The project, which is unique in Germany, was already launched in 2010 and has since continuously developed. It centres on an approach to the long-term and sustainable management of green spaces in order to make the city more lively, environment-friendly and differentiated. Here, sustainability and biodiversity form the basis for promoting urban agriculture and rouse the interest of the city’s inhabitants in more conscious and healthier eating habits. In this context, the integration of urban agriculture aspects in the city’s green spaces is a crucial element. By planting public vegetable beds that are not only accessible to everyone but can also be harvested by all citizens, Andernach has embarked on a new course. This peri-urban permaculture garden area enables the city to promote urban diversity in public spaces as well as socialising among its citizens.

Each year, a particular useful plant is given a special focus. For example, along the wall in the Schlossgarten, 101 tomato varieties were planted in 2010 as well as 100 varieties of beans in 2011 and 20 varieties of onions in 2012, while 2013 was the year of the cabbage. A small vineyard with grape varieties for direct consumption is located in the immediate vicinity. An enormous amount of new options have been created to use plants for design purposes. Here, one aim is to demonstrate biodiversity temporarily and make it comprehensible in smaller areas.

On a wall exposed to the South, the “Eatable City Wall” was installed in 2012. Here, sub-Mediterranean fruit trees such as kaki, almonds in shells, fig, bitter orange or common pawpaw can be found. The re-establishment of plants and fruit trees that used to be indigenous but have become rare, such as quince, medlar and Cornelian cherry is also part of the project. The ecological and economic refurbishment of the green spaces has been continued with a transformation of the cost-intensive alternating beds into sustainable beds for herbaceous perennials. Whereas small-area alternating beds are to be kept in the Rhine green spaces, the alternating beds in the city and its districts have been turned into areas planted with a high level of variety, diversity in design and aesthetic appeal. 

With its “Eatable City” project, Andernach has succeeded in combining ideas coming from sustainable urban development with concepts from the field of biodiversity and nutrition. Experience has shown that many synergy effects have developed through this approach. Together with the wildflower meadows, the high-quality useful plant areas are a genuine alternative to the usual cost-intensive and elaborately maintained utility lawns and other urban green spaces. The example of Andernach has demonstrated that incidents of vandalism that had initially been feared have not occurred, and the permacultures have also gone down well with the population.