Especially in heavily trafficked urban areas, paved outdoor spaces often offer little in the way of a pleasant environment. As part of the “Lebendige Aussenräume” (Vibrant Outdoor Spaces) program, Allreal is making Schiffbauplatz available for the “Grünes Gastspiel” pilot project organized by Grün Stadt Zürich. Over the course of about two years, the project will test how temporarily placed trees can contribute to shade, recreational opportunities, and social interactions in urban spaces.
Temporary Greening Enhances the Quality of Outdoor Spaces
The young trees are planted in containers placed on specially designed pedestals with built-in water reservoirs. This allows for the greening of areas where permanent planting is not feasible in the short term. For Allreal, the project is an opportunity to gain experience with temporary greening in existing developments and to better understand how such measures can contribute to the quality of outdoor spaces.
The project combines ecological and social aspects: The trees provide visible greenery and aim to enhance the quality of outdoor spaces while making paved areas more pleasant to use. At the same time, the initiative demonstrates how partnerships with the public sector can provide new impetus for the further development of urban outdoor spaces.
The insights gained from the pilot project will inform the further development of our sites. In this way, Allreal supports approaches that integrate ecological and social aspects into the design of outdoor spaces and foster community interaction within the neighborhood.
A Pilot Project for the City of Tomorrow
The "Green Guest Performance" is designed as a multi-year pilot project. Before the trees are permanently planted in the ground, they will remain at their temporary locations for about two years. This will allow researchers to observe how different tree species adapt to conditions in the urban environment.
A total of about 50 trees are being placed at various locations throughout Zurich. The trees are housed in planted pots on specially developed pedestals with built-in water reservoirs. Sensors continuously record environmental data such as soil moisture and CO₂ levels to scientifically monitor their development in an urban context.
The project takes a clear approach: it demonstrates the positive impact that greening has on the cityscape and quality of life—even in areas where the ground is heavily paved. At the same time, new approaches to urban design are being tested that can contribute to a climate-resilient and livable city in the long term.
Diversity of Locations and Tree Species
The project’s locations—including Schiffbauplatz—have been deliberately chosen for their diversity. Diversity is also a priority when it comes to tree species: In addition to native species, climate-resilient trees are specifically being used to test their suitability for future urban conditions.
The positive feedback from the first phase of the project speaks for itself: A large majority of the surveyed population considers the temporary greening to be valuable and would like to see more of it in public spaces.
Contributing to vibrant outdoor spaces
By making Schiffbauplatz available, Allreal actively supports the development of a greener, more livable city. The project exemplifies how even temporary measures can enhance the quality of urban spaces and open up new perspectives for their long-term design.