Münster „Urban Ecology Educational Walk“
An educational walk offering elucidations of various ecological and historical subjects at various reference points has been created along the inner city stretch of the river Aa.
Context
Source: Oliver Niermann, BBR
The footpath along the river Aa had originally been established in 1950 to provide the citizens of Münster with a walk through nature within the inner city area, but was not very attractive at first. The insufficient appointment of the centrally located green area was caused by a lack of funds.
Project description
Source: Oliver Niermann, BBR
As part of a gift from the state authorities occasioned by the city’s 1.200-year anniversary, the walk along the Aa river was redeveloped and partly redesigned. This included nature-compatible paving in some sections, a renewal of the water bound road surfaces, as well as safety and development measures.
Wherever the walk passes some particularly attractive parts of the town centre and old town, an ecological urban walk was installed. Location-related signage draws the visitor’s attention to unique features of the urban architecture and ecology such as (natural) monuments etc. An informative brochure containing more detailed information on individual stations was created to accompany the walk.
Project chronology
Year | Event |
---|---|
1994 | Start of the redevelopment and construction of the educational walk |
1996 | Conclusion of the measure |
From 1997 | Maintenance and preservation measures |
Aims
Source: Oliver Niermann, BBR
- Exemplary explanation of ecological relationships in the townscape
- Presenting the town as a biosphere for human beings, animals and plants
- Mediation of location-related information on the town’s history
- Promoting understanding for a careful approach to nature
- Offering an attractive, natural walk within the town centre
Types of measures
Source: Oliver Niermann, BBR
- Paving and refurbishment of the walk’s surface
- Planting measures
- Development measures (stairs, wheelchair ramps)
- Build-up of individual stations (information signs)
- Creation of an information brochure
Innovations
Source: Oliver Niermann, BBR
The urban ecology educational walk runs through the entire inner city area. All along the walk, explanations repeatedly demonstrate the connections to the immediate environment and vividly describe issues from various disciplines which are of relevance to the town. In addition to this, the areas included in the walk along the Aa river possess a distinct open space quality.
Sources
- Stadt Münster (Münster Council), Amt für Grünflächen und Naturschutz (Parks Department) (ed.) (1996): Aaseitenweg (Walk Along the Aa River)
Further information
Poject site on Google-Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Npy38XnTNAU2
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 48143 - town: Münster - street: Bispinghof/Aaseitenweg .
Last update: 04.10.2017