Get out of gray! Greenpeace is looking for Austria's green oases against concrete deserts

Get out of gray! Greenpeace is looking for Austria's green oases against concrete deserts

Österreich - Greenpeace Austria today launched the second round of the “Austria's 9 concrete treasures” campaign, which under the motto “Get out of gray!” stands. The organization is intensively committed to the return of nature to urban areas. The focus is on public areas that are unnecessarily sealed with concrete and asphalt. These hard surfaces in particular lead to the formation of heat islands and reduce biodiversity in our cities. The goal of the campaign is clear: to create more space for trees, bushes and bees in all federal states.

By August 26, 2025, all Austrians are called to nominate areas that they think urgently need to be designed greener. The nominations can simply be submitted via the website act.gp/betonschaetze2025 . A specialist jury will evaluate the places submitted, and the result is supplemented by an online audience voting. On September 9, 2025, the “concrete treasure” with the most votes per state will be presented in a press conference.

positive urban climate by more green

Melanie Ebner, expert in soil protection at Greenpeace, emphasizes the positive effects of more green areas on the city climate and the quality of life. International examples show that nature can be recovered to urban areas. The importance of urban greening cannot be emphasized enough: it significantly improves the microclimate in cities by increasing air quality, reducing damage caused by pollutants and fine dust and acting as natural cooler.

As the WWF explains, concrete and asphalt strain the problems of urban heat, especially in the summer months. These surfaces store heat and are often responsible for an unpleasant climate in cities. In addition, the compression of the areas destroys valuable habitats for plants and animals that are important for biodiversity. Urban green, on the other hand, promotes biodiversity and creates habitats for a variety of species.

advantages of urban greenery

Stadtgrün has many positive effects that also go beyond the pure beautification of the area. Because plants reduce carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and produce oxygen. In addition, they cool the surroundings through transpiration and shadow formation. This cooling counteracts the urban heat of heat effect and reduces the need for air conditioning.

• improvement of air quality
• reduction of temperature tips
• increase in quality of life
• promotion of social interactions
• increase in real estate value

An example of successful greening projects are the High Line in New York and the Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin. Such variants not only offer retreats for residents, but also food sources and shelter for insects and birds. However, sustainable urban development requires resources, care and long -term planning. The integration of the community in planning and care is crucial for the success of these projects.