Gardens under attack: Munich tenants fight for their flowers!

Gardens under attack: Munich tenants fight for their flowers!

On Waldeckstrasse in Untergiesing, the tenants have to dismantle their small, lovingly landscaped gardens. The property management has informed the residents that the unauthorized beds must be removed. Signs on the gardens indicate that they were created without permission. The room is not intended for private use, which is met with great displeasure among residents. Tenants emphasize how important these gardens are to the community as they bring joy and vitality.

André Löwig, a long-time resident, reports that there are up to 20 beds in the neighborhood, some of which have existed for more than 40 years. They are not only a place for plants, but also a meeting place for neighbors and provide habitat for many animals such as birds, hedgehogs, bumblebees, bees and dragonflies. In addition, people from outside, such as those suffering from dementia, also visit the small oases of nature, which underlines the social importance of these gardens.

A question of community

Residents agree that gardening helps maintain neighborly relationships and strengthens community spirit. For many, these gardens represent an oasis of relaxation and encounters. While the property management has not yet responded to the allegations, the tenants agree: There is something going on! They don't want to give up so easily and continue to work for their gardens.

In Munich, tenant gardens are not uncommon in the urban landscape. They are located on the properties or roofs of residential complexes and are created by tenants or owners. According to urbane-gaerten-muenchen.de, there are several hundred such shared gardens in the city. These gardens are particularly encouraged in new development areas such as Riem and in cooperative housing projects. The horticulture building department of the city of Munich supports the expansion of green spaces through various programs that have been active since 1974.

What do other cities say?

A look beyond borders shows that similar challenges and opportunities in urban gardening exist in international cities like New York. Over the decades, many community gardens have been created there, which are not only considered green oases in a hectic city, but are also meeting places for local residents. These initiatives have proven how important urban greenery is for citizens' well-being. Gardens like the one on the Lower East Side show that through community engagement, valuable living spaces can be created that also promote social cohesion, as can be read in a report by taz.

The situation on Waldeckstrasse is therefore not isolated. It is part of a much larger discussion about the appreciation of urban green spaces and their importance for social interaction. The tenants in Untergiesing now hope that their voices will be heard and that their beloved gardens will be preserved - not only for them, but also for the many animals and people who benefit from them.