The Lorenz von Ehren Symposium 2010: Mission Green started successfully

Friday, 10. September 2010 (All day)

The assignment from the citizens of Germany is clear: A representative LvE-forsa-survey has now revealed that high-quality green spaces contribute more to the attractiveness of a town than any other factor. To clarify how a green(er) future can look, the nursery Lorenz von Ehren invited top-class speakers to their annual symposium under the headline "Mission Green".

Fascinated their audience at LvE (from top left) Kai Diekmann, Patrick Cullina, Christopher Bradley-Hole, Andreas Kipar

The 8th LvE symposium started with a surprise: After Katharina von Ehren’s greeting, the presenter Klaus Liedtke, former editor-in-chief of National Geographic and Stern, presented the astounding results of a Forsa survey which the renowned institute had carried out on behalf of Lorenz von Ehren.  According to this survey, 91% of those asked stated that it is first and foremost appealing green spaces which account for the attractiveness of  a city. Therefore, parks are clearly more important for them than a variety of culture and leisure facilities. "I hadn’t expected that in this form" admitted Liedtke.

Also a surprise: The results of the representative survey apply to all age and income groups. Rich or poor, old or young – the Germans are united in their demand to politics for an improvement in the care and maintenance of existing green spaces. However, according to those asked, new green areas should also be developed. Every second person would convert unusual places such as roofs or industrial wasteland for this purpose.

All friends of unusual recreation areas would have been delighted with the day’s first lecture: Patrick Cullina presented the spectacular project "High Line" which is currently sprouting in New York City. A disused elevated railway line in Southwest Manhattan, also known as the Meatpacking District, has been being transformed into a gigantic park on steel stilts since 2006. The first construction section is already finished, the second one should be made accessible to the public in the coming spring.

The specialist representatives present gained received plenty of inspiration for a green future

The second speaker, the editor-in-chief of the BILD - Germany’s newspaper with the highest circulation - had the honour to prove the theory that green has in the meantime become capable of winning a majority. "Decades ago, trees only made it into the newspaper when they stood on Mars" Kai Diekmann said at the start of his lecture, "whereas today a title such as ‘Landlust’ has  a circulation of 700.000." But where does this enormous success of green titles and topics stem from? Since this need is generally a very human one, but is becoming more and more difficult to satisfy in the reality of life, the maker of BILD sees this trend towards nature as "sustainable".

After the interval, the landscape architect Andreas Kipar revealed the fact that Mission Green won’t work without missionary activity during a tour through the extensive nursery quarters. A great deal of convincing was necessary to make his remarkable project "Luthergarten" possible. What is it about? An interactive green monument comprising 500 trees is being developed in Luther’s town of Wittenberg to mark the 500th anniversary of Luther’s famous 95 theses in 2017.  The source of this fascinating idea was the quote attributed to Luther according to which he would plant an apple tree on the day before judgment day.

The last point in a colourful program was set by the British landscape architect and successful author Christopher Bradley-Hole from London. His concept "Down To Earth" captivates with simple shapes and clear lines. Not without reason does the multiple award winning garden planner quote the paintings by Piet Mondrian as his main source of inspiration. "Planting is like painting pictures" is his motto here, but also working on landscapes the specific spirit of which he aims to awaken.

Group picture with lady (from left to right) Klaus Liedtke, Andreas Kipar, Christopher Bradley-Hole, Katharina von Ehren, Kai Diekmann, Patrick Cullina)

In a final address the presenter Klaus Liedtke declared 'Mission Green' to a life-long (survival) task and called on the 300 landscape architects, garden and landscape farmers present, as well as representatives of communes from both inland and abroad: "Let’s plant trees."

Katharina von Ehren, managing director of Lorenz von Ehren was evidently very satisfied with the results of and the feedback from the event: "It is important for us to provide the industry with a regular forum allowing inspiration and exchange. The event  has made it clear that the appreciation of green areas with  trees and plants in public and private spaces is growing constantly. Under these circumstances the industry can look optimistically into the future" the host said.