Back in 2020, the City of Bonn and the Ströer media group launched the "Smart City Partner City" project to test nature-based solutions to promote biodiversity in collaboration with SWB Bus und Bahn. The first pilot site at the Bad Godesberg Bahnhof/Löbestraße stop marked the start of the project. Since then, the concept has been continuously expanded and numerous other stops have been equipped with green roofs.

Sustainable and functional advantages

The green stop roofs make a significant contribution to improving the urban climate. The sedum plants used, also known as "stonecrop", store water, cool the air through evaporation and absorb fine dust, thereby improving air quality.

In addition, the green roofs are low-maintenance, store rainwater and provide nectar-rich flowers from May to October, which serve as a valuable source of food for insects. "For our passengers, the planted stops mean more comfort, as the greenery provides cooling on hot days and creates a more pleasant waiting atmosphere," says Anja Wenmakers, Managing Director of SWB Bus und Bahn.

Katja Dörner, Mayor Katja Dörner and Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of SWB Bus und Bahn, is convinced of the environmentally friendly benefits of the greenery: "With their insect-friendly planting, the bus shelters serve as stepping stone biotopes that connect the habitats of insects and other species. In this way, they clearly demonstrate that greening even small areas can make ecological sense and encourage the greening of other roofs or façades."

Alexander Stotz, CEO of Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH, believes that this is an enrichment for the city of Bonn: "The increasing greening of street furniture is an important building block for the climate-resilient development of cities. For several years now, Ströer has been greening infrastructure such as bus shelters and advertising pillars in public spaces, making a visible contribution to increasing the quality of life and improving the microclimate in the city. We look forward to continuing to work on this development towards a smart city together with the City of Bonn and Stadtwerke Bonn."

Further expansion planned

Of the 45 green bus shelters, five are currently located in Bad Godesberg, three in Beuel, four in Hardtberg and 33 in the city district of Bonn, from Röttgen to the city center to Tannenbusch. This corresponds to around ten percent of SWB bus shelters. In view of their success, further stops with green roofs are to follow this year.

Citizens can also contribute to the greening of roofs and facades. Information on funding opportunities is available at www.bonn.de/klimafoerderung.