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Cologne

Roots & Rebellion: Cologne's Green Uprising

6.7 km172 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Discover the hidden battleground of Cologne, where concrete meets chlorophyll. Join urban planner Tom and local expert Noa on an intimate journey through the city's grassroots struggle for green space. From historic green belts and guerrilla tree-pit gardens to the gentrified waterfront and triumphant community sanctuaries, you'll uncover how ordinary citizens are reclaiming their city, one seed at a time. This isn't just a tour about plants; it's a story of community, climate resilience, and the democratic right to the urban landscape.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Oberländer Wall

The historic inner green belt, showcasing Cologne's macro-level green infrastructure.

3.87 km • 60 min
During your walk

Interlude

A deep dive into the complex issue of green gentrification.

2

STOP 2

Rheinauhafen / Harry-Blum-Platz

The gentrified harbor development representing top-down, concrete-heavy urban planning.

Rheinauhafen / Harry-Blum-Platz

Image by Raimond Spekking on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.41 km • 6 min
3

STOP 3

Bürgerhaus Stollwerck

A former chocolate factory saved from demolition by citizen squatters, now a community hub.

Bürgerhaus Stollwerck

Image by Martin aka Maha on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

0.98 km • 15 min
4

STOP 4

Teutoburger Straße Baumscheiben

A street showcasing micro-level guerrilla gardening in tree pits.

0.59 km • 9 min
5

STOP 5

Bauspielplatz Friedenspark (Baui)

A grassroots youth project integrating wild nature and community building in an old Prussian fort.

Bauspielplatz Friedenspark (Baui)

Image by SylvesterCologne on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.45 km • 7 min
6

STOP 6

Former NeuLand Site

The birthplace of the NeuLand project, highlighting the precarity of temporary urban gardens.

Former NeuLand Site

Image by Duhon on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.44 km • 7 min
7

END

NeuLand Köln e.V.

The thriving, permanent home of Cologne's premier urban gardening project.

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Urban explorers, eco-activists, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone curious about grassroots community building.
  • Best time Late spring to early autumn, preferably during daylight hours to see the gardens in full bloom.
  • Bring water Stay hydrated, especially during summer months.
  • Comfortable shoes We will be walking through parks, cobblestones, and dirt paths.
  • Respect the gardens Look closely, but please do not pick the plants or disturb the micro-habitats.
  • Camera ready You'll want to capture the stark contrast between concrete architecture and guerrilla greenery.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
Audio sample
0:000:00

Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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