symbiosis. On the way to such obligate dependencies, there are many transitional forms on a parasitism-mutualism continuum. In my view, very comparable relationships can also be found between people. I try to understand how cooperation arises from the encounter between people and how it can be induced. This is where my work in urban gardens of urban greenery begins.

In urban gardens, we try to encourage cooperation between all stakeholders. By setting an example, by following the example of others or by planned discussion followed by joint action.

What role do plants, gardens and green spaces play in the city?

Green spaces of all kinds in the city have the task of ensuring quality of life outside of one's own home. In a recent research project, we demonstrated the multifunctionality of gardens using the example of the Ludwigsgarten in Braunschweig. We would also like to see this multifunctionality for all green spaces in the city. This involves a critical examination of the questions of what an area was created for and what functions it can take on. Can the area be used to produce food? Does it have an impact on the climate? Does it serve to bring people together and allow them to interact? In this way, one function can be defined after another.

But defining the function is not enough; evidence for the function must also be collected. The Ludwigsgarten in Braunschweig is partly a self-sufficient garden – we know the yield, a climate garden – we know the cooling effect, a therapy garden – we know the healing effects, and even a cultural heritage garden. We prove the latter by bringing together certain traditional cultural aspects in the garden every year in a participatory way, thus contributing to cultural exchange: in the garden, we got to know and appreciate important plants from their former homeland from people in the neighborhood with an African migration background. Today, for example, our garden is unthinkable without chillies, and our friends feel at home when they see them. Traditional local fruit varieties and heirloom vegetables are grown and preserved here, and their advantages are communicated. Through the plants, we exchange information about different cultures, their festivals and customs, and create the conditions for a new image of an inclusive society to emerge from the mutual appreciation of cultural aspects.

This simple example shows the great variety of uses for gardens and green spaces. Without green spaces, the city would look much duller.

How is the Braunschweig Garden Network involved in the OPEN_CULTURES Climate Future Lab?

As the Braunschweig Garden Network, we want to involve individuals who have gardens, but also communities that run gardens together, in a grassroots climate performance as part of the climate future lab OPEN_CULTURES. It is very important to us that everyone can participate and thus see how they can influence the climate. This not only makes it clear that everyone is responsible for the climate, but also that everyone can do something to change it in the right direction.

In the Climate Future Lab, we as a garden network will also be researched by the other sub-projects. So we ourselves are research subjects and objects. The way we behave will be analyzed. I find that very exciting. This is a great motivation for the Braunschweig Garden Network to participate in this project.

What can citizens do to make the city greener?

Involvement in community gardens would be a good starting point for working towards more urban greenery and building networks with like-minded people there. After all, community gardens are supposed to bring people together. So it would also make sense to create these gardens in close proximity to neighborhoods. From here, green ideas would find their way into society and everyone would influence their environment in this direction.

How can citizens participate without the famous green thumb?

Well, I don't really know what a green thumb is (laughs). In our community gardens, people usually work together without any previous gardening experience. Each and every one of us has special skills and interests. We try to engage people and involve them in the community garden in such a way that they can develop and use their skills. This works extremely well and leads to the beneficial experience of self-efficacy.

But there is a huge range of opportunities to get involved, even outside of community gardens. From tree sponsorship to active participation in Fridays for Future, there is a wide range of options for everyone to get involved in, from the smallest to the largest endeavors.

Thank you for the interview.

Contact person

Dr. Falko Feldmann

feldmann@inbraunschweig.org

You can also find more information here:

The Braunschweig Garden Network:

www.gartennetzwerk.inbraunschweig.org

Further reading:

‘Sustainable development of a multifunctional community garden: implementation of the Ludwigsgarten in Braunschweig’

https://ojs.openagrar.de/index.php/Kulturpflanzenjournal/article/view/17693