Award for green oases

Greenery on and around buildings contributes significantly to the beautification of our cityscape. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, greenery on buildings is of great importance for the urban climate and ecology. Rainwater is retained, stored and later released again, creating a balanced microclimate in summer. The leaf mass binds pollutants such as CO2 and provides food and habitat for numerous animals such as birds and insects. Last but not least, the color green has a calming and relaxing effect on us humans - green is a piece of perceived quality of life.

Competition 2025

The winners of this year's "Award for Green Oases in Jena" have been announced. All owners and designers of ecologically and aesthetically particularly successful green façades, roofs, balconies, front gardens, courtyards and fallow land were invited to apply.

The prize is worth a total of €2,000 and has been divided among several winners.

On 22.10.2025, Dirk Lange, Head of Urban Development, congratulated the winner, Ms. Zaubitzer, on behalf of all the prizewinners for the green oasis she designed with great dedication on the block of flats at Friedenstraße 67. A formerly monotonous lawn has been transformed into a near-natural, insect-friendly planting area - with more than 40 native wild plants and varied flowering aspects. The project is considered an exemplary model for nature-oriented redesign in residential areas. Ms. Zaubitzer received €600 in prize money.

The Scheller family also received an award for their commitment. Their balcony in the 11-storey building at Felix-Auerbach-Straße 18 creates a striking green accent in the large south-facing façade. Flowering plants, wild shrubs and useful plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers and beans grow there in the smallest of spaces. Even a small pond provides a habitat. This project proves that urban diversity is possible even in the smallest of spaces. Prize money of €400 was awarded for this achievement.

The roof of the AWO multi-generation house at Rudolf-Breitscheid-Straße 2 was transformed into a versatile roof garden with extensive greenery and a covered outdoor seating area. This is used jointly by the residents and neighbors. The project impressively demonstrates how unused gravel roofs can be transformed into green meeting spaces. Ms. Donat and Ms. Haschke received prize money of €300 and a plant from the Boock nursery.

Further awards went to

• Anja Wahlmann for a generously landscaped courtyard at Westbahnhofstrasse 11, which is open to both residents and employees,
• The Hörhold family at Lützowstrasse 7, whose green façade received an award 13 years ago and today shows how well-tended gardens can become more beautiful over the years, and
• The Fuchs family at Gustav-Freytag-Straße 7 for their successful redesign of a front garden with attractive flowering shrubs and perennials.

These three projects were awarded prize money of €100 each.

A special prize of €400 was awarded to the Vogel family for their leased garden in Hildebrandstrasse. A 700 m² gap between buildings was gradually transformed into a natural garden - with vegetable patches, a greenhouse, pond, flowering meadows and "wild corners". The garden is completely free of chemicals and is to be further developed according to permaculture principles in the future. The neighborhood is following the development with great interest and is inspired.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all applicants for their commitment.

Prize for green oases in Jena 2026

The city of Jena would like to invite all owners and designers of ecologically and aesthetically particularly successful green façades, roofs, balconies, front gardens, courtyards and fallow land to apply for the "Prize for Green Oases in Jena 2026". Both long-term and temporary green objects that have an external impact on the urban space are eligible for the award. Applications are open to private individuals, companies, clubs, associations, planning offices and architects who own a green object and/or have created a project and have been authorized by the owner to take part in the competition.

Detailed information on how to apply and application deadlines will be announced at the beginning of 2026.