News Archive
Posted 03/05/12
Regional Garden Festival (Landesgartenschau) Schwäbisch Gmünd
An idea originating in North Rhine Westfalia in the 1970’s to regenerate poorer areas and towns particularly following the closure of pits was quickly copied and now is used all over Germany to improve the quality of life and ecological climate of cities and the surrounding areas. This main ‘aim’ is often in combination with developing areas or regions.
Although the central theme is horticultural and gardening, involvement by the communities not only results in improvements to cities and surrounding areas but closer association and “well- being” with the surrounding communities creating a feeling of being ‘needed’ and ‘in it together.’
Each Federal state in Germany supports this project and cities or regions are chosen years in advance to hold this prestigious event. Between 1980 and 2000 the events were held annually but since 2001 every consecutive year with a smaller show in the year in between.
Considered a major honour to be chosen by the Federal state, the event brings fabulous marketing and publicity opportunities to the city placing it firmly on the map particularly leading up to the start of the six months long event, but of course the redevelopments and infrastructure remain for many years. It is however for many chosen cities still a calculated risk with help and grants coming from the Federal state government - in the case of 2014 Festival, Schwäbisch Gmünd will look to Stuttgart.
Planned Recreational spaces are a decisive factor for Regional Garden Festival (Landesgartenschau) Schwäbisch Gmünd 2014 and beyond.
The Regional Garden Festival is to be held in Schwäbisch Gmünd in 2014 and is one of the biggest opportunities for the city. For the duration of six months the town will be the regional capital.
The aim is to create unique attractions for all the visitors to this event.
Over a million visitors from Baden-Wurttemberg and the neighbouring countries including their twin towns are expected and City, state, government, businesses and individuals are already investing in many places in the city. Town regeneration is also closely linked with the Regional Garden Festival and parts of the city are being completely redeveloped and integrated into the festival grounds.
At the estuary of the rivers Josefsbach and Rems the plan is to create an area for rest and recreation directly by the water.
The existing Stadtgarten will be extended by this new Remspark.
Schwäbisch Gmünd will have a large park area right in the middle of the town centre where people can enjoy walks, other recreational activities or just sit awhile and rest.
Another area of the decentralised Garden Festival is the country park on the outskirts of Wetzgau. Wetzgau is a part of Schwäbisch Gmünd which is linked to the other areas of the Regional Garden Festival through the recreational forest of Taubental.
This large country park will, for example, contain show gardens and contributions from clubs and societies. It is framed on one side by the Weleda Gardens and on the other by the Schönblick complex, so there will be much to explore in this area. 
These new recreational spaces will be a decisive factor in attracting citizens, shoppers and visitors back to the town centre even after the end of the Garden Festival.
All these investments will it's hoped, create new jobs in the town centre and safeguard existing ones.
The inclusion of the various districts (e.g. with contributions to the programme) will concentrate and increase the sense of community in Gmünd and will support stronger ties within the communal family.
Together with the citizens and their ideas and suggestions it is hoped they will succeed in making the Garden Festival areas a creative platform for all urban districts.
