Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environmental Department: “The state capital of Mainz is participating in ‘abpflastern’ for the first time. Together, we can send a strong signal in favor of more nature, biodiversity, and adaptation to the consequences of climate change. Whether in courtyards, front yards, driveways, terraces, or parking lots—wherever pavement, concrete, or asphalt is removed and areas are re-greened, new habitats for plants and animals are created, and the quality of life for people is enhanced. The city of Mainz is participating in the competition by removing paving from several public areas in Neustadt and the Old Town. These projects are made possible by federal funding through the ‘Natural Climate Protection in Municipalities’ program.”

“abpflastern” is organized by students at the University of Applied Sciences for Social Design in Koblenz. Cities and municipalities compete against each other in a friendly contest. The central question is: Which city removes the most paving stones? Every square meter counts.

Eligible to participate:

• Clubs
• Companies
• Individuals
• Initiatives and other organizations

Here’s how to participate:

• Take a photo of the area before the unsealing
• Take a photo of the area after it has been unpaved and measure it
• Submit the project via the online form “Register Area” at mainz.de/abpflastern
• Unpave additional areas—and collect points for Mainz together

Participants confirm that they are the owners or authorized users of the area. The City of Mainz assumes no liability for any damage related to the unpaving. Fire department access roads and emergency routes are not suitable for unpaving. 

Further information about the competition and registration will follow shortly at www.mainz.de/abflastern.

The City of Mainz also plans to enter unpaved areas into the competition, including those on Reichklarastraße. 

Ludwig Holle, Head of the Building Department: "Since November 2024, the Natural History Museum on Reichklarastraße has also been housing the temporary home of the Gutenberg Museum. An important access route to both museums runs from Flachsmarktstraße via Reichklarastraße. This makes it all the more wonderful—especially for the many museum visitors from all over the world—that this area is now being unpaved, landscaped, and upgraded overall. In this way, the museums, which already impress with modern exhibitions inside, will also gain a truly inviting entrance area outside, which will sustainably enhance the entire neighborhood and underscore the significance of these buildings for Mainz.”

The City of Mainz plans to submit the following projects to the competition:

Reichklarastraße: Removal of the existing pavement around the display case of the Natural History Museum and on the parking spaces behind it; greening and tree planting on the unpaved areas. Creation of seating areas. The existing charging station will be relocated to the immediate vicinity. 

Kaiserstraße / corner of Boppstraße: Partial removal of the asphalt surface in the area of the sidewalk and conversion into green spaces with shrubs and perennials. Parking spaces will remain. 

Altenauergasse / corner of Hintere Christofsgasse: Removal of paving from a section around the memorial plaque for the deported Sinti of Mainz. Creation of a small green space with tree planting. Addition of a bench. 

Balthasar-Maler-Platz: Partial removal of the paved area and integration of existing tree locations into larger, contiguous planting areas. Preservation and addition of street furniture. 

Holzhofstraße / corner of Schönbornstraße: Enlargement of the existing tree pits and creation of a contiguous green space. Addition of bicycle parking facilities. 

Barbarossaring: Demolition of the no-longer-needed crossing at the former fire station site and closing of gaps in the roadside green spaces with shrub plantings. If possible, expansion of the existing rows of trees with additional tree locations. 

As a further measure, the removal of paving and the greening of sections of Neubrunnenstraße are planned. A prerequisite for the start of construction is the approval of the city budget by the ADD.