Students design the Marburg schoolyard: a paradise for nature and play!

Students design the Marburg schoolyard: a paradise for nature and play!

In the heart of Marburg, the schoolyard of the Philippinum high school is currently undergoing a comprehensive redesign. Students have taken the helm themselves and are committed to making their schoolyard close to nature and play-friendly. Most schools in Germany are still characterized by bare concrete surfaces, and the “Climate-Friendly Schoolyards in Hesse” initiative wants to change that. [Tagesschau] reports that an area of ​​1,200 square meters is being redesigned with an impressive budget of 500,000 euros, which was previously uninviting with exposed concrete, old seating and a table tennis table.

The planned redesign envisages a hilly landscape profile that will be enhanced with play equipment, trees and a small stream. A very special focus is on ensuring that the students actively participate in the design - for example, they are involved in building benches or a climbing course. This participatory approach is at the heart of the redesign, which is supported by the Marburg company Alea, which specializes in such projects.

Creating a green school environment

“Schoolyards should not just be lounges, but places where students can experience nature, relax and learn,” explains a representative of German Environmental Aid, which supports these projects in several federal states. [Deutsche Umwelthilfe] considers it essential that schoolyards are more than just dreary areas. Instead of asphalt wastelands, they should be transformed into green living spaces that take climate change into account while increasing the quality of life. The aim is to breathe new life into unknown and unused areas and to promote sustainability.

In recent decades, little attention has been paid to natural criteria when designing schoolyards. These often sealed areas heat up significantly in summer, while they can hardly store water during heavy rain, which leads to flooding. At the same time, a lack of greenery reduces the well-being of the students. [Good Ideas] offers solutions by creating diverse recreation spaces and a strategy to increase exercise opportunities. Enough space for creativity and experiencing nature has a positive effect on concentration and stress reduction.

Together for a better future

The project at the Philippinum is considered one of the most extensive in Hesse and is an excellent example of how many schools can benefit from such initiatives. Until the schoolyard is completed, which is scheduled for next year, the students will not only improve their own environment, but also learn why the climate and nature are important factors in their daily lives.

The concept is accompanied by workshops and individual advice to support schools on their journey to schoolyards close to nature. The support is not only provided locally, but also through close cooperation with environmental ministries at the federal level. The next federal congress on climate adaptation in May 2025, where the impact of natural schoolyards will be discussed under the motto “Sustainable school grounds”, will also focus on innovative approaches.

It remains exciting to see how the schoolyard of the Philippinum grammar school will develop and how such a project can affect the students. The goal is clear: a schoolyard that is not only a place for recreation, but also serves to promote biodiversity and social interaction.