"Pave over" and win

Behind the name "abpflastern" is a Germany-wide competition in which areas sealed with paving stones, concrete or asphalt, for example, are broken up and planted. Projects from Chemnitz are also to be submitted.

[Translate to English:] Picture: Kristin Grabner, post-processed with AI

The aim is clear: residents, local authorities and organisations are taking up the shovel together and unsealing public and private areas - to win the competition and for the future of their neighbourhood.

The city of Chemnitz is also taking part and paving over. At its meeting on 18 March, Chemnitz City Council approved the comprehensive renewal and redesign of Reinhardtstraße between Lessingplatz and Palmstraße. The road section is currently fully sealed. The remodelling will create a continuous green strip on one side. In addition, 21 trees will be planted with a corresponding tree bed. This will noticeably reduce the degree of sealing, allow water to seep away better, significantly enhance the street space and improve the quality of life. Once the project has made visible progress, the city of Chemnitz will submit it to the competition.

But everyone can take part: Any area that is unsealed in the city of Chemnitz can be submitted. This could be gravelled gardens, sealed driveways and paths, for example. In the end, the municipality with the most paved stones wins. For the competition, the areas must be paved between 21 March and 31 October and registered at www.abpflastern.de by the last day of the competition at the latest.

In order to submit the project, the area must be measured and a photo taken before paving and one of the completed, planted area.

All information and important questions and answers: